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Would I Ever..., by Jim Bartlett

29/1/2021

 
Stretching his legs over the table’s long bench, Pete wiggles into his favorite corner for lunch. Not that a hard seat or the noisy school cafeteria make this particular spot all that appealing, but rather, from here, Pete can steal admiring glances at MaryBeth Carmichael, who sits at the table’s opposite corner.

But today, just when he turns for that secret peek, she suddenly looks up, catching Pete staring. She smiles, sending Pete’s heart into a flutter, then curls her finger, gesturing him over her way. As if magic were in that call, he finds himself floating around the table’s end, then standing beside her, albeit on wobbly legs.

There, she gazes up at him, her eyes filled with the glow and warmth of the sun and moon.

“I’ve been watching you,” she confesses.

“Would you like to go to a movie?” he asks, his voice shaking.

“Oh, boy, would I ever...”

* *

At their favorite booth, in their favorite restaurant, Pete sits staring at MaryBeth. She seems to know and turns, catching his gaze. She does that little curl with her finger, but, rather than lean over to give her a kiss, he slides around the table and drops to his knee. Taking her hand into his, he soaks in her sunshine eyes.

“Would you marry me?” he asks, his voice shaking.

Her face beams a smile that sends his heart into a flutter. “Oh, boy, would I ever...”

* *

Just home from another long day at work, Pete takes his seat at their tiny dinette table. He’s hungry, and the spaghetti, despite being the third day in row they’ve had it, looks good, but for the moment, he’d rather take in the warmth of MaryBeth’s sunlit eyes. Yet, there’s something different today, as even her face seems aglow.

“Would you like it if I told you you’re going to be a daddy?” she asks, her voice shaking.

“Oh, boy, would I ever...”

* *

Pete answers his phone on the first ring, after all, it’s Lisa, their daughter. As she speaks excitedly, he finds himself, almost as if by magic, floating around their kitchen’s large island and standing beside MaryBeth. Her eyes, though glowing with the warmth of the sun and moon, are filled with curiosity.

“Would you like it if I said that you’re going to be a grandma?” he asks, his voice shaking.

She smiles that smile that makes his heart flutter. “Oh, boy, would I ever...”

* *

Holding hands as they stare at the cake, “50 Years,” iced along the top, Pete turns from the large crowd of family and friends so he can stare instead at MaryBeth. She meets his gaze, her eyes filled with the warmth and glow of the sun and moon, then smiles. It’s then he realizes that even after all these years her smile still causes his heart to flutter.

“Would you do it all over again,” he asks, his voice shaking.

“Oh, boy, would I ever...”
​
michael McCarthy
29/1/2021 04:09:48 pm

this is such a good feel good story of generations and a clever idea to repeat the phrase, it enhances to the narrative. perfect!

Jim link
29/1/2021 04:24:59 pm

Thanks so much, Michael. If the story could be longer, would I repeat that phase again?
Oh, boy, would I ever...

Take care
Jim

Michael Roberts
29/1/2021 04:27:22 pm

It's a great take on a classic theme. Well done.

Jim link
29/1/2021 04:48:19 pm

Thanks, Michael! Yup - pretty much a classic theme, but one I hope we see over and over again...

Take care
Jim

Marjan sierhuis
29/1/2021 04:52:42 pm

A lovely feel good kind of story. Just what the doctor ordered. Thank you, Jim.

Jim link
29/1/2021 05:04:52 pm

Thanks ever so much, Marjan. Guess we need a feel good something every now and again, eh?
Take care
Jim

Doug
29/1/2021 06:38:35 pm

Very nicely done Jim. Thanks.

Jim link
29/1/2021 06:54:53 pm

Thanks so much for the kind comments, Doug!

Take care
Jim

Mike B
29/1/2021 09:40:54 pm

Loved it Jim!!! Such a Feel Good Story, I found myself looking forward to the repeated line. I can really relate to your story in so many ways.
A Great reminder that even with all negative that is going on in the world, life can still be Good...

Jim link
30/1/2021 01:48:48 am

Thanks so much, Mike. So glad you enjoyed it. Yeah, with all the negative out there, it feels good to have a sappy happy story every once in a while ;-)

Take care
Jim

Pamela Kennedy
29/1/2021 10:47:47 pm

LOVELY!!!

Jim link
30/1/2021 01:49:42 am

Thanks ever so much, Pamela!!

Take care
Jim

Andrew Carter
30/1/2021 03:46:06 am

Having never married, nor had children, your story gave deeper insight into how wonderful it would be. Heartfelt thanks, Jim.

Jim link
30/1/2021 04:06:43 pm

Thanks so much, Andrew. Not every marriage (or relationship) works out like this, one has to be able to see the sun and moon in someone else's eyes, which, with all the fog out there, can be hard. But it can and does happen. I really appreciate your comments!
Take care
Jim

Sue Clayton
30/1/2021 04:40:14 am

Lovely. Just lovely. I so much enjoyed the first reading that I read it over again at once.

Jim link
30/1/2021 03:53:37 pm

You are too kind, Sue. Thanks ever so much. I am so glad you enjoyed it!

Take care
Jim

Mary Wallace
30/1/2021 11:38:41 am

Oh boy Jim, this melted my heart. Truly lovely. Thankyou.

Jim link
30/1/2021 03:55:02 pm

And thank you for your lovely comments, Mary. I always appreciate them.

Take care
Jim

Carol Garrasi
30/1/2021 01:55:06 pm

I confess you made me tear up just a little. So very sweet. Beautiful little Valentine's tale. Thanks Jim......you're my favorite author.

JIm link
30/1/2021 03:56:44 pm

And you are very sweet with your kind comments, Carol. Favorite author, eh? Are you now taking up fiction? ;-)
Thanks ever so much - so glad you enjoyed it.

Take care
Jim

Michael Roberts
30/1/2021 05:58:50 pm

The response to this story makes me wonder if FFF should institute a Story of The Month thing....Either a small prize or merely bragging rights and the opportunity to publish an extra story per week or something.

Jim link
1/2/2021 08:57:34 pm

A story of the month might be fun, but Gordon does this by himself, so I'm not sure he's looking for any additional work. The current "contests" are funded by donations from our wonderful authors, so bragging rights might seem the better option. Good thoughts, though, Michael.
Take care
Jim

Marjan sierhuis
2/2/2021 01:59:07 pm

Thank you, Jim for sharing this important piece of information. Without the hard work and dedication of our 'lone ranger,' there wouldn't be a Friday Flash Fiction. Have a great day.

Marjan


Comments are closed.

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    ​Please note that we tend to post longer flash fiction exactly as we find it – wrong spacing, everything.

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