This short story is an entry in the 2001 Soc.Sexuality.Spanking Summer Short Story Contest and is copyright by the author and commercial use is prohibited without permission. Personal/private copies are permitted only if complete including the copyright notice. The author would appreciate your comments
Category: Adult
This story has been posted before, but not to SSC. It was my first venture out of familiar schoolgirl territory, so I'm quite fond of it.
Ordinary Sacrifices
By
"I'm not in love with you," you tell him serenely, as this is something he needs to hear.
I'm not in love with you, don't worry. My skin doesn't heat up each time I hear your voice. A silly smile doesn't stretch my lips when someone mentions your name. I don't think that your initials make the most harmonious combination of letters possible under the sun; I don't carve them on the desks and walls, I don't stare at them, unblinking, dreaming of lands far away that would be ours. I didn't start to study Latin because it pleases you. I didn't become an expert in wildflowers because you love them. I didn't stop working out because you like jiggling under your palm as you happily whack away. These were my own choices, only coinciding with your tastes and wishes. Every little thing doesn't remind me of you. I don't laugh or weep without a reason. I don't compare every man to you. I don't compare myself to her. I'll be a godmother to your firstborn. I don't think that the stars kindle and dance at the tips of your fingers. I don't think the world begins and ends over your knees. I don't dream of us, embraced in wet grass. Your pain doesn't hurt me more than mine. I'm not in love with you, my friend. I'd never do this to you.
He blossoms with a boyish smile, relieved. Are you proud?
The End
© Copyright 2000 by Alana Haron Goldstein
Reviews
Naomi Darvell <naomi_darvell(at)hotmail(dot)com>
«I don't think that the stars kindle and dance at the tips of your fingers.»
What a wonderful little slice of poetic prose. Haron always has a wonderful touch with wistfulness and nostalgia. This time she puts it into a very classical rhetorical package-- which doesn't diminish the emotional impact one bit! Lovely job!
Pablo <Pablo(dot)Stubbs(at)newsguy(dot)com>
A fabulous piece, which borrows the best things from both poetry and prose, and spins them into something better still. It's achingly sad, totally vivid and true. Great stuff.