Flash Fiction: From the Water’s Edge

Flash fiction story about a shared moment between strangers.

From the Water’s Edge was the first story I had published, shortly after I created this website back in 2016. This story was on my mind recently, and then within a week, I had two people mention this piece to me and how I should share it again. I hope you enjoy.


I don’t know the woman sitting across the coffee shop, but I know her sadness. I have never spoken to her, but we discuss her life over sips of latte and stolen glances over paper mugs.

Her smile wraps around me and I feel the warmth of a thousand summer days, but I’m haunted by the faintest downturn at the edges of her lips.

I imagine the brilliance of her ocean blue eyes in her youth. Even now, they sparkle, but I want to weep because beyond their brilliance there’s loss.

My heart feels weighted as she flips the page of the book in front of her, and I see her weathered hands dab at the corners of her eyes.

I turn the page of my notebook, pretending not to notice.

When I look up again, she’s staring at me. She winks, and I’m washed away in a tidal wave.

I wonder if she’s heard my whispered sorrow as we’ve carried on our silent conversation.

I feel my face redden at the realization of my exposure. I think she somehow knows how I cry in the shower unheard. Tears over lost loved ones and lost dreams, wash away down the drain where no one will find them.

She knows. She knows me and I don’t even know her name, but somehow she knows me better than anyone.

She mouths, “It’ll be okay.”

Somehow, I believe her. Because, even though the remnants of her grief tug at the corners of her eyes and her mouth, her eyes still sparkle, and I believe.

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6 Responses

  1. Such a beautiful short story! Very much worth sharing again.

    That first line totally roped me in and pulled me along through the rest of the story. And that ending paragraph was perfect. Just so beautiful and well done! 🤩

  2. Beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. You’re so good with emotions!

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