I’m from a small town, married my high school sweetheart, and lived there until we divorced. The divorce broke my heart but worse were the whispers. I couldn’t even go to the grocery store without hearing them, so I ran away.
I came here. It was so different. I loved the lights, and laughter, just outside my window, and the drama, wasn’t my own. No one knew me here, or cared. I liked it like that.
But that was 20 years ago and nowadays I find the lights and the laughter more annoying than alluring.
I think it is time to go home.
PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson
Friday Fictioneers is a weekly 100 word writing challenge inspired by a picture prompt. Click here to read other stories.
The Day After 
Running away only takes you so far sometimes…
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It worked for 20 years but we all change..and change again.
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Wow! Great twist and very realistic, Dawn. Fantastic!
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Thank you
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Home towns have a rubber-band effect. You can run as far as you can run, then at one point – SNAP – and you’re back at your old doorstep looking at the new owner with confusion. This would have fit well with the ‘Fishville’ prompt. 🙂
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Fishville?
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Named solely for the “Fish bowl” effect that small towns have. Couldn’t think of a name for the town that wouldn’t reveal the ‘real’ town and Hubs suggested Fishville…it stuck.
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Beautiful story , Dawn.
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Thank you
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I loved it. For me I still find the lights and anonymity alluring.
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Thank you. I think their allure depends on where you are from and where you have been,perhaps even where you are going.
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Interesting how we always need to go back to where we came from.
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There’s no place like home 😉
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There’s always a pull to things familiar and people you really know. Good take on the prompt.
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Thank you
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Small towns are like that, too true. But she must have loved it and still had friends there, to want to go back 20 years later. I have zero interest in ever living in my small town again, and every time I visit, I’m even more sure of that!
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Yes, she grew up there, so I am guessing there are plenty of people who would welcome her back. I’m sorry you feel that way about your small town but if it doesn’t fit, you can’t force it!
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A small, rural town was a wonderful place to grow up, but it’s gone downhill since then, and now I am spoiled by having good grocery stores and varied ethnic restaurants and actual plays and concerts nearby.
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Aaahhh…yes…I get that.
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I can understand the desire to be anonymous sometimes, but eventually it’s good to go home.
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Totally!
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You’ve described exactly why we returned to England – well done!
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Thank you
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You can’t go home again. 🙂
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Metaphorically, no. things change all the time. Thanks Rosemary.
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Oh, the last line says so much. I love the change of ideas. We all go through that. You caught it well.
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Thank you Alicia.
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It is brave to go back after so long, will she finds what she ants?
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You always hope…
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I think 20 years would be enough to be forgotten… maybe there is silence at least.
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Yes by then everyone has had their own scandal! lol
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It’s quite hard going back to old places. They’re never quite the same when you return to them. If I were her, I’d move to a totally new location, where the lights and laughter were less annoying, and make a totally fresh start.
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By the sea…. 😉
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You take yourself with you wherever you go 🙂
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That’s beautiful
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Beautifully written. No matter how far you travel home, where your roots are, always draws you back.
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Thank you
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I hope returning home gives her comfort. I feel this is a story that many can relate to. Great job!
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Thank you Amie
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Dear Dawn,
Perhaps after twenty years folks at home will have grown up. Nicely done
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle
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Very insightful Dawn. I went to live in the city for a while when I was young, but when I wanted real life, I came home
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Thank you Michael.
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Very real, Dawn. I wonder how many thousands of people have lived this story.
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I hadn’t thought abut it, but I suppose you are right. Thank you Sandra.
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nothing stands still. when she goes home, she’d find things have changed.
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Change is good!
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Such a full story and yet another beginning. Home will not be the same or what she expects…. Well done on telling so much story in so few words.
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Thank you
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Life has come a full circle. From the buzz of the city to the peace at home. Nice one.
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Thank you
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How very right this is, that as we change and age the world around us seems to change too. We’re different people in our fifties than we were in our twenties and we need different things from life. Nicely written, Dawn
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Thanks Lynn
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In twenty years conditions, and the folks back home have no doubt changed as well. She’s possibly outlived some of them. She could give going back a try at least. Good writing, Dawn. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thank you
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So many years captured into few words. Well done Dawn! Weird how our feelings change about places over time. Once having made us feel unwanted and lonely, can welcome us in new ways. Lovely story.
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Thank you
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