The following is an extremely short story I wrote for a competition about ten years ago. Won me first prize and had me published in an e-magazine. Oh the fame, oh the glory... not!
Still, enjoy and comment if you wish. As in, feel free to point out any bad grammar or spelling! ;-)
The Emotional Stand of Abigail Blair
(Letter to a bemused man.)
By Janis Hill
(Letter to a bemused man.)
By Janis Hill
Dear John,
This is it! I have finally decided that your attentions towards me are no longer suitable for a girl of my standing and I am calling it off.
I remember the first time I saw you walk through the door at Periwinkles cafe. Your polite smile and gentle tone simply made me weak at the knees. When I took your order I fair blushed, later blaming it on the steam from the cappuccino machine when asked by Clare.
Imagine my delight and contentment when you came again the next day and the day after that. It thrilled me that you even remembered my name without having to look at the nametag I wore. I became a big fan of lemon meringue after that, I even tried my hand at making it one time for you. Admittedly it wasn't a very good attempt, but still you ate it with your daily coffee and never spoke of it. Such a truly kind thing, it touched me deeply to see you eat every part of it as if it was fine.
Of late I have seen you frequenting that sandwich bar across the road instead of Periwinkles. At first I tried to tell myself it was simply because you didn't have the luxury to spend half an hour within my quiet little world with coffee, cake and book. I know now I was merely fooling myself, I knew there was another reason. Then I saw her.
Not only did you parade up and down the street with her in your arms, but you then started bringing her into the cafe too. Surely you realised how hurtful this was, to see her sitting with, you sharing your cake.
I really must protest about such behaviour happening in front of me, spoon feeding her, really! I blamed a lot on the cappuccino machine that month.
I often wonder where you got her from. She didn't show any of the finer qualities you displayed and often dribbled food on the table when you weren't looking.
No John, this is it. You've been coming into Periwinkles now for just sixteen months and twelve days and I have decided the infatuation must now stop!
Not once have you seemed to notice me as more than just 'today's waitress'! I tried wearing nicer clothes, expensive perfume, changing my hairstyle, nothing!
From now on Clare will be serving you as I have completely lost all inclination of waiting for you to show me any emotions at all. All plans and ideas I had for a relationship are completely at an end. I know it will be hard for you to take, but I am sure we can be strong, be adults and put it all behind us.
I had hoped for so much more from you John, and all I got every day was a smile and polite word. Best luck to you and your baby daughter.
Regards,
Abigail Blair.
