The challenge? Write a story in 6 sentences, no more & no less, and if you’d like, share your creation or just visit and comment on others’ ideas, with GirlieOnTheEdge, Denise. The prompt is “VISA”, and here’s where you join the party: Six Sentence Stories
***(And remember, I write fiction, so…)***
He glanced at the packet of papers, held between his thumb and first two fingers. “Well MY lawyer told me these don’t have to be returned until AFTER 30 days,” he sneered, releasing his fingers and scattering the pages across the floor.
“It says right there what the due date for your response is, and it’s not like you didn’t know this was coming, because we talked about it in marriage counseling just last week,” she replied, forcing down her nausea and adding, “If my lawyer doesn’t hear from you or your lawyer by noon on that date, I will have to have you served by a third party. Please don’t make me do that.”
He growled and made to get up from his easy chair, and laughed as she jumped away.
Having delivered the official notice of separation and divorce — the papers her visa to another, safer country not carpeted in eggshells and broken beer bottles – she snatched up her purse and car keys.
She was grateful to her parents for having agreed to watch the kids for a few days, but they’d be surprised when she showed up seeking sanctuary at their home.
© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2023)
Valley of the Trolls 
You brought both of your characters to life through your words. A wonderfully atmospheric piece, Liz.
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A bully and a story that paints the picture well…
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Yes! And thank you for stopping by!
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You communicated the situation (fear on the wife’s part and aggression on the part of the husband) very well in just a few lines. Like most others who commented, I especially liked the line about egg shells and beer bottles. But I also loved the ending, where it seemed that she had found a safe place.
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Thanks, Ann!
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Such an intriguing story. I particularly loved the phrase about the eggshells and beer bottles too.
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Thank you Astrid! Yes, appears that image touches the ‘right spot.’
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Well written! I have to echo the others and say that “not carpeted in eggshells and broken beer bottles” is a fantastic line.
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Thank you, Nicole!
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Tense scene, acutely described to the point where I was feeling the anger and the fear of the young woman. I agree with Clark, the phrasing here is brilliant: “safer country not carpeted in eggshells and broken beer bottles”!
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Thank you kindly for your words and attentive reading!
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It is good to have family to take one in during times like this.
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“…safer country not carpeted in eggshells and broken beer bottles”
Hands-down winner of this week’s ‘Damn! Why can’t I come up with lines like this Award’
very engaging Six!
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Thanks, Clark!
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“carpeted in eggshells and broken beer bottles ” that’s worth every escaping/leaving.
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Thank you!
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New Here, New to the link up! I read your six sentence story out loud. Looking forward to reading more. Happy 2023! Mel
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not carpeted in eggshells and broken beer bottles — a situation brilliantly covered in few words.
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Thank you for your kind words!
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I’m glad she’s getting out while the getting is good.
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The first step in a long journey homeward.
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Standing up to the bully. And divorcing him to boot (no bad pun intended, lol)
Well told fictional telling of what is unfortunately a more common scenario than most of us realize.
Your MC stood her ground in the face of her fear. A courageous first step.
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Truly more common, but just a whisper away.
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Hope it was ok to use your icon to top my Six offering.
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Absolutely, it’s ok, Liz. Let’s spread the word of the Six 😉
Thank you for the intro!
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A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. And who wants a world of eggshells and beer bottles? ugh.
–Shay
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New world!
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