Oh, Toby, I just LOVED this story of yours, perhaps one of my very favorites. I was totally mesmerized from beginning to end. So many questions came to me: why she didn't call the police, the slowly dawning realization that she was free. It kinda reminded me a little bit of "Story of an Hour," by Kate Chopin. But in this contemporary setting, I think I like your story even more, because of course it doesn't end the same way. Mrs. Mallard dies (perhaps as literary retribution for committing the mad crime of feeling finally free of her patriarchal husband); but Roberta lives! A much happier reconciliation to her dilemma. Well done!
Thanks Nancy!! As I was writing this story, I could feel the stress in every part of my body. The only thing I was sure of was that the story had to end without an explanation about the disappearance.
Yes, I wondered about this. I thought about it as I was reading it myself, Toby. That you had narrative choices here and I kept wondering if Gerald was going to knock on that door. But while in Chopin's short story, the husband does knock, in your version of events, there is no knock. Once Roberta gets over the shock and worry, she begins to settle down, and the reader can really follow where this whole thing is leading her. This is her chance, a chance of a lifetime, to claim her life on her terms. I really love the ending you created. Just as a mind game, I wonder what would have happened to her if Gerald had come back....Hmmmmm...
I am working on another story now with different characters and a different type of disappearance where the husband DOES come back and the wife has to make a crucial choice.
What a mesmerizing story! Roberta waits and waits to declare her husband's disappearance until it's too late and the reader is left to decide does she want to dissappear or is she punishing herself.
Oh, Toby, I just LOVED this story of yours, perhaps one of my very favorites. I was totally mesmerized from beginning to end. So many questions came to me: why she didn't call the police, the slowly dawning realization that she was free. It kinda reminded me a little bit of "Story of an Hour," by Kate Chopin. But in this contemporary setting, I think I like your story even more, because of course it doesn't end the same way. Mrs. Mallard dies (perhaps as literary retribution for committing the mad crime of feeling finally free of her patriarchal husband); but Roberta lives! A much happier reconciliation to her dilemma. Well done!
Thanks Nancy!! As I was writing this story, I could feel the stress in every part of my body. The only thing I was sure of was that the story had to end without an explanation about the disappearance.
Yes, I wondered about this. I thought about it as I was reading it myself, Toby. That you had narrative choices here and I kept wondering if Gerald was going to knock on that door. But while in Chopin's short story, the husband does knock, in your version of events, there is no knock. Once Roberta gets over the shock and worry, she begins to settle down, and the reader can really follow where this whole thing is leading her. This is her chance, a chance of a lifetime, to claim her life on her terms. I really love the ending you created. Just as a mind game, I wonder what would have happened to her if Gerald had come back....Hmmmmm...
I am working on another story now with different characters and a different type of disappearance where the husband DOES come back and the wife has to make a crucial choice.
Can’t wait!
What a mesmerizing story! Roberta waits and waits to declare her husband's disappearance until it's too late and the reader is left to decide does she want to dissappear or is she punishing herself.
Thank you Wendi. I appreciate your comment.
I really enjoyed it. Using regular words like Great, Fantastic, Wonderful, can not express the value of writing like this. 💐👏👏👏
Thanks Mehrdad!!
What an interesting story. By one person disappearing it gave permission for the spouse to do so also.