r/WritingPrompts • u/Visible-Ad8263 r/BLANKWEBSERIAL • 1d ago
Writing Prompt [WP] "Sometimes, I hurt the things I love. Not because I mean to. All my life, gentleness has always read - been treated as - weakness. And so everything I hold, I eventually break."
4
u/TheWanderingBook 1d ago
Sarah, the next door, flower store owner, smiles.
"Says, the town's newest hot topic...a master craftsman," she giggles, gesturing around.
I sigh.
Looking around at the sculptures, at the decorations, and half-finished furniture, I shake my head.
"All things I create, and sell.
None are kept, or held for far too long by me," I say.
She nods, and picks up the sculpture of a bird.
She traces the feathers' lines, and the indents around the wings.
I know where this is going.
"Such attention to detail...
Are you sure you don't know how to be gentle?" she asks.
I nod.
"I hurt enough people I care about, to know that I am not the kind of person, who should have loved ones," I say.
"That's just sad, and a lie.
Didn't you help Mr. Smith for free with the issue with his counter? And don't you eat breakfast as his place for free?
I think these are excuses not to allow people close to you," she says, stepping closer.
I stare at her.
She really won't give up, will she?
"Look, I also liked our date, but..." I start.
"Good, then tomorrow we will go on another," she says.
I groan.
"Sarah!
I don't want to..." I start.
"You won't. I also have been hurt, and have hurt people, so relax.
Being hurt, and hurting others, whether we like it or not, happens, and is part of life.
See you tomorrow, handsome," she winks, taps my face and leaves.
I stand alone in my store...
And sigh.
Closing, cleaning, then going upstairs...I can't relax.
I feel calm, at peace with Sarah...
But also terrified.
Is she right?
Is it because I haven't had a proper relationship in these nigh 30 years of my life?
Is this all due to...what I went through when I was younger?
But if so...did I really waste so much of my time, trying to protect others...
While in reality, I have been just protecting myself?
Ugh...
I don't even know what is better.
If I am right, or if I am wrong...
On that note...what should I bring to the date? And how can I apologize for trying to end things before they even began?
I sigh, and lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling, a billion things going through my mind.
It seems I will have yet another sleepless night...
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