She stared out across the water. Her mind lapping like the waves on the edge of the lake. Repeating her story to herself, but adding another line each time. Her life had changed, her plans gone awry, was there signals she missed? Probably. She had wanted the cliché. The house, the husband, the dog and the kids. She fought with everything she could, sometimes risking that which she hadn’t meant to. She had almost got it all. Almost.
The dog was an easy win, who doesn’t love dogs? Convincing him of the house move trickier but manageable. Some thought her husband meek but he could be stubborn when he wanted to. The wedding was a much harder challenge but eventually, she got there. Finally, she was ready for the children to come along.
Yet… as more and more time went in, the dreamed of pregnancy just didn’t happen. Cracks in her perfectly laid plans began to appear elsewhere. Strains that had been glossed over now bowed under pressure. Eventually, the talk was had. The perfectly planned life unravelled. One got the dog, the other the house. The title of husband and wife was vandalised with the “EX-“ prefix. So here she was, alone, in front of the wild lake.
Yet, life gave lessons, not curses. The wild lake representing what she needed, giving her time to cleanse, revive and refresh her life. Time to make some new plans…
“So lovely was the loneliness of a wild lake.”
Edgar Allan PoeOriginally written in response to Writer’s Quote Wednesday Writing Challenge (#WQWWC) and FOWC with Fandango — Meek.
“As exciting, difficult and memorable as our past can be, there comes a time when we have to get on with living.”
Patrick Carman, The Tenth City
I realise this is quite a melancholic post this week. I have someone on my mind. Someone I used to know well but life presented some challenges, as life often does, and now they are no longer part of my life. Even though that is the case, I still wish them luck and happiness on their quest. Water after all is the best symbol for refreshment there is.
Take Care.
KL
New2Writing 
It’s a sad story but it’s true for many. I hope this breakup leads to something better and more permanent.
Thanks, I hope so too, for both parties. KL ❤
You’re welcome! 🙏
I could have been reading about me KL. I got a husband, house and dog, but the kids didn’t come along and the ‘positive’ result was intended for someone else, so when it turned out I wasn’t expecting, I was gutted. I got the Ex bit too…………. custody of the dog and car loan as I needed a car
for work.
Next up was house, partner, his kids, dogs, debt and finally discovering it wasn’t me he wanted, but what I could do for him.
Now: husband, house, pending dog when we find one, and too old for kids. Wouldn’t change that.
I’m so glad you found your happy ending, sometimes it’s just a little different to those original plans. KL ❤
Hubby and I learned a long time ago that for us it doesn’t pay to ‘plan’. We can have a basic idea and go with that but to actually set out a full bodied plan never worked.
Nicely done KL. very poignant
Thank you :). KL ❤
Well done, and a melancholy piece, but sounds like she is better off without him.
Two sides to every story. As they say, the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. KL ❤
Such a melancholic story but it’s a reality for many. I hope that it leads to something better for her
Life brings its disappointment but it also brings joy. May the light shine on you
Thank you. That’s such a lovely comment. KL ❤
A very sad story true but you have perfectly told us the story and given us a satisfying if no happy result. Very well written 💜
Thank you so much. KL ❤
💜💜
So very well written and pertinent to so many!
Thank you Peter. KL ❤
So, tough. Beautifully written, KL.
I think this shows why planning is a bad idea. Just go with the daily flow!
Thank you. I like a bit of planning but I’m often happy to go with flow too, so often in life you have to. KL ❤
I agree. I love to plan my stories but it is nice to just go for it sometimes.
It is a short story, but good that she got out. Sometimes when we plan, we don’t have a clue of what we are actually in for. This is such a thought-provoking story, KL. I love it.
My mom never fully recovered as her dreams crumbled. She couldn’t believe he didn’t want the same dreams she did. She left the house and most of the comforts she might have had if she’d stayed but gave us an adventure of a lifetime. But she never got over the feeling of failure. When Dad got sick and died, she finally realized that divorce was the only thing that made sense. She couldn’t have compromised to the point of living his dreams.
Thank you, Marsha. I think that is true for so many. I mean, we often compromise with our partners but that compromise should never be to the point that one is unhappy with the outcome. Besides, if everyone lived the same perfect happily ever after formula life would be so boring. I love that life and families come in so many different shapes and sizes. KL ❤
True that! We do keep reworking the some of the same old problems, though as we morph a little. I think I am pretty boring, actually. Maybe there’s a way to convince people that boring is beautiful 🙂
Nature is a wonderful refuge.
It is. The perfect space to escape to and examine one’s real thoughts. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. KL ❤