“Sometimes I think you love that mountain more than you love me.” James joked, dropping a kiss to his wife’s cheek as he passed over her coffee. She smiled and looked at him, the corners of her eyes crinkling more than they used to. They weren’t twenty anymore.
“Any post?” she asked.
“Yep. Something from the National Geographic Magazine.” he held out the envelope and she reached for it slowly.
“Another rejection letter?” she asked.
“Don’t know.” James shrugged. “You’re going to have to open it to find out.”
She took the letter from him, pinched between finger and thumb.
“Please.” she thought. “Not another rejection.”
The Volcanologist: Part Two
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Published by Carol J Forrester
Carol J Forrester is a writer and a history geek. Her debut collection 'It's All In The Blood' came out November 2019.
She has a 2:1 BA degree in history from Bath Spa University, enjoys judo at least twice a week, and tries to attend poetry events around the Midlands when she can.
Her flash fiction story ‘Glorious Silence’ was named as River Ram Press’ short story of the month for August 2014 and her short story ‘A Visit From The Fortune Teller’ has been showcased on the literary site Ink Pantry. Her poems ‘Sunsets’ and ‘Clear Out‘ were featured on Eyes Plus Words, and two of her poems were included in the DVerse Poets Pub Publication ‘Chiaroscuro’ which is available for purchase on amazon.Her poem ‘Until The Light Gets In‘ was accepted and published at The Drabble and her poem ‘Newborn’ was published by Ink Sweat & Tears.
She has been lucky enough to write guest posts for sites such as Inky Tavern and Song of The Forlorn and has hosted a number of guest bloggers on her site Writing and Works.
View all posts by Carol J Forrester
I hope it’s not another rejection letter. I liked your description of them and I could feel their love for each other. Hopefully that will help it if is another rejection.
janet
No doubt it will. Thank you for the comment.
Well? Do I have to wait a week?
I’ll do a follow up to this story tomorrow. So only a day.
Thank you for the comment though, and the likes.
I’m not the only one dying of curiosity, hunh?
It seems not. 😀
I really liked these characters, and I’m dying to know what the letter says as well!
Part two will be up tomorrow.
Very relatable tale there, and I could really see the interaction between them. Hope she finally gets that acceptance letter!!
If you pop back tomorrow you will be able to find out. 😀
Dear Carol,
I know the angst over opening those letters. I, too, hope it’s not a rejection.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you for the comment, and I’m actually going to end up doing a follow up piece to this as there seems to be a demand for it.
😀
Well, I had decided I wasn’t going to follow anymore blogs – reading too much and not concentrating enough on writing or editing my MS. ~sigh~ why do you have to write so well?
Aw, thank you. I’m sorry to break your resolution but thank you for the lovely compliment.
Yeah, I know that feeling. Here’s hoping…
Well part two is up if you’d like to find out what happened.
I loved the crinkling eyes line, what a great way to convey age and the length of their relationship! I think there’s a typo at the end (though for thought) and I did wish you’d given us some hint that it wasn’t a rejection, leaving us with hope rather than just her desperation, but that’s just me.
Thank you, the crinkling eye lines was one of my favourite lines as well. Thank you for also pointing out the typo and if you want to know the answer then the second half is up on the site. Ever so handily named Volcanologist Part II
https://caroljforrester.wordpress.com/2014/03/06/volcanologist-part-ii/
Somehow I feel a Diane Fossey or Jane Godall story here.. but were are the apes? — great storyline…
Thank you, and no apes I’m afraid. Only a very unique volcano that spews a very unique lava.
I hope it’s the first acceptance letter! Great!
Well you can find out here if you’d like: https://caroljforrester.wordpress.com/2014/03/06/volcanologist-part-ii/
Thank you for the comment and I hope you pop back again. 😀
I felt that.
I’m glad that you found a connection in the writing. There is a second half if you’d like to know what happens.
https://caroljforrester.wordpress.com/2014/03/06/volcanologist-part-ii/
Good story, well done. I’m glad to hear you’re doing a follow-up as I’d also like to know what happens.
Well here you go then 😀 https://caroljforrester.wordpress.com/2014/03/06/volcanologist-part-ii/
It’s so nice to see people taking an interest in coming back to the site.
Great. And I read part two. Happiness is… the cover!
Shush! Don’t give it away to those who haven’t read part two yet.
But thank you for reading both parts and leaving a comment. I appreciate it.
I feel her pain.
Indeed. Waiting to hear back from submissions is always stressful, especially if you’ve had bad luck in the past.
rejection…so hard to take especially when flow in like a river. i enjoyed your story.
Thank you. 😀