Jeremy Cook is the Readers’ Choice in this week’s Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge. The winning entry is decided by the popular vote and rewarded with a special feature here today. (In the case of a tie, the writer who submitted an entry first is the winner per our rules.) Without further ado, here’s the winning story:
Accommodations
by Jeremy Cook
Old towns like this fade into the distance. Too small to see in front of you. Too far gone to see behind you.
This place isn’t much. I look up, though, and I see the stars. My senses feel the wind. My memories remember the past, and it’s crystal clear to me.
And I go back quite often. The rubble next door was once hers. One time, when we were together, we found out just how ill made her bedroom wall was.
She moved on, though. Bigger dreams to chase than I could offer her.
I made bigger dreams come true for myself, and I stayed here. Met my wife down the street and went around the world.
But we all have a past, and mine was enjoyable. I learned a lot from her, and I learned a lot here.
I allow myself a visit now and then. She taught me passion, and breathed life into me.
And I offer up hopes that she found the same out there.
I stay just long enough to feel the time, whatever time I want.
Much like an old town, I’m still standing and I’m not quitting.
Soon, I’ll be too small to see in front of you, too far gone to see behind you.
I’m big enough now for those at home, and that’s good enough.
The memories linger, but love remains alive.
Congratulations Jeremy! Nice moody story that reminds us all of young, hometown love!