Absolutely delightful the way this unfolds slowly, perfectly, finally getting the message. John has been let down easy ( easily?), but firmly. You are a master at these short, full-bodied stories, Barrie. Here is the letter Barbara may have written previously to John, to intimate she is seeking for something or someone else.
An enjoyable flight of fancy, Barrie. I love the atmosphere of this photograph (which you capture so well), yet only recently noticed Saul Leiter's reflection in the glass.
I love this utterly delightful interpretation of Saul Leiter's photograph Barrie, I can imagine Barabara's haste in writing, the excitement of severing ties with poor, boring John in exchange for the headiness of a French lover - will she have to learn the hard way that all the poetic charm and Parisian beauty of Anton is likely barely skin deep? Says she who did!
Ah, I hope, for Barbara, a hedonistic slide into the 60s, Anton being followed by Thierry, Jean not John, Albert, Simone and back again to Anton. But not John. Never John. Thanks so much for the kind encouragement 💛✍️💛
I began to smile toward the end of the second paragraph and found myself chuckling at some of the not- so- veiled swipes at dear John. This unfolded beautifully and satisfyingly, Barrie. An imaginative interpretation, masterfully written.
That’s so so kind, Jim. I really appreciate this. I’ve been busy encouraging other folk so a little out of practice with the fiction. It was nice to get the pen scratching across the page!
I just came back from Europe, Italy specifically, and I love how you captured the history, language, and being in an exciting yet foreign place in the begging of this story. Very real and ties in nicely with the story. This was a great read!
What a journey! Loved this slow walk to a devastating smack down, wrapped up in very proper speak. Barbara is one smart woman. John is going to take a while to pick himself back up😀
This is such a finely controlled piece of writing, Barrie. Light and yet beautifully detailed and the final twist so gently tucking in the fabric that is coiled around all of that earlier rich narrative. Possibly one of your best, IMHO.
You’re so very kind, Matt. I’ve felt a bit of a shift. As I reduced my diet of 50-word and 100-word ‘shorts’, I’ve felt like there have been fewer ‘fillers’. Not so many ideas so the ones that emerge and start telling themselves feel a more like the tales to tell. I’m deliberating more over words, sentences, the way things sound. As I head off tomorrow for three ‘writing days’, it feels a little more like I am working on producing the best I can, not the most. Thanks for the timely encouragement. Bx
Timeliness a great thing: I knew it was a good thing to leave the inbox waiting with a few gems for longer! Great to hear you are more closely engaged with the craft of what you’re doing. I don’t doubt that mastering the practice (showing up and writing) has had a huge part to play in that commitment towards becoming better at what you do.
Oh that last paragraph. I loved it that she didn't feel a need to get to her point right away. All the little innuendos she slipped in were delicious. Excellent, Barrie.
Absolutely delightful the way this unfolds slowly, perfectly, finally getting the message. John has been let down easy ( easily?), but firmly. You are a master at these short, full-bodied stories, Barrie. Here is the letter Barbara may have written previously to John, to intimate she is seeking for something or someone else.
https://sharronbassano.substack.com/p/la-huchette?utm_source=publication-search
Love it. Such a keen eye for life, Sharron, beautifully painted in vivid pictures.
An enjoyable flight of fancy, Barrie. I love the atmosphere of this photograph (which you capture so well), yet only recently noticed Saul Leiter's reflection in the glass.
I love the places his images transport the viewer … I shall peer again for the reflection.
I love this utterly delightful interpretation of Saul Leiter's photograph Barrie, I can imagine Barabara's haste in writing, the excitement of severing ties with poor, boring John in exchange for the headiness of a French lover - will she have to learn the hard way that all the poetic charm and Parisian beauty of Anton is likely barely skin deep? Says she who did!
Gorgeous and evocative writing!
Ah, I hope, for Barbara, a hedonistic slide into the 60s, Anton being followed by Thierry, Jean not John, Albert, Simone and back again to Anton. But not John. Never John. Thanks so much for the kind encouragement 💛✍️💛
I began to smile toward the end of the second paragraph and found myself chuckling at some of the not- so- veiled swipes at dear John. This unfolded beautifully and satisfyingly, Barrie. An imaginative interpretation, masterfully written.
That’s so so kind, Jim. I really appreciate this. I’ve been busy encouraging other folk so a little out of practice with the fiction. It was nice to get the pen scratching across the page!
I adored this.
Ah, that’s made my day! Thank you!
Hooray!
Oh, this was a wonderful start to my day! Thank you so much for penning it. She is so well rid of John!
Ah, thank you … I feel she has an exciting journey ahead!
For sure, I can hear my mother's voice, "that girl's got spunk!" 😜
The best way to charge at life!
I just came back from Europe, Italy specifically, and I love how you captured the history, language, and being in an exciting yet foreign place in the begging of this story. Very real and ties in nicely with the story. This was a great read!
That’s very kind and super-encouraging, thank you, Nick. Much appreciated ✍️
What a journey! Loved this slow walk to a devastating smack down, wrapped up in very proper speak. Barbara is one smart woman. John is going to take a while to pick himself back up😀
Delighted with your kind words, Sheridan, thank you. A great encouragement as I head off later in the week for a few days of ‘writing retreat’. ✍️
I’m sending you all my ‘writing retreat’ envy 😁 And I hope the creativity flows!
This is such a finely controlled piece of writing, Barrie. Light and yet beautifully detailed and the final twist so gently tucking in the fabric that is coiled around all of that earlier rich narrative. Possibly one of your best, IMHO.
You’re so very kind, Matt. I’ve felt a bit of a shift. As I reduced my diet of 50-word and 100-word ‘shorts’, I’ve felt like there have been fewer ‘fillers’. Not so many ideas so the ones that emerge and start telling themselves feel a more like the tales to tell. I’m deliberating more over words, sentences, the way things sound. As I head off tomorrow for three ‘writing days’, it feels a little more like I am working on producing the best I can, not the most. Thanks for the timely encouragement. Bx
Timeliness a great thing: I knew it was a good thing to leave the inbox waiting with a few gems for longer! Great to hear you are more closely engaged with the craft of what you’re doing. I don’t doubt that mastering the practice (showing up and writing) has had a huge part to play in that commitment towards becoming better at what you do.
Oh that last paragraph. I loved it that she didn't feel a need to get to her point right away. All the little innuendos she slipped in were delicious. Excellent, Barrie.
Having so much fun with this one. What a great image. Easy to play with.