until the end of my life and beyond #short prose #flash fiction

blogging, fiction, short prose, Uncategorized, writing 1 Minute

“I, Miguel Julian Veracruz, take you to be my wife until the end of my life and beyond. I swear on the true cross of my ancestors who endured famine, who fought hurricanes, who sailed their ships through darkness and light into the vastness of the ocean, bible in one hand and sword in the other, to love you until the end of all worlds. My ancestors killed. May my love for you wash the blood from their hands. My ancestors burned down temples. May the fire of my love for you redeem them. May […]

Say yes, Clara, say yes, please!”

Miguel’s words cut the sky in two. The green of his eyes looked exactly like that of his Maria de Guadalupe medallion which he never took off. That beautiful silver Spanish ring, a family heirloom, worn by his mother on the fourth finger of her right hand, appeared on his palm out of nowhere.
*
Lightning struck the waters. A whirlpool of colors flamed the boat; the air was spinning around me like a tornado let lose over the face of the earth. My breathing stopped.  I thought I was imagining everything.
*
Jacques asked in that deep, unmistakable voice of his.

“Where were you Clara?”

“In Miguel’s boat on the waters of the Atlantic. In the beginning it looked like an ordinary Sunday afternoon. Miguel ordered the boat out.  I thought it was odd that he was not sailing it. He hired a captain whose wife cooked dinner, set the table, and brought a bunch of papers for us.  I did not know what they were.”

“What did you say, Clara?”

Excerpt from the manuscript “Glass Lovers” (draft)
@short-prose-fiction

image: Sofi photo; Shutterstock; [link]

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Published by Gabriela Marie Milton

Gabriela Marie Milton #1 Amazon Best-Selling Author, 2019 Author of the Year at Spillwords Press NYC; internationally published poet; poetry collections Woman: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis Pres, July 27, 2021); Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis Press, April, 2020)

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66 thoughts on “until the end of my life and beyond #short prose #flash fiction”

    1. Thank you so much for reading, my dearest K. It means a lot to me. You are a wonderful loyal friend. I think I said that before 🙂

      Reply

      1. My absolute pleasure! And I don’t mind it so long as you don’t mind we gave similar compliments today! 😅 But in all honesty, I spread only truths and you are a pleasure to read, my friend.

    1. Thank you so much, my dear. You are so good to me. I am deeply grateful to you for that.

      Reply

    1. Aw.. thank you from the bottom of my heart! Your comparison is so humbling. I do not know what else to say. Thank you again!

      Reply

  9. Good afternoon G. Finally, the long awaited next excerpt of Glass Lovers. And well worth the wait I might add.

    Loved the power and conviction in Miguel Julian Veracruz vows. In one interesting monologue you accomplish so much. We learn about his family history, adding delicious intrigue to your tale. And you subtly reinforce (or reveal depending on when this occurs in your story line) the immense love he carries in his heart. There can be no doubt he loves this woman with every fiber of his body.

    Your writer’s voice never intrudes, while you draw us deeper into your book. So perfectly done.

    Then, you go on to cleverly reveal his appearance by comparing his eyes to the medallion. (Yes, I am taking notes for myself.) Of course, you’re a master since you used the opportunity to add more depth to the character and his family background. You are wonderful at bringing your characters to life. They live and breathe.

    Also loved how Miguel’s words cut the sky in two, then you present us with the image of
    lightning striking the waters. This is a technique often used by polished screen writers to transition into new scenes. Can’t tell you enough how much I admire this.

    Then, Jacques deep, unmistakable voice. You already made it distinct. Pronounced and different than others. So much revealed with so few words. Then, you leave us hanging waiting for Clara’s response……

    G, as I told you before, I have made room on my library for Glass Lovers. Right between two of my favorites For Whom The Bells Tolls and The Ingenious Nobleman Quixote of La Mancha. (Let me know if Hemingway gets fresh, I hear he was a cad when he drank).
    Can’t wait to read this in its entirety.

    Bravo my dear.

    Reply

    1. Good afternoon Drew,

      Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment. Your words mean a lot to me.

      “So perfectly done.” Humbled by your praise, Drew! But wait! I can do better 🙂 This is just a draft .:)

      “This is a technique often used by polished screen writers to transition into new scenes.” I’ve always liked to do that. Our memories are never linear. Fragments come and go.

      “I have made room on my library for Glass Lovers. Right between two of my favorites For Whom The Bells Tolls and The Ingenious Nobleman Quixote of La Mancha.” This is so sweet of you to say. It melts my heart. I am humbled over and over again.

      “Let me know if Hemingway gets fresh, I hear he was a cad when he drank” LOL Don’t worry Drew. I know how to defend myself. I can’t disclose everything here but I assure you that’s an easy one for me 🙂

      Now, on a more serious note:

      Veracruz’s commitment is an introduction to himself. It doesn’t tell us much about the woman he loves so deeply. Should it Drew? 🙂

      The lightening scene: Can you see in that light Columbus’ ships property of Juan de la Costa desperately looking for a shore? The New Spain is about to become reality. Look for those ships, Drew! Look into that light. What do you see? I’m teasing you again. Or maybe not 🙂

      “Can’t wait to read this in its entirety.” Your book will come out first, and I assure you Drew that I can’t wait to read it. I am positive it will be a fantastic book. I will place it between Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex and Marguerite Yourcenar’s Mémoires d’Hadrien. Can you guess why? 🙂 Let just say one was a strong feminist and the other one was gay. I’m boxing you in, Drew 🙂 Kidding! Both of them were great writers. You deserve a place of honor.

      Thank you again for your generosity and your kind comment.

      Looking forward to your Thursday’s post 😉

      Have an evening filled with love and inspiration!

      G

      Reply

    1. Merci beaucoup, ma chère Béatrice. Tu as rempli mon coeur de joie. Je te souhaite une bonne soirée 🙂

      Reply

    1. Thank you so much, Shantanu! Your kindness and your generosity are equaled only by your talent.
      🙂

      Reply

      1. It was your post and I need to be in awe with your work. You can’t praise me in your post 😊 jokes apart I am so glad to have come across you and your work

      2. I thank you again for the praise, but allow me to praise you too, my dear friend. I am glad I found your work too.
        🙂

    1. You are so sweet, Ash! Thank you. More will come. I’ll pick an excerpt just for you .
      Thank you again for reading 😊

      Reply

      4. Resume. But forget about. Your words inspire me. So I may write a poem just for you .

    1. Hey David, you are one of my biggest supporter. Thank you so much!
      Did you get my comment on your post?

      Reply

      2. Ah, WP! It ate my comment. I will read and comment again tonight. If my memory serves me right (usually does) I also commented on another post. I don’t think you got that comment either.

        Have a good day, David! Talk to you later.

    1. Thank you so much for your wonderful comment, Tanya! I hope everything is well with you dear.

      Reply

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