I didn’t believe I would ever say this but, I miss my washer and dryer. I even miss my vacuum cleaner. I miss my house, I miss everything about my old life. I never appreciated what I had.
It’s been three months since he kicked me out, and I’m reduced to having to clean my own dirty clothes at the corner Laundromat. Hoarding quarters from my diner tips during the week so I have enough for the weekend wash. I’m so embarrassed I always sneak in the back door of the laundry, hiding from anyone I know who might see me there.
Even after all this time, this was the first I’ve noticed the pay phone in the alley. If I have a few quarters left over today, I could call him. He won’t recognized the number and might pick up. Now, I only have to figure out what to say if he answers. “I’m sorry,” just won’t do it.
Trifecta, a weekly one-word prompt, challenges writers to use that word in its third definition form, using no less than 33 words or no more than 333. The week’s prompt is: Alley [noun \al-ee\] 3: a narrow street; especially : a thoroughfare through the middle of a block giving access to the rear of lots or buildings
Thin spiral notebook 
Did she do something or was he an unreasonable SOB? That’s what I get. I did the laundromat thing for years as a single gal. It was called “Suds and Spuds” back then but really laundry and a bar. Made phone calls from alley phone booths too. Great story!
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I like the absence of details. It leaves much to the imagination and lets the reader interpret the story. It’s hard to tell if he overreacted or if she truly did something wretched.
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you have nailed the life in the alley very well – kudos
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Sadness at new circumstances. In another lifetime, I was there. Life can throw some curve balls. You’ve captured this well.
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I love how open you left it. The reader can clot in whomever they please and make it work in their own imaginations
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Very intriguing — it does leave a lot unsaid, as to what happened, why she’s embarrassed to see people she knows, and so on. Good details, too.
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wonderful, so much left for the reader to figure out and imagine.
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There are layers here of what might have caused her to get thrown out, and I have to wonder whether she did something REALLY wrong, or rather he’s just REALLY manipulative.
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I left a lot unsaid intentionally. This could be a roommate, or adult child, lover, spouse, just about anyone, and the reason for being kicked out, anything.
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Very poignant.
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Sad, but a good write Tara 🙂
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