A Staged Scene.

“It’s such a beautiful photo. You look so happy.”

I felt the blow to my stomach and I was winded and nauseous. Words really can strike life a knife.

I had been avoiding photographs for so long. I did not want lies or reminders of lies. A picture to be interpreted as anything but the truth. I merely wanted to survive life as it was right now. I was aiming to push on through it, exist within it, and hopefully make it better. I wanted to be quietly, silently, grateful for the beautiful moments shining in the dark, but I did not want to share my truth. I did not want someone recording what I was not ready to share, but nor did I want to have to lie. A staged scene of forced smiles, portraying a happy moment for the benefit of others, felt like the boldest and most cruel of lies.

------

Copyright © Highcroft Writing 2018

#flashfiction #highcroftwriting #originalwriting