SHORT STORY

Sealed With a Kiss (Part Two)

Caroline was recovering from an all-night writing session…

READ PART ONE HERE

Thank you to Susi Moore for this great prompt in Writing Prompt for Aspiring Writers (1).

Caroline pushed open the double windows leading out into the alleyway. She’d been up all night writing, and her modest studio apartment needed airing out. Things hadn’t gone quite as planned when she left Carl. As bad as things had gotten between them, in the end she’d remembered the good times. That had always been her way.

She’d spent a few months jet-setting across Europe, going to all of the places that Carl had promised to take her. She visited the Louvre and saw the Mona Lisa. She was stunning. Caroline felt a solemn connection with her right away.

She ate lunch under the Eiffel Tower. Perspective is so powerful. Most people may remember the iconic image of the Eiffel Tower from straight on. But she’d always remember it from underneath.

She spent time in Florence, Prague, and Amsterdam. And she felt herself getting inspired again, and there was a freshness to it. A feeling she hadn’t felt in years. She hadn’t realized how much she was under Carl’s spell.

For years she’d waited for things to change. To get back to the way they once were. She’d become stagnant, stuck, set in her ways. She continued to write every day, even during the long periods of isolation. But the words on the page felt empty somehow.

Now things were different. She blew through most of her savings traveling. And, sure she was stuck in a studio in Queens. Despite the vast differences in living conditions, she was happy. She was used to the finer things. But the life that Queens provided was rich and colorful. She’d go to the farmers market every afternoon, and she was cooking again. And there was music.

She found an old record player at a flea market. And she purchased some Jazz albums. Now, Dinah Washington and Ella Fitzgerald guided her way into the evenings, as she stood over her stove with all of her fresh ingredients.

Her next book advance was due to arrive any day now, and she planned to use it frugally. She wasn’t spending money on frivolities anymore. She decided to live a simpler life.

Caroline sent for her clothes and sentimental items as soon as she’d gotten settled. And Carl had been happy to oblige. He included a letter in with her things. He apologized for allowing the years to get away from him, and not appreciating her more. She spent an entire day sobbing over that kindness.

She wrapped herself in that same silk robe she wore that last day at Carl’s. She was exhausted, but in a good way. And as she got ready to take a quick nap, she smiled to herself. All of her experiences with Carl and with her travels, had led to this very moment. And she felt content.

Thank you for reading my story. I’d love to hear your opinions.

You can check out some more of my writing, and follow me here. (She, Her) I am a writer and a freelance editor. I edit all genres, and I specialize in Romance. I write a little bit of everything, whatever is on my mind at the moment. Get an email when I publish a new story.

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