Fickle
She could not escape the silken tones of Nat King Cole.
‘Smile though your heart is aching,’
Her tears, falling silently to the tablecloth disappeared slowly into the fabric.
‘Smile even though it’s breaking,’
She slid the ring off her finger and dropped it into the coldness of her purse.
The voice behind her startled her and she looked round into the soft brown eyes of the waiter. He was tall, he was dark, he was handsome. His nameplate proclaimed ‘Giovanni.’
‘Are you OK, Madam?’
She smiled as Vera Lynn took over.
‘Tomorrow is a lovely day.’
‘Yes, grazie Giovanni.’
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleEngagement or wedding ring? Really like how you wove song lyrics into your writing, Allan.
Thank you, Margarida. Engagement I believe. I also believe the handsome Giovanni is well aware that he is a stop-gap and that’s the way he likes it. Se viene, va anche !!
If my story is shortlisted, I promise I wasn’t copying you, Allan. This is a super story anyway, like Margarida, I also like the way you have woven the words into your story, and I promise I wasn’t copying you there either ? Very nicely done!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you Carrie. I would take it as a compliment if you did copy me, but I know you haven’t.
This is going to sound strange, maybe even suspicious. But the truth is that I hadn’t checked into these Smile-stories until now that I feel ready to submit my contribution. Not only have you two also used the same musical theme from Chaplin’s movie that I used, but Allan and I had exactly the same idea of how to go about it. It’s very weird! Can I still send my story? Well,… Read more »
The title ‘Fickle’ fits your story perfectly, Allan! And what a great picture. I too love how the words of the songs blend so well with the story. And who wouldn’t welcome their very own Giovanni to cure a broken heart!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you Linda. I do appreciate the positivity you bring to this site.
I must admit my favourite part of this story is the memory of the song “Smile.” Many don’t realize it was originally composed by Charlie Chaplin for Modern Times, but Nat King Cole recorded the first version with lyrics. Like everyone else has commented, I love the way the lyrics are woven into the story. You definitely made me smile with this one, Allan. Well done!
thanks VM Preston. Makes my day when I can make somebody happy. Makes me happy too. (Now, isn’t that a song lyric from somewhere)
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleGreat story, Allan. I didn’t know the second song or the singer, but I sure did love that waiter! May we all find solace in tall, dark, handsome Italian waiters.
Thank you, Fuji. The second song is from WW2 days, but enjoyed a recent revival as its singer, Vera Lynn, recently died aged over 100. I could change the waiter to Scottish, but I think the story might lose something!
Wow! It is another great story, Allan. I also love those lyrics from a song you blended in your story. It is fascinating. And the reminder at the end: “Tomorrow is a lovely day.” is very comforting and satisfying. Very well done.
How are you? Just smile though your heart is aching. Smile even though it is breaking. I really love those line. I can’t get over it.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you Lotchie. If I’ve made you smile, you’ve made my day ?
You’re always welcome.
Maybe she’s jumping out of the fry pan and into the fire! Thanks for the chuckle, Allan. I quickly lost sympathy for her and maybe the one who dumped her had a lucky escape from this fickle woman! Well done!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you Sandra, your comments are always welcome.
I love your story, Allan, and agree with other readers that you mixed the lyrics from the old Chaplin movie very well into your story. The romantic setting in an Italian restaurant is very nice and the sad beginning luckily ends in a romantic way. As you can see from my input to Carrie’s comment, I not only used the same song as inspiration (I wanted to include Nat King Cole’s name… Read more »
I’m sure they will, Christer. Incidentally I’m thinking of writing to Nat’s estate pointing out that if there’s a revival of this song, we should be cut into a share of the profits. I suspect their answer might be rather curt and include the word ‘Off’!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI really enjoyed this story, Allan. Your title is great – it helped me remember the story when I was going through the smile shortlist to vote. You’ve certainly captured that side of human nature that might be called resilient, or might be called shallow! Good writing.