Lisa and Brian sat on the leather couch in their therapist’s office that morning, like they had every Tuesday morning, for the last month.
“I’m telling you there is nothing behind the wall except a space where the wind whistles! I am transparent. I hide nothing. I don’t even know why you insist we play these games where we look behind imaginary walls,” Brian whined and then stood up. His eyes moved toward the door.
“Brian, sit back down,” their therapist pleaded. “Don’t run away.”
He remained standing but then moved behind the couch to pace back and forth. “Maybe I run away from crumbling castles,” he sighed, “all that wreckage.”
Lisa stood and walked to her husband. “Maybe we’ve gutted the house, but I always wanted an open floor plan. This can be the fun part,” she promised, eyes bright, “let’s renovate.”
Written for the dVerse prompt: Write a piece of flash fiction or other prose (not a poem) of up to or exactly 144 words, including the given line,
“there is nothing behind the wall
except a space where the wind whistles”
from “Drawings By Children” by Lisel Mueller.
Tricia Sankey 
Wonderful snapshot of how it takes wisdom as well as love to make a marriage work. I hope Brian has the ingenuity and commitment that Lisa obviously does!
Thanks, Dora! I was going for a hopeful message here. The prompt just had me go there with walls, I love to psychoanalyze, haha!
A storyteller’s prerogative 😉
I think that Lisa has a good idea and is smart to look for ways to salvage the situation.
~cie from poetry of the netherworld~
Thanks for the review and share! 🙂
Some people are afraid to break down those walls but it’s a worthwhile exercise!
The prompt just took me to this internal struggle. I enjoy the metaphors!
I don’t say that the home renovation plan will work, but Lisa is showing willing, and that’s the point 🙂
True ❤️ thanks for your comments, Jane!
🙂
Sigh ..💝 this is such a heart-stirring write, Tricia! It take a lot to make a relationship work 🙂 I resonate with; “Maybe I run away from crumbling castles,”… men do that.. (some of them anyway) it is up to us to help them as we venture towards “renovating!” 😉
True ❣️ I know every relationship is different but the running away and avoidance part does seem a problem with many men! Thanks, Sanaa!
Nice one!!! Nothing like when the 2 players deceide to give it a try.
Thanks for dropping by to read mine
Much💗love
Thanks, Gillena! 🍷
your clever piece has drawn us all in … men do emotional avoidance particularly well! But sounds like his wife has found a constructive solution 🙂
Yes! I like your constructive criticism! 🙂
lol
I think it will work… if Brian just allows it, he will find it’s much better this way.
A positive outlook is always a good thing! Thanks!
Actually, that is a very good prompt to begin with. Good take!
Thanks so much ❤️
I hope they can work together in the renovation. Thank you for this original take on the prompt!
It was a great prompt, thanks Merril! ❣️
You’re welcome. I’m so pleased you enjoyed it!