Funny, what people throw out. That picture was probably valued and admired once, but now it’s a ruin. The victim of neglect and over-familiarity, it’s no longer interesting. Dump it. Crush it in the compactor of the garbage truck, and don’t give it another thought.
Lila knew exactly how that felt.
Just Writing! 
Poor Lila. This is why we’ve coined the phrase, “Move on.” And it sounds like she needs to, somehow. (The typo’s cute, given the setting.) 😉
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Typo? I’ve read it three times and I don’t see what you see!
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Oh good grief. NOW I see it 🙂 Fixing.
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Dear Linda,
Apparently I missed the typo. 😉 Brevity is the soul of wit in this story. Poignant and sad.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle. The typo was in the last line. I wrote, “Lila new. . .” instead of “Lila knew. . .” silly mistake 🙂
I hadn’t planned such a short piece, but after I wrote that last line, it just seemed the natural place to stop. Today’s post was not one that I had to slice and dice to stay within the word limit!
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I’ve always thought the best place to keep memories is in the head
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Times change, fashions change, people change.
Life goes on.
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Wow, Linda. Really nailed it. I’m sure Lila had some big reason to do it, maybe not, but it IS funny what all gets thrown out.
Great job!
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This was a very poignant piece, Linda. The last line really drives the nail in.
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Thanks 🙂
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Novelty is, by definition, not a lasting quality. Poignant, Linda.
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Good point 🙂
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Lila seems bitter, and like she has good reason to be.
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Yes–but I hope she doesn’t stay there too long. Bitterness only poisons the bearer.
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Beautifully written.
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I’ve always liked hanging onto tangible souvenirs of the past. I can understand how throwing aways something like that could represent doing the same thing to Lila.
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Exactly. Thanks 🙂
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That’s a hard feeling from which to bounce back. As the cliché says, “When you hit bottom, there’s nowhere to go but up.”
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True. Or you could just stay there and waste the rest of your life, I guess 🙂
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One of the symptoms of an unhealthy throwaway society. People are not exempt from being considered disposable 😦 Well-told but sorrowful tale.
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Spot on, Jade. Thanks.
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like it or not, everything has a shelf life.
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A relatable take. But even those what people consider as “trash” are seen as “treasure” by others. 🙂
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I think we have all felt like that at some point. Moment or period usually passes. Although there are some people who chose to stay in the state (change isn’t always easy).
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Poor Lila, I hope things look up for her soon. Loved that last line.
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Thanks. I think she’ll find her way out of her personal slough of despair, but right now she’s feeling like she’s been put out with the trash!
And isn’t it funny how often we talk about our characters as if they were real 🙂
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They are real – aren’t they?
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Of course!
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Very sad for her to feel that way, but I’m sure this is much more common than we’d like to think. Melancholy tale
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Yes, very. Thanks, Lynn.
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Sometimes the best thing we can do is throw it out. Hanging on to something that has lost its value is pointless. Makes room for new. Go Lila!
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Poor Lila, to have had emotions severed and treated like garbage. The pain of life.
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She’s strong. She’s going to to be okay.
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I feel for Lila! But, I’m glad you see her as a strong person so I’ll be rooting for her. You said a lot in a few words.
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Thanks, Alicia 🙂
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A very sad story. Lila felt as disposible as those once loved items now thrown away. Hopefully, she can use the bad in her life to help make herself stronger and more determined. A lot said in so few words. Great job, Linda!
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Thanks, Brenda. It was one of the stories that kind of wrote itself–not what I planned, but it just seemed like a good place to stop!
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And that’s why they call it ‘being dumped’. I sense in Lila a resilience to keep going nonetheless. Very succinct and to the point.
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Yes, me too. She’s down, but not out!
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Poor Lila. It’s amazing how inanimate objects take on significance and meaning for us by association with memories and past events. You led us quietly up to a very hard hitting ending, Linda. Nicely done.
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Thanks so much, Michael. Appreciate your comment 🙂
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Perfect analogy for many not-so-perfect relationships.
I hadn’t heard the name Lila in years. As a youngster, I went to school with a girl named Lila. She was pretty, and her father was a doctor. Now, I wonder what ever became of her. I hope she’s well and happy, and has enjoyed a wonderful life.
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I think it’s a pretty name, Russel. Makes me think of lilacs and lilies 🙂 Thanks for your interesting comment.
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A little bit of sadness in a few words. Great job.
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Thanks, Eugenia 🙂
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Chilling last line. There is the untold story. Nice.
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Nicely done. The ending is a kick in the guts.
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Thanks 🙂
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Plenty of complex emotion in your story. I’m not convinced that Lila has what it takes to bounce back – I fear she’s a victim not just of his neglect but of her own. I hope I’m wrong!
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Me too. Some really do seem to need to be shored up by someone else, at whatever cost.
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Oh Lila. A terrible comparison. Once loved, I’m positive soon to be loved again
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