Dust
I sit on the porch, watching your dust settle.
It was all a lie. A performance. Years of attention and validation that you required of me blow away, meaningless as the dust your truck tires kicked up.
A little pushback, and I’m dead to you.
You taught me a lesson. I’ve now eaten from the poisoned apple of narcissism, one I accepted too gladly. God damn your charm. And God help the next who tries to make me his supply.
The dust has already returned to the earth, your impact forgotten.
Now it’s my turn to do the same.
This story is inspired by the prompt over at Carrot Ranch: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a poisoned apple.
I took the angle I did because for my current work in progress, I’ve had to study the guts of narcissism (specifically in romantic relationships), which has been both enlightening and frightening. I’d say likening narcissism to a poisonous fruit is apt.
Allison Maruska 
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This story unfolds in the time it takes for the dust to settle. Sharp writing!
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Thanks! 😁
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I really like where you went with this one.
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Thanks! 🙂
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Nice take on the prompt. Sounds like fascinating (disturbing) research. Have a hopeful pub date for the WIP?
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Thanks! And yes! Shooting for February 4th. 🙂
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Excellent!
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A great take on this prompt, Allison.
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Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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A lovely piece, Maruska, long time no see?
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The editing cave is deep… 👀
Thanks for the reblog! 😁
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I just realized the editing cave thing was in yesterday’s post. LOL
I *am* planning on posting things more regularly. 😉
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Looking forward to seeing you more often…
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Hi Allison, that’s a poignant story. I usually flinch at certain words like G.D., but it’s like a serious petition in this sense. Let his charm die like the dust that settles when he’s gone. Are you on Facebook? Someone in the International Flash Fiction Network group shared the following story you may like over at Fictive Dream (and if you are on FB, check out that group. They share great flash fiction). https://fictivedream.com/2019/08/09/separation-of-a-narcissist/
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Thanks for the link! I’ll check it out.
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