In An Instant

How life can change oh so quickly

I sat quietly watching her. She drank coffee whilst flicking through a gossipy magazine, pausing briefly every now and again to read a few lines or study a photo. I smiled to myself remembering our meeting, the pair of us worse for wear, booze, in a crowded Tenerife bar. We pretty much spent the whole of the next week together, drinking, laughing, loving.
When back in the UK 400 miles separated us , Scotland her home, England mine. As promised, a letter, the first of many written by, lay waiting on her return from holiday (she had stayed on for an extra week ). I told her over and over how much I loved her, missed her, needed her, and that one day we would be married. That was June 1991.
October 1991 she moved down to be at my side. We married in October 1993.
Our daughter was born in November 2000, her mother's double. Beautiful, funny, clever, a most warm, generous human being, the Apple, orchard of my eye. Life has been nothing but great....25years of bliss.

" Have you any regrets " she once asked me, meaning of our life together.

" Only that we didn't meet earlier."

The doorbell rang. She placed the magazine on the cushion beside her.

" Mrs Jacky Stevenson " asked the young policeman.

" Yes, is there something wrong ? "

" Can we come inside Jacky" asked the young WPC.

As I left, she sat in stunned silence.......

Author's Note

Hope you enjoyed. This is very much true to my life (apart from my demise.... obviously)

Reviews

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Another blow to the solar plexus! Beautiful story- and reality. Love how you tenderly and lovingly chronicle the story of your marriage. But the shock at the end made my heart flutter- literally! Please stay around for a very long time and write very much more poetry my friend!

[Gee]

Thank you. Hopefully I've still a few years left in me.

[Tony Jordan]

Caught me out here Gee.
I was not expecting that!
Gave me a shiver - hope your no Nostradamus...!!

[Gee]

Me too my friend, me too. Cheers

[Ana Papaya]

eerie... and what a fine ending. unexpected.
so good, GEE. so good. created such a big pause as it sank in. good work

[Gee]

Thanks Ana...

[emmajoy]

'In an instant' - such an appropriate title. I really wasn't ready for that finish. It's hard to say more, don't want to give the game away.. Such a finely laid, unforced lead-up.. and then..

[Gee]

Thanks Emma...

[andrew mitchell]

jesus you died and came back as a writer! a nice write gee and a tribute on the love you share and the love of your life.

[Gee]

Cheers mate. When life is so good you know sooner or later a little unhappiness will come along to spoil

[andrew mitchell]

as long as it doesnt come in threes.

[andrew mitchell]

Yes like the brawler stokes .we might beat you guys yet!

[Gee]

The media are saying it is one of the weakest squads ever assembled so if you don't beat them my friend, shame on you. Hope you are well Andrew

[jayanth]

wonderful piece of writing , loved the way you took us all in. it reminds of something i have written something similar . do check it out when you're free. its called ' the best 30 seconds of my life '.

really love it . cheers .

[Gee]

Thank you, will do

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Captivating and with a surprise twist I did not see coming. Well written Gee.
One line:
'I told over and over how much I loved her, missed her....' Maybe 'told her?

[Gee]

Thank yo John

[Lorry]

Well, you know us Scots stick together Gee, so my first thought was "Right, what's he done?" Then I thought "Should have stayed in Tenerife, no extradition."
Superb short story, reflecting more than a little maybe, back at the author and the thoughts we have of losing or being taken from our loved ones.

[Gee]

Reflecting mainly on me and fears, if that the right word.
Cheers Nemo

[Stacy Purvis]

This is about your death? I almost thought it was about you getting arrested for some reason...lol.
It's an excellent read. I love it.

[Gee]

Sometimes I get to thinking how great life is and sort of expect the wheels to come off.
Easy to see how you thought I was getting carted off by the law. Funny thing is my wife read this, as did a couple of her friends and all three shed a tear.
Thank you for commenting

[Stacy Purvis]

Why is that funny? If this piece is about your death, of course someone as intimate as your wife would shed a tear.

[Stacy Purvis]

Gotcha... 😉

[Nigel Newman]

Wow! Beautifully written and envious of such happy years together. Wasn't expecting that ending - I don't read death like some other folk. I see you having committed a grave misdemeanour. Suddenly all those things we thought we knew about someone are undermined. What were they taking 'you' away for? You've left us hanging!

Nice work
Nigel

[Gee]

Take Nigel, afraid it was my death, much to the disbelief of my wife as her friends when they read earlier ( shedding a tear)
Perhaps we all get to witness the " reveal " before we disappear forever