Picture This
Picture This belongs to the following groups:
! Creative Writing & Poetry !, All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Masterpieces: Literary Workshop, Short stories - Spherical Scriptings, Twisted Tales, Up & Coming Writers, WMG, Writers Edge and Writing: Persuing HappinessFelix grunted as he took the last of the paintings off the wall before carefully descending the step-ladder with it. I had always loved this picture – the vibrant yellows and oranges never failed to raise my spirits and take my breath away at the same time. However, today, a deep sense of sadness washed over me at the realization that this was our last few minutes together.
We had met through a mutual colleague ten years ago and had been together since. Our love of art had been our perfect bond. We both had an adventurous spirit and it was like we were made for each other. We had this perfect chemistry. We knew what the other was going to do, or going to say. The world was ours for the taking.
As always, it was too good to last. He had fallen victim to another woman’s beguiling smile. I didn’t like it one bit; I thought her dangerous to our relationship. In a moment of passionate temper, I had issued an ultimatum. It was her or me. He chose. We were finally going our separate ways, but he was here to help me for the last time before flying to Paris to join her.
With a preciseness I had always found very sexy, he gently lowered the final picture into the lined box, snapping all the clips into place for easy carriage.
Once the box was secured and ready for moving, Felix folded up the stepladder, kissed me on the lips for a final goodbye and abruptly made his way out of the room, not looking back. My bottom lip trembled at the sight of his departing back.
I looked around the empty room. No furniture, no carpet, and just the natural light from the skylights above.
Speaking of which…I glanced up to the sturdy rope ladder swinging down from one of the open skylights, and using the special straps, I hitched the Van Goghs over my shoulder and started to climb.
I wondered how Felix would get on with the Mona Lisa….
© Jeannette Sheehy 2009.
JRGarland
Great story. I especially liked the last line. It was very humorous. Well done.
Jeannette Sheehy replied
thanks very much JR – really appreciate it! :)
wigs
I agree great story…..very well written and an excellent ending…good read
Jeannette Sheehy replied
cheers wigs! Glad you enjoyed it. By the way, I lived in Lindfield and the Heath for 12 years – lived and worked in Perrymount Rd for 8 of them. :) The Star and The Burrell and the Curry Inn next to the Burrell were my favourite Friday night places with my mates! :)
Alison Pearce
Excellent!!
Jeannette Sheehy replied
thanks Alison. :)
Solar Zorra
Oh…got me. Wonderful twist, enjoyable and well written. :) SZ
Jeannette Sheehy replied
wahay! I gotcha! Thanks so much SZ – glad you enjoyed it. :)
ArcadiaTempest
Ahhh you clever minx!! A nice touch to this write….as the reader you are drawn in to characters situation and feel for them departing…And then you twisted me around your pen!! Good stuff :)))
Jeannette Sheehy replied
“clever minx?” haha…I think I like that! Thanks Arcadia – I wondered if it was a little to shallow as I had written it in a bit of a rush. Glad you felt drawn in by the story. :)
Matt Penfold
Great story and twist Jeanette, a clever creation, I can see why you thought his other woman in Paris was dangerous, the security is high in the Louvre :-)
Jeannette Sheehy replied
Cheers Matt :) I remember seeing the ML in the Louvre when I was 18 and being disappointed at its size. The painting that awed me the most there was the one by Gericault called “The Raft of the Medusa”.
nickie2011
tonight i’ve read two of your works. very quirky and witty! great job!
Jeannette Sheehy replied
thanks so much nickie – I really appreciate it! I have just read your Red Dress story – it was very beautifully done. :)
Zolton
Lovely writing, my dear. Ha ha… hope the painting is nice and cozy. And, to Matt, never be disappointed by size. Great story. : )
Jeannette Sheehy replied
cheers Z! I’m sure the painting is nice and cozy…and actually hanging in our office! That’s what inspired me actually…we have a load of Van Gogh prints hanging on the walls here. But no skylights…lol.
Mark Bateman
Hahaha! I was not expecting that one either.. I thought he was saying goodbye to a cat, or a dog.. not as obvious as a woman. And then chikink… well done for story number two!
Jeannette Sheehy replied
thanks Mark…isn’t it funny how when you write a story, you think that people are going to think it so obvious because you know what’s going to happen. I thought people would guess “art thieves” straight away. Glad it got you! :)
anya
Not an expected outcome Jeannette! I loved the smile allegory.
Jeannette Sheehy replied
thank you Anya – still learning, still trying and yet still feel like my stories are so simplistic next to many of you who post. I appreciate your comment. :)
anya
Not at all Jeannette. Not at all. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Your stories are great.
Zolton
Congrats from the hosts of Twisted Tales!
Jeannette Sheehy replied
wow! I just woke up from an afternoon nap after a weekend away and found this! Cheers! :)
Jim Hall
Great story, but i doubt there are any skylights near the Mona at the Louvre.(for obvious reasons) [and I’m partial to her sexiness too] JH
Jeannette Sheehy replied
lol…thanks so much Jim – yes, I expect he would have to find another way to steal the Mona ;)
John Braxton ...
It’s a great story. I like the dialogue and your use of language in creative and you can’t but smile at the ending. Great job.
Jeannette Sheehy replied
thanks very much John – much appreciated! :)
KMorral
Clever set of twists, the woman and the notion of art theft. Very cleverly done, love the drama and the descriptions!
Jeannette Sheehy replied
cheers K! Glad you liked it :)
Rhinovangogh
Cute.
Jeannette Sheehy replied
:0) thanks.
happyfeet5 29 days ago
Great story and read. Love the twist to this. Iris
JaneSolomon 29 days ago
ha! wonderful xx