Light and Shadow
The view was fabulous, Jenny had risen early, enjoyed a continental breakfast then taken a leisurely stroll around the hotels gardens. Tuscany was beautiful at this time of the year, the gentle overnight rain had highlighted colours and created a lovely perfume. She left Julie sleeping and took paints and an easel to her favourite view. She was not going to let any clouds on the horizon spoil this day. Julie could leave if that was her desire. Relationships and it seems love did come and go, but as an artist Jenny painted for posterity. She now knew that painting was her real passion.
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I liked the fight between Julie and Jenny that’s never described. That’s how you make the most of 100 words!
That’s one of the things I like about FF – informal mentorship, I am always learning, and really appreciate your feedback. Thank you Neil
Good for her, we need to pursue our dreams, not sacrifice them.
Jenny agrees – but she is still sad that Julie can’t go on the journey with her.
Maybe she’ll find a partner who wants to travel the same journey of freedom and mutual appreciation. Excellent story.
We can only hope so, at present her future is unclear except for her continued painting
I think she has made the right choice. As Neil has indicated, there is so much unsaid in your story, but we know it has happened – excellent!
Thank you Clare, what the writer leaves unsaid can be just as important as what is said, it was good to be reminded of this.
Dear Michael,
This one’s a good story on more than one level. As others have said, we have an idea of what’s transpired between Julie and Jenny. I love it that Jenny’s an artist and has realized her true calling. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you Rochelle, it is so good to get feedback, and to know what stories are enjoyed.
Agree with everything others have already said, expertly done. Also, took me back to fabulous memories of Tuscany holidays, so I’m happy!
That pleases me, thank you. Tuscany must be great.
It is lovely, highly recommended.
There are so many lovely places, I have the feeling if I lived for five hundred years I would not manage to see anything that I would wish to sadly.
Ditto about what other’s said, Michael. You have several great unspoken undercurrents in this piece. A little loss but much to gain. Kudos.
Thank you, it was pleasing to hear how this story was seen.
Too often we push aside our dreams for the sake of a love that is not necessarily the good one. Well done!
Jenny like all of us could only do what seems right at the time. How she will feel when Julie has left I am not sure.
When some doors close, we paint ourselves new windows…
Doors are always closing behind us, not only must we paint new windows, we need to open some of them. Sorry I am a bit philosophical at present time. Mike
I’ve been known to run with a metaphor every now and again, so no need for apologies. Especially when I, too, believe that creating a window one is not planning to use would be a waste of time.
Hopefully their fight is as temporary as the cloud, and the sun will shine for both of them again. If not, at least Jenny knows who she is and what she wants, which may help her choose a partner more wisely in the future.
Jenny says that that is a good piece of advise. Thank you.
I think this is the best choice.. Julie might love her better if she does, and maybe they share the love of Jenny’s art.
Jenny agrees, but sadly Julie does not really understand Jenny’s need to create.
Sounds like something I would want to do and have done some. I imagined these girls to actually be twin sisters who have vast, differing points of view, creates more tension. That’s how I saw it. A very compact story, Mike. Nice job.
I had not thought of sister’s. You are right to say that Jenny and Julie have to much tension in there life’s, it is due to their vastly differing outlooks on life.
It sounds like Julie will always be playing second fiddle to Jenny’s true passion.
That is how Julie see the relationship, and I think Jenny is beginning to realise that Julie indeed may have to play second fiddle, will totally destroy their relationship
Much said in the unsaid. Well done.
Thank you, I wish that I was capable of managing to do that more often.
It’s practice. I very much enjoy your stories
It is kind of you to say that. Thank you so much.
There’s something special about those short moments when one leaves the other sleeping and has time to order her thoughts. In Tuscany with the light just reviving the colours of the day, what better time?
I agree so much, thank you Jane
It seems there was ore then one type of cloud on the horizon for poor Jenny. Nicely written, I too want to go to Tuscany after reading this.
I agree Tuscany would be lovely so long as the clouds stay away.
somehow, i hope for some sort of compromise. 🙂
Jenny says sadly she is unable to compromise, as it would be like us not being able to record our thoughts when we think of a great story.
Love can be fleeting – passion endures.Excellent
My 100 words
Both can be difficult to understand, I am glad that you liked Light and Shadow. Thank you Keith.
She’s committed to her calling. When it’s that strong nothing will stand in its way. It’s hard on Julie but that’s the way it has to be.
I think that you may be right. Thank you Michael
I second all that has been written about the ‘unsaidness’ of this excellent story. Very well written, Sir.
Thank you Neil. It is good to share a common interest in writing.
Good for her! Find someone who supports your dreams not competes with them!
Julie just does not understand the desire to paint or for that matter to write
Time for Julie to decide. But what happens when Jenny runs out of paints. Who is going to nip down to the shops for her when Julie is gone?
Love!
I did not think of that, but Jenny tells me that Julie would often spend the money on clothes instead of paints
The clouds helped her. Thank God she knows her true love. At least she won’t be spoiling anyone else!
That is true,
I agree with the other commenters: you’ve expressed so much without having to spell it all out. Well done!
Thank you so much.
My pleasure.