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Alone and Lonely

January 13, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner 32 Comments

wine

“White wine, please.” She sits at the end of the bar and blends in with the other faceless people. She is alone. Alone and lonely yet surrounded by laughter and dancing and music so loud the wine vibrates in her glass. Everything feels forced—the energy in this place, the smiles plastered all around, even her breathing—inhale, exhale. She takes a sip, feels the coolness slip down her throat and silently toasts the New Year. Things can only get better…

“Bourbon rocks.” He claims the next stool. The faint smell of his cologne almost invokes a memory, but not quite.

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

This post was written especially for Write Tribe – 100 Words on Saturday, Prompt: Strangers in the Night.

Musical Pairing:

Frank Sinatra, Strangers in the Night

Filed Under: Writing Tagged With: 100 Words on Saturday, fiction, Write Tribe

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Comments

  1. Barbara Tate says

    January 13, 2014 at 6:01 am

    Very good. Intriguing..

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      January 13, 2014 at 10:32 am

      Thanks:)

      Reply
  2. Colene says

    January 13, 2014 at 8:08 am

    Oh my! This must have a sequel!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      January 13, 2014 at 10:32 am

      Hmmm, I’ll have to think on that. Thanks Colene!

      Reply
  3. Colene says

    January 13, 2014 at 8:11 am

    Oh my! This needs a sequel!

    Reply
  4. Payal Agarwal says

    January 13, 2014 at 9:06 am

    “Things can only get better..” well said!:)

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      January 13, 2014 at 10:32 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  5. nabanita says

    January 13, 2014 at 9:22 am

    Things can only get better indeed!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      January 13, 2014 at 10:32 am

      Thank you Nabanita!

      Reply
  6. Ashley says

    January 13, 2014 at 11:44 am

    You must finish this. I need to know what happens…

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      January 13, 2014 at 2:49 pm

      haha thanks!

      Reply
  7. Kathy Combs says

    January 13, 2014 at 12:28 pm

    I really wanted this little story to continue! What happened with the dark, handsome stranger that smelled divine?? Brilliant job! ♥

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      January 13, 2014 at 2:49 pm

      Thanks Kathy!

      Reply
  8. Lyn Fenwick says

    January 13, 2014 at 12:50 pm

    I am intrigued!…and curious about the first morning of the new year!!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      January 13, 2014 at 2:49 pm

      me too Lyn! Thanks!

      Reply
  9. Martha Orlando says

    January 13, 2014 at 3:07 pm

    Oh, what will happen next! Don’t leave us hanging! 🙂

    Reply
  10. Jane Gatewood says

    January 13, 2014 at 3:40 pm

    Wonderful opening and terrific bridge to part “next.” Well done!

    Reply
  11. Lin @ DisneyMamas says

    January 13, 2014 at 4:47 pm

    Very interesting!

    Reply
  12. Kip says

    January 13, 2014 at 8:04 pm

    Another good one that one want to read more. Very nice.

    Reply
  13. Jennifer says

    January 13, 2014 at 10:45 pm

    I’m definitely intrigued! I’d love to see where this goes next!! 🙂

    Reply
  14. The Magic Quill says

    January 14, 2014 at 3:08 am

    I agree with the others above – you must continue this! Well written!

    Reply
  15. aayeshahakim says

    January 14, 2014 at 7:00 am

    Hope things get better 🙂

    Reply
  16. Dorothy Johnson says

    January 14, 2014 at 7:55 am

    Well done! I agree that it could definitely be the beginning of a story, but it’s terrific just as it stands.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      January 14, 2014 at 12:32 pm

      Thanks Dorothy:)

      Reply
  17. vishalbheeroo says

    January 14, 2014 at 10:53 pm

    Interesting take and calls for a second part to put an end to the mystery.
    Cheerz

    Reply
  18. A Walk into the Woods says

    January 15, 2014 at 8:42 am

    Seems so familiar, she could be me. 😛
    Beautifully expressed. Subtle.

    Reply
  19. Barbara Tate says

    January 15, 2014 at 5:13 pm

    This could be the first lines of a new book………….

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      January 16, 2014 at 6:09 am

      So many book ideas, so little time.

      Reply
  20. Muffett says

    July 6, 2014 at 11:25 pm

    Loneliness and faceless people seem to be an unfortunate way of life these days for many individuals. White wine and bourbon may help numb their pain but rarely is it the answer. Life is grim, life is grand, it’s all a state of mind. We’re over half way thru the year. How, may I ask, has it faired for her thus far? Hopefully her glass is half full versus half empty. Let us know please, enquiring minds are curious.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 7, 2014 at 6:14 am

      Well, Muffett, since this was completely fiction written in response to a prompt, I can’t say I’ve thought any more about this lonely person. So let’s assume all is well and much improved for her:)

      Reply
      • Muffett says

        July 7, 2014 at 12:16 pm

        Great answer Talya! It’s nice to know she’s doing well these days 😉

        I absolutely love reading your blog. You have a way of transferring to paper many thoughts that are in my head … perhaps it’s an Arkansas country girl thing. Thank you so much for sharing and I’m sincerely looking forward to buying and reading your book once it’s published.

        Remember the summer of ’75 at cheerleading camp when we lost Debbie Cunningham. We were in the downstairs lobby of the dorm and couldn’t find her anywhere, and crunched for time to go eat before tryouts. The elevator door opens and she’s standing inside holding up a key and yells, “I FORGOT MY KEY”! Then, she leaves her retainer on her food tray and dumps it along with her food. Anita had a sun stroke and had to go home early. Becky sat on her suitcase and squashed it flat. We all forgot the cheer and cried during the middle of our tryout so that instructor guy named Dan gave us an Excellent ribbon. That was one fulfilled memorable week I’ll never forget – with the exception of Anita’s sun stroke.

        I feel so much better now and thinking seriously about having a glass of white wine later this evening 😀

        Reply
        • Talya Tate Boerner says

          July 8, 2014 at 4:54 am

          Those cheerleader camp days were the best, homemade outfits and all! I don’t remember Anita’s sun stroke. I thought she sprained her ankle. Maybe that was a different year – LOL. I do remember the Debbie Cunningham incident. haha. We were always after that elusive spirit stick.

          Reply

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Talya Tate Boerner


Hi! I'm Talya. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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