THE WEP’S DECEMBER’S, THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE, CHALLENGE, DECEMBER 1 – 15, WAITING By Pat Garcia @WEP, @TheIWSG, @pat_garcia
Tagline: He turned to talk to the man on his left side and the full extent of the scar, the zigzagged flesh that marred the terrain of his otherwise sculptured face, had me wondering who could have been so angry as to mark him so brutally.
The first time ever I saw his face, I stared. The scar, extending from the tip of his ear to his neck, shook the layers of indifference within me about humanity, and compassion swelled up. He turned to talk to the man on his left side and the full extent of the scar, the zigzagged flesh that marred the terrain of his otherwise sculptured face, had me wondering who could have been so angry as to mark him so brutally. He pivoted eighty degrees like a soldier; that’s when he saw me staring. He returned my stare, daring me to look away.
I shook my head, not in pity but with delight, and continued to stare, fascinated by his proud aura. It held me on the spot and kept me from leaving as he walked to me.
Successive dates led to an early marriage. Four weeks later, my newly acquired husband was gone. Our relationship hung on one request. “Write me daily by email, no matter what you’re going through and tell me about your day,” he’d said.
So, I poured out my fears, my pain at not being able to be with him, talk to him, to have a typical marriage, and my frustrations at him dominating my thoughts.
Since then, eight months, twenty-two days, twelve hours, and twenty- nine seconds have passed, and this time I, Ida Mae Jones, now Greco, find myself in the same café waiting on Salvatore, the man who drops into the ugliest corners of the world to protect others. Salvatore had explained to me before we married that I wouldn’t hear from him often when he was gone. Four letters testify to that. Yet I’ve written him an email every day as if I were writing an entry into my journal.
This morning the fifth letter came. Two short sentences: Landing at 9 a.m. Be at the café at 3 p.m.
I wrote in my journal: going to meet Salvatore Greco, my husband of almost a year. This time I didn’t email the entry to him; I put it in my purse.
Arriving at the café, I stood at the reception desk waiting to be seated. I felt Salvatore’s presence and turned. That’s when I saw the face I will never forget. He was coming toward me. I stared at him, searching his face for new scars, and found only one on his forehead, small though it was. He held my gaze as he walked to me; his eyes filled with light and hope. And my waiting was over.
***
I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a healthy crossover into 2023.
Take care and be blessed.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia
- Posted in: Flash Fiction ♦ Inspiration ♦ The WEP ♦ WEP CHALLENGE,
- Tagged: The First Ever I Saw Your Face, The WEP December's Challenge, WAITING By Pat Garcia
Walk On 
Hi Pat – that was so intense and intriguing … I definitely want to know more – you’ve left me in suspense … please write more, so I can have light and love in my eyes! Really well crafted … cheers Hilary
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Thank you, Hilary. To leave the reader in suspense, even though they knew it was a love story, was my intent. Now the reader can live out a happy ending by ending the story with their own lives.
Shalom aleichem
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You left me wanting more!!!!!
As always a very mind tingling, soul stirring story.
Love it!
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Thank you, Lucille! It is so nice to see you following me whenever I participate in the WEP. I appreciate it deeply.
Shalom aleichem
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Pat, when I started reading this in my inbox, I thought to myself, It’s got to be Pat! You have a certain style and flare of writing that is immediately detected. Sounds like another good read.
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Thank you, Shirley. You have made my day. To know that you recognized my voice in my writing has me jumping for joy.
Shalom aleichem
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Pat, this is an excellent story! I love it and your writing is growing beautifully!
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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Thank you, Gwynn. I accept the growth compliment. You know the place where I started.
I too wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Take care of yourself.
Shalom aleichem
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What a sweet little story. I would like to have a short message in my inbox every day too. From the same person. What better way to show love.
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Thank you, Olga. Yes, that is one of the best ways to show love to people who put their lives on the line to protect others.
Shalom aleichem
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So beautiful! But I expected nothing less. You are an amazing writer!
Have a beautiful holiday!
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Thank you, Yolanda. I have quite a ways to go. Writing about love demands vulnerability.
Shalom aleichem
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Love this! Once again, you’ve created well-rounded characters with so few words!
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Thank you, Jemi.
Shalom aleichem
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Beautiful use of the prompt. A flash as arresting as Salvatore’s face. Thank you for posting for WEP. Season’s greetings to you.
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Thank you, Nilanjana, and it is my plan to keep posting with the WEP next year.
Shalom aleichem
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Loved it, Pat!
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Thank you, John. As a former warrior, I knew you would understand the ties that bind a couple.
Shalom aleichem
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I could feel the love and devotion to each other. Beautifully done.
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Thank you, Nick. That you could feel the love and devotion made my day.
Shalom aleichem
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Oh, such a lonely life she has. I hope their time together is awesome.
Nancy
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Thank you, N.R. Yes, a lonely life but all the more intimate when he’s there.
Shalom aleichem
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What a beautiful story, Pat. I am glad it ended on a happy note. Certainly has the potential to grow. So many intriguing subplots there.
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Thank you, Sonia. It wouldn’t be a love story if I didn’t believe in love, and I do believe in it.
Shalom aleichem
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What a touching story. So well done. So happy they are together. Now what’s the rest of the story.
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Thank you, J.Q. I don’t know whether there will be a rest of the story. I’ll have to wait and see about that.
Shalom aleichem
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Oh Pat, this is amazing. You’ve really developed that emotional side of writing which speaks to the heart.
Thank you for your constantly loyalty to WEP. I hope we can continue to interract in 2023.
Peace and Joy for the season!
Denise
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Thank you, Denise. My plans are to continue writing with the WEP. I enjoy the learning experience.
Shalom aleichem
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A intriguing, gripping story with a happy ending — perfect!
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Thank you.
Shalom aleichem
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This is brilliant Patricia. I tried to comment a few days ago but I messed up with passwords etc. this is story telling at its best. Shalom Aleichem.
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Good Morning, My Dear Susan,
Thank you for always thinking of me. I haven’t had the time to visit our little group this year, but I have missed it. You and others in that small group know some of my pitfalls and can see my progress much better than I can. Thank you for your loyalty.
Have a Merry Christmas with your family, and I wish you all a safe and blessed crossover into 2023.
Shalom aleichem
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Your writing is lovely as always. You capture the love and longing so well with your words.
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Good Morning, L.G.
Thank you. It feels good having discovered my own voice.
Shalom aleichem
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An interesting story about an unusual relationship. They seem happy enough, and that’s the important thing.
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Hi,
Thank you so much. Happiness is one of those jewels that falls in strange places. Those are the relationships that interest me.
Have a lovely day.
Shalom aleichem
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Truly beautiful. Love and trust are powerful entities – and so much better than a focus on appearance. Thank you. And congratulations on your win.
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Good Morning, Elephant’s Child,
Oh yes, I so agree. Love and trust are the most powerful entities that we humans have; if only we would accept that. It brings hope and changes our perspectives on everything.
Get well soon, and thank you so much for dropping by. I am thinking of you.
Have a lovely crossover into 2023.
Shalom aleichem
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Very beautiful. Full of so much hope. Congratulations on the win.
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Good Morning, J Lenni Dorner,
Thank you so much.
Have a lovely day.
Shalom aleichem
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I just LOVE it!!!
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Good Morning, A.J.
Thank you very much. I hope you had a joyous Christmas, and I wish you continued success in 2023.
Sending you hugs and love,.
Shalom aleichem
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I love this love story! I can see you turning it into a novel. Too! It leaves you with the reader wanting more! Great job! Great job of words!
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Hi Pat – well done on winning the December WEP Challenge – congratulations … cheers Hilary
PS I loved the story this time of reading as I did when I first read it … Happy New Year …
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Sigh. Trying to log in destroyed my comment. Basically: a beautiful little love story, and some intriguing characters with whom you could do a lot more. A well-deserved win.
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