I was exhausted, angry at Bob for not picking me up at the airport, and regretful of the argument I’d had with my parents as I left their Florida condo to return to Boston.
It was 10 p.m. when the taxi stopped in front of my brownstone on Commonwealth Ave. The driver pulled out my suitcase and waited for his fare. He’d not spoken a word the short trip from Logan to my place, and now he just held out his hand for the $20 I placed there. With no thanks for the $5 tip, he got back in his yellow cab and sped off.
I picked up my bag, which seemed lighter than I remembered from this morning, and walked into my unlit second story studio. So, Bob didn’t even bother to come to welcome me home. Well, as far as I was concerned, Bob could go to hell. And once I’d had a good night’s sleep, I would tell him that. I’d wait for dinner tomorrow to officially break up with him. This one-year relationship had turned into six months of disappointments. I didn’t know why I’d held on so long.
As I pulled my suitcase up on my bed and unclasped it, I acknowledged to myself that I did know why I’d waited so long. Bob was gorgeous. He was wealthy, and he was my parent’s best friends’ son’s former Harvard college roommate.
Thus, now another reason for my parents to be disappointed in me.
Too bad.
I yanked open the suitcase.
My mind wouldn’t grasp what I was looking at. It surely wasn’t my pearl silk blouse and gray slacks, nor my jeans and pink cotton shirt.
No, it was a women’s flimsy nightgown of diaphanous blue, a man’s black silk robe, a shaving kit, and a box of chocolates.
And that was it.
I closed the top and stared at the anonymous brown bag. Not mine. Looked like mine. But not.
And now what was I supposed to do? I opened the top again and pulled out the chocolates.
The box was unopened.
SO FAR . . . .
Ha, ha! I would sit back, catch my breath and enjoy those chocolates.
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I would too, although it would depend if they were dark or milk chocolate…. 🙂
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Oh this is interesting. Please go on😊
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Hmmm, perhaps I should. I’d love to see what happens next, and I think she might have some interesting adventure coming up….
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Do we really have to wait until next week? 🙂
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Sweet, Jill. I didn’t plan on a follow-up, but really, what DOES happen to those chocolates? Stay tuned for next Friday…. xo
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I agree with the others, the chocolates are finished now! Who could resist them?
Now, please do go on, cliffhangers should only last that long. 🙂
All the best
miriam
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Okay, Miriam. You twisted my arm (and my writing pen). Stay tuned for next Friday… ❤
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I hope they’re REALLY good chocolates! 🙂
(And since older daughter lives in Boston, I can picture the trip and Commonwealth Ave.)
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My daughter lived right off Newbury Street when she was single- how cool to live in Boston! Yes, Commonwealth Ave is gorgeous – I run/walk the Tufts 10K every fall, when they close down that street and much of the area around the Charles River. What a way to see Boston. You should consider coming for that and participating with your daughter. We could meet up! 🙂
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That would be fun–though I would definitely be walking more than running. 🙂
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🚶🏻♀️🚶🏻♀️👌
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Ahhhh… Now that’s fun. Until next time?..:)
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Check in next Friday. Let’s see what happens to that box of chocolates… 🙂
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A good one. Some days are just like that! Can´t wait for more.
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Some days ARE like that, aren’t they. ;-0 But chocolate always makes it better. xo
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Ooooh!!! You got my attention, eager for more, but first I have to go find some chocolate to eat. 🙂
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Fiction should always be read with a perfect box of chocolates near by… 🙂
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Oops wrong luggage but hey she can try to find the owner and maybe he’ll become the “suitable’ suitor. I don’t like suspense but I hope that you’ll continue with “Mr. Wrong.” However, I don’t think you finished some of the other flash fiction that you have posted here unless you are now turning some or one of those stories into a book.
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I hadn’t considered finding out what happens after the ‘So Far,’ but you and others have convinced me that I should allow my pen to flow on and give us some answer. Tune in next Friday – and thanks SO MUCH for enjoying my flashes of flash fiction. xo
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Chocolate is always a good cliffhanger! 😄
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You are so right, Carrie. Can’t miss with chocolates in a piece of fiction. A cream-centered hook. 🙂
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And? And? And?
Have a great weekend Pam!
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Hope you’re enjoying your weekend, Sharon. I’m savoring the (finally) warmth of June, and a bit of inspiration to ‘follow the box of chocolates’ and see what happens with the A N D? 🙂
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I will be watching! ☺️
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Makes my palms sweaty thinking about arriving home with the wrong suitcase! Next chapter please and thank you and a chocolate on the side.
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With all of your traveling adventures, Sue, I bet you do flinch at the idea of a suitcase switch. Has that never happened to you…yet? Tune in next Friday to see what happens with this suitcase fiasco. I’m rather curious myself….. ;-0
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It has never happened but your story makes me curious that’s for sure.
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What a dilemma!! I mean it’s no problem to pick up the phone and say you got the wrong luggage, but what excuse could you find for the chocolates to have been eaten – because you know they will be! At least, if they’re a good brand, they will be. Just be sure to wipe the chocolate off your chin when they come to get the suitcase. Good story,.
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Ha ha. Yes, what if the dark chocolate cherry juice is still dripping from her chin when the right suitcase arrives? I’m going to continue this flash fiction piece to find out…. xo
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LOLOL!~ I love it!
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Pam, I like the pun in the title, which unfolds much later…strange that the cab driver didn’t even thank, quite unlikely…looking forward to the fate of the ‘the wrong one’!
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Ummm, have you ever driven in a cab in Boston? If so, you wouldn’t find it unlikely that the driver is a bit brusque. ;-0 Perhaps this driver just needed some chocolate to sweeten him up. 🙂
Yes, stay tuned next week to find out what happens with that WRONG one…. ❤
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When in doubt . . . eat chocolate!
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Chocolate never disappoints…. (particularly if it’s dark). 🙂
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More please…. 😉
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I can never say no to you, Courtney. Okay, yes, let’s see what happens with that suitcase…and candy. 🙂 xo
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Like your other readers, you have intrigued me to read more. I can’t wait!!
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I’m rather intrigued with the suitcase and its belongings also, Donna. Yes-I’m going to keep on writing and see what happens here. Stay tuned! 😘
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I hope there’s more…
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Not sure there will be any more chocolate-but more story next Friday. 😛
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You know Pam, I know someone that picked up the wrong suitcase and ended up with a bunch of dirty underwear . I love See’s candy.
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Ugh, Gerlinde! I’d much prefer a box of See’s than dirty underwear. To prevent such a suitcase switch, I keep a pink bow on my suitcase handle. How many people are brave/girly enough to tie a pink frilly bow on their luggage? 🙂
YES, See’s is my favorite candy for sure. Every time I go back to the SF Bay area, I buy a box and savor it for weeks. Talk about will power….!!!
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You do know how to weave a story. Kudos to you. I enjoyed it very much.
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Thanks for enjoying my flash of suitcase fiction. Upon the urging of many others, I shall continue the story next Friday and see where it goes. Will any chocolates be left in that box in a week???? 🙂
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My guess is, being a chocolate eater myself, probably not. 🙂
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😂
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So you ate them, right?
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Tune in on Friday 💜
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Your flash fiction was fun. I think it nicely stands alone. Look forward to next Friday!
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Thanks Patricia. I posted it as a standalone but I’m thrilled that so many want to see what happens next. A bit of pressure on me though! 😳
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Oh how intriguing Pam! I hope they are really chocolates and not a pair of socks in a chocolate box (like my dad got at Christmas from his mother – to the extreme disappointment of us six children waiting all morning for him to share his ‘chocolates’ with us). 😀 I can’t wait to hear how this one ends xxxx
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Oh now, Dianne, that’s a funny story! Socks in a chocolate box? That’s almost down right torture. What a tremendous disappointment! I have a feeling the next flash of this fiction will be less disappointing…
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Intriguing, Pam. Would love to know the owner of the case.
(BTW. I checked Amazon again. I definitely can’t find Bert and Bessie anywhere. :()
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I’m going to email you with my publisher’s info – must get to the bottom of this!
I think next week’s installment of The Wrong One may answer a few questions, and raise a few more. ;-0
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Thank you, Pam. It’s disappointing that your book doesn’t seem to be readily accessible from Australia. I saw your email, and hers, come through this morning. Will get to it as soon a I’ve responded to comments. 🙂
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A real “cliff hanger.” I can’t wait to see what happens next but I would definitely enjoy that whole box of chocolates.
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I think a lot of us would give up a pair of slacks and a blouse for a box of Sees chocolates! 🤗
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Handsome man, full box pf chocolates? Things can’t be too bad!!
Really enjoyed this and can’t wait for the sequel!
Peta
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Thanks Peta – it’s kind of fun just writing for the pure joy of entertainment!
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Fun! Oh, those See’s chocolates wouldn’t have lasted two seconds around me. 😉
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Milk chocolate or dark, Britt?
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Definitely dark! Used to be a milk chocolate girl as a kid, but now I can’t stand it.
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Exactly the same with me…
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Ooooh you left us hanging! I wonder if she’s going to eat the chocolates as she ponders what words to use when she sees Bob next… Great writing!
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Thank you, Christy. I have been spurred on to continue. Stay tuned for next Friday’s installment. xo
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Ohhhh how exciting! xx
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Well there’s always a silver lining and maybe those chocolates were it….or maybe not, perhaps you’ll tell us soon…
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You make me think philosophically, Andrea. Probably because your posts are so philosophical and poetic. But there are silver linings in many different endeavors and challenges in life, aren’t there? Let’s see on Friday if this character finds one.
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Wow, Pam – this is a gripper! oxox,
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Thanks Leslie! Stay tuned on Friday. And keep on unpacking. XO
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Definitely looking forward to next week’s installment! What a cliffhanger!
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More like a ‘chocolate’hanger 🤗
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More please!!
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If you insist 😁 Revving up my creative pen…
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After a day like that, I’d open the chocolates before contemplating the next move…
Pam, I’m hooked from the start where you easily managed to introduce the character, her mood, the fight with her parents and disappointment with Bob as well as the location! Very well done…just one snag….I / we all want more!! No pressure. haha! 😀😃
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You are smoothing my writing feathers in such a sweet way. Thank you! Let’s see what she does on Friday… 💓
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Love it! Ok, need more. Pass me a chocolate . . . oh, that’s only if they’re milk not dark, lol 🙂 xx
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Perfect. You can have all the milk chocolate and I’ll take all the dark. 🙂
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I have just been munching on Moser-Roth 70% dark chocolates reading this cliffhanger . . . we do deserve a follow-up soon, you know!
Also this morning, ordered Birds of Paradise for grand-daughter Jenna’s birthday. It been a great day so far.
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I’m salivating at the thought of your dark chocolate, and I’m celebrating that you’ll soon be able to read Birds of Paradise to Jenna! Yay! xo ❤
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Pingback: Summertime Baggage | roughwighting
Ooh, I’m glad I’m late reading this. Without delay, I can head on over to part two…
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😘
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Aha! I read these two posts out of order. I can’t believe she ate his chocolates!!! Ha ha. Now he’s at the door. AWKWARD. Love it, Pam. Your writing makes me smile.
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I love the idea of making you smile while you read my stories. Thanks for enjoying my little flashes of fiction. xo
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Pingback: THE SWITCH | roughwighting
Starting this with my afternoon coffee. Must read the others!
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