when we met
you said you would do
anything to get money
in order to take care of me.
you bought me furs, diamonds,
two, no three, trips to paris.
i never asked how you paid.
why would i?
why should i?
i was hopelessly
ecstatically in love.
marriage was never mentioned.
i didn’t reveal
boring, unimpressive tom.
avoided asking if you had a wife
or children.
today, flying high over the lake
you, at last, reveal your secret.
tom, you say, is tired of me.
has paid for everything.
you inform me
the final payment arrived today
then shove me out the door.
Lake Whatcom is about a half-mile from my house.
Up From the Ashes 
Oh my!
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Thanks.
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Woah! That was brilliant. Loved the ending.
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Thanks so much. I woke up at 3:00 am this morning thinking it was kind of a wonky story. Glad you liked it.
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Nothing is what it seems at first
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True dat. Thanks, Neil.
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Great lead upl and a piece that tells a whole story. It just goes to show how money and boredom seem to go hand in hand.
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Thank you, James. This dove-tails off a well-woven story I just read about deceit in marriage.
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Wow, you’ve managed to convey so much in so few words!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Money can’t buy happiness, so they say. Well done.
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And I’m pretty sure they’re right. Thanks, Iain.
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Thanks, Susan.
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Way to go, I guess. Such an intricate deception.
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Thanks, Sandra. I just read a well-woven story about deception in marriage. The A-HA moment at the end made me green with envy.
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She should have asked more questions. Now it’s too late. A good, well-written story, Alicia.
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Love is blind, so they say. And, I have been there. Thanks.
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He took care of her in more ways than one. Re-punctuate that opening stanza, and you foreshadow the murder – clever writing, Lish!
A brutal, well-written story.
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Thanks, Penny. (re-punctuate? How? All suggestions are so appreciated.)
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Sorry, Lish – I wasn’t implying that you could have improved the punctuation. But if the reader punctuates it as
when we met
you said you would do
anything to get money.
in order to take care of me,
you bought me furs, diamonds,
two, no three, trips to paris.
then you have the story in miniature. The killer will do anything for money, and uses furs, diamonds and trips to Paris as bait, so he can ‘take care of’ his victim.
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Changing the period to a comma changes everything!
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It does! I left it as it is because I thought it fit better. anything to get money
in order to take care of me: take care of me financially plus take care of me “in the end.” Thank you both for your input. Punctuation is often a ballywick for me.
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i feel sorry for her. sad story.
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Yeh, but she was also having an affair. Of course, that doesn’t mean she had to die. Thanks for reading.
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I do hope you can swim, Alicia!
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No worries! I was a lifeguard in a previous life.
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Dear Lish,
Oh my. Boring Tom had a plan didn’t he? That’s a helluva a way to divorce. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Woah. He took care of her, all right.
So that’s how divorces work in Salamander County, eh? I think I’ll stay close to the East Coast, thank you very much!
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Salamander County is a little rough around the edges. That’s why I try to be super nice to Donn and steer him away from friends with floatplanes. Thanks bunches for reading my wee tale and leaving a comment.
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Rochelle, that’s what happens when I read stories about murder and mayhem.
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I had to read this twice.
So very good, Alicia.
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Thanks, Dale. You just made my day.
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Oy. Was not expecting that! I guess she didn’t mean much to either of the men.
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Sometimes money means more than a life. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
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It’s easy not to ask too many questions when you have everything you think you want, afraid of what the answers may hold.
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So true! Thanks, Ali.
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Dirty rascal.
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Indeed!
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So much packed in. Great job!
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Thank you.
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Wow, such a great twist. Nicely done!!
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Thanks.
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Scoundrel – goodness gosh – Don’t sell yourself short – Men really are scoundrels!
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They sure can be! Luckily I got me a good one. Thanks, Nan.
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Eeerp oh dear. She should have asked more questions I fear. Too late now
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Indeed! Thanks, Laurie.
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