All Comments on 'Your Choice'

Poor Tom. He will still get the blame when the marriage fails.

that marriage is toast

She is stupidly selfish if she thinks she is not destroying thei marriage

Very good but would love to read a longer version including the fallout.

An interesting vignette. I would like to see a breakdown of the rationale. We get the I love yous and the urges but never have we had a real dive into the why - or what love actually IS or means.

It's a weird one. This is clearly her wanting this but trying to frame it as a noble deed, almost a sacrifice. He's right - he's being set up as the bad guy. And the petulant one complaining about such a tiny thing

But he's right. The next question is what happens when Richard or Robert calls and says "I'm on the edge again" - she'll dash off. Being the gothic heroine, loving the tragedy.

Her husband is basically a safe harbour in her eyes. He isn't a person he is a comfort and an accessory. She doesn't love him she wants him as a security. Which isn't love. It's fondness for a familiar, comfortable thing.

Because love involves sacrifice and selflessness. It involves deferring or ignoring or avoiding things that will harm your partner. Not just following whims.

Yes, "Goodbye, Sandy."

Another one bites the dust!

4

I'd love to see a followup where she goes to the resort with Richard and Richard sees how she destroys her current marriage and decides she's only worth the romp in bed for the weekend and then drops her for hi "true love".

Sh'e be out her marriage and her lover. Just sayin.

I know this is a 750 word challenge, but this really needs a more developed ending. So five stars for the content, and three stars for me personally for the ending.

5 stars for doing a good job on being short and to the point.

Sincerely,

Payenbrant

Very well written. Good set up. But this isn't a story. It's a set up. I hate these 750 word things. They are just basically set ups to stories. You are a good writer. So now that you've met the 750 word challenge, go back and rewrite this. Give us the full story. As I've said many times in LW, FINISH THE DAMNED STORY!

A good start of what will, when finished, be an excellent story. Please continue it.

I'm not much of a fan of the 750 word concept. That being said, this is an excellent example.

There's no question this had the potential to be a very good full length story.

However, for the commenters who are howling for this story to be finished. This is an entire, complete story unto itself. The author gave us to who's, what's and why's

Well done sir. Very well done. Keep up the great writing and thank you for sharing your talents.

Good story and the only plausible outcome. Time to tell all her friends and family and anyone else they know what she is going to do and make it crystal clear the husband doesn't want her to this. The choice is all hers if she goes through with it then its her who will be left with the consequences.

Yet another sloppy story where a character’s name changes. First, it’s “Robert”. Then it’s “Richard”.

"Goodbye" indeed was the only option! No need to be finished! She ended everything herself with her stupid choice! 4*

"he'll die without me"

And she has a magic pussy that will cure the guy with one dose?

Classical delusional woman. Strong man that doesn't waffle and doesn't acquiesce.

The weakness of a 750 story is that it doesn't allow any long explanation of the topic. With a simple theme, that can work. The theme here is more complex and cannot be resolved in a short format. She walks away confident she is in the right and delusionally unaccepting of the price she will pay. One of the important aspects in the "Loving Wives" stories is seeing the cheater pay a price for their actions. This format precludes that. It might have been more effective to shift the time to after the cheating, wife meets ex husband, a brief summation of what happened, and then the impact on the wife as she is now fully aware how it hurt her husband and what it cost her.

The only thing I find wrong with this story (except Robert/Richard) is the time line. He was held captive for only four years, in that time she grieved, she met another man, they courted and they married. Either she didn't really love Robert/Richard, she didn't grieve, they married just after he disappeared or she was lying to both of them.

Robert/Richard should have honored her new situation and moved on unless he just want another roll in the hay at her marriage's expense.

Yes a great story ruined by this 750 word garbage. This could be and should be a fantastic story if you let it run instead of killing it midway . It has all the hallmarks of what could be a superb story yet you are killing it with this 750 word garbage. I’m so sorry for this rant but it’s a great story which is being really ruined by only writing 750 words and to me that is a true tragedy.

Agree with 'Tajfa'

Would like to read an expanded version and the fall out.

Her Florence Nightingale syndrome will kill the marriage. Robert won’t be the man she fantasized about after he disappeared. He will take what she offers then tell her he has too much life to catch up on and walk away to find other experiences. She will lose everything.

Agree with others. Needs a part 2 to explain what happens after her night away. Does hubby disappear, btb, reconcile? Is her night away what she thought it would be, I suppose former boyfriend changed quite a bit given what happened, maybe he’s now a broken man, perhaps distrustful, which would be understandable.

No need for a part 2. His last comment "Goodbye Sandy" was enough. That is a "goodbye forever" statement.

Although I feel another chapter should happen but really not necessary. She made her choice and I believe he did as well once she walked at that door

needs more! part two for fall out. more explanation on whats happening.

Really well written piece but not a complete story on either end of the timeframe. 4.0*

Sometimes, a good appetizer is all you need. I’m not a fan of word count challenges, but you did well. Robert or Richard? I can get over that. I know how tough it can be to keep names straight when writing.

The biggest problem I have with 750 word challenges is that the reader has no chance to invest in the characters. I liked this. I gave it 5*. I’ll also forget it by lunch. The potential in this story for real emotional depth is off the charts, but in 750 words it can only be shallow. Nice work, but a fully fleshed out offering would be great.

So is he a dual personality, Richard or Robert? In 750 words you couldn't keep the antagonist straight?

One can only hope that Robert was well treated by his captors because I feel his treatment from this wronged husband will be much , much worse! 5 stars.

I agree with BarryJames1952 completely. I hope 2wrongs or someone else writes a sequel. I can see where a person in isolated captivity would have a lot of problems adjusting after release, and this could cause huge problems for their loved ones. Four stars.

Needs a second part. 4 stars from the bear. Please, crucify her. grow a pair, Tom.

The BEAR

Personally, I loved it, 5*. This doesn't need an ending or more detail. I say "Bah!" to those that want a story beat into the ground. This was to the point and did not include unnecessary details. Great short story writing only needs the important stuff. We know that Tom is leaving Sandy and Sandy is only looking at her feelings (and maybe her ex).

This was really interesting... I know that you are going to be savaged by the needs a longer conclusion crowd and you made a name mistake, but this was very, very well written. I would suggest throwing it open to letting a few authors write what happens next.

I love the question posed in this story, but I equally love the answer given. I believe asking the question ended the marriage,

Sandy made her decision and Tom made his. "Goodbye Sandy." Toms Final statement is end of story.

I thought the ending was just fine, but I know you're going to catch hell for it. It could go either way but it was a great job. Thanks for the story.

I gave it 4-stars only for the last line in the story.

Wish you would have made this one a bit longer. It was just enough to Kickstart the plot, then flatlined.

Tom deserves so much better.

Please tell me you're doing a part 2!

Good right up until the point you either ran out of thoughts or words and then the bottom fell out of the whole story when you failed to finish it. I simply detest stories in which the author either wants me to "imagine" my own ending or thinks they are being clever by not finishing the story. BAH!

No matter what he said her mind was made up, funny thing is, the relationship with the other guy is doomed too. Trying to build a loving relationship upon the ruins of your other love is like building a house on a foundation of sand.

Any statement starting with "If you (really) love me...." indicates that the scene involves at least one severely flawed character. The rest is just gap filling.

Poor soul. He has no one and now neither does the husband or his wife. What a fool she is. Its only sex, right? Not love, BS. Good short story.

Y’all go get it the last sentence tells it all, he says goodbye, Sandy, he will be gone Sunday.

Downside with these 750 word projects is its almost like a writer does them as they can't complete a full story. Seen many do a good write up for 750 words but when they attempt to expand it goes south. 4 from me as this could have been more.

Such a short story, and you could not sort out whether old loves name was Robert or Richard. You got the R right though, congratulation on that!

Then we shall die without each other.

Not even a sketch

3 stars

Good start, however, it needs a second part outlining what happened next.

Nice start. But only a start.

It needs an aftermath chapter.

Yes please include the no fault divorce she is served with at Robert's place

Nice short story, thanks for writing.

Duh! Were u on something high when u wrote???

It's a true challenge to write a 750 piece with satisfying closure, and while I think you did an excellent job, like others have said, this could indeed have follow-up. Doesn't NEED one, but could.

Is she staying with both Richad and Robert?

She cheated from the moment she thought about going with another man.

She’s totally untrustworthy!

He’d never have another days peace if he didn’t BTB! Then do his best to destroy the cause of his problem.

Concise and sad well written

that plot has major potential. the husband that disappeared captive for 4 years!!! the trials and tribulation that could be spun off of that are endless. I would love to see a 20K word story on that ;-)

This kind of story does not lend itself to 750 words. Would have been better served with more backstory, character insights, and epilogue.

Can't even get the characters names right, 1*

He did the right thing

If you love me, you would let me boink him.

Well, we know what sandy chose. Now we just have to see if Tom is true to his moral standards and retains his "backbone" and self respect by dumping his delusional, slut wife. Cheers.

Great job on a 750 word story, especially given the subject matter and how much more is often needed.

I would love to see a chapter 2 and if you do, no need to limit it to 750 words. But what a challenge that would be!

Gracias! 5 stars.

I would like to echo others - a second chapter would be great.

5*

Well-told moment in time, a pivotal moment with no coming back. Once would never have been enough. I would never trust her in the future. He has to move on.

Nice treatment of a difficult situation. Would hope to have a follow-up by the author.

"He'll die without me!" Wait, WHUT ?

Other than that, I liked it. I choose to believe she made her decision, and then he stood by his.

Annulment would be appropriate

A follow up for the divorce would be good.

“Goodbye Sandy”, enough said she whored herself out for the other guy. The end of story.

Good bye Sandy, see you in divorce court.

“Goodbye, Sandy” is too indefinite. He should have told her that there marriage was already over, that he’d never trust her again.

She was never over Robert, and married onthe rebound. At this point, it doesn’t even matter if she has her one night; se wants it and it will eat at her that se didn’t get it.

@jocko_smith I assume it's something like he thinks he has nothing left to live for / no connection to anyone bc his family is gone and she is gone. Suicide is an option. So she's going to show him that no, what we had was real, and you can still have love. Or something like that.

It's a cool situation, bc Sandy really is in a tough spot. Not that she's making a good choice, but it is a tough spot. Compare to Andyhym's "Two Rings" (which I guess he's taken down) which has a vaguely similar situation.

A sequel would be interesting. Tom really does divorce Sandy, she cleaves to Robert/Richard – but he has his own troubles, PTSD from his captivity, can't hold onto a job etc. Their life is tough. Tom goes thru a rough phase, so she feels guilty there too. But Tom starts to pick himself back up. Meanwhile Rob/Rich silently resents that she was with another man, and strongly suspects she really loves Tom and only stays out of guilt. Meanwhile there's a lady at the group therapy sessions he goes to, who's had similar experiences. He feels more of a connection with her....

A brilliant example of what can be done in 750 words. Kudos.

No doubts here. Clear lines were drawn, and the goodbye was final. Well done! Thanks for writing!

Well done a perfect snapshot of pain

That marriage was doomed the moment she asked for a hall-pass - trust was killed. She already 'emotionally' detached from Tom. Tom needs to be glad they had no kids.

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But does Richard really want a woman that can so casually humiliate and toss away her husband? If she values her commitments so little why couldn't she do it to Rich?

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Time for Tom to pack a bag and seek a new life - even if she does not go to Rich for the weekend - she will eventually despise Tom. The serpent has struck that marriage the acidic venom is dripping.

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5***** Hooyah...

She picked. No way back. D

She had made her choice even if she didn't know it when she made the decision to give her self to him. I would love to hear the aftermath you would have come up with, but still a wonderful tale.

A sad story very well written, and probably more realistic than most. *****

"I need you to allow me to do this or I'm going to live with regret for the rest of my life." - Maybe she'll regret it if she DOES do it.

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"Can't you see how happy this would make me?" - Yes, HER.

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"All that love would just come back to you" - All her love should come to him anyway!

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"our reunion would be even more thrilling because of the excitement while we were apart." - As he said, HER excitement.

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"you can accept this if you really love me." - That's one of the cheapest cheating wife lines.

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"He'll die without her." - Talk about an inflated ego! Ge survived four years in captivity, he'll survive without her. Plus, they've both changed.

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This is another "Torn Between Two Lovers" type story, where only SHE can heal this broken man.

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FTDS.

To those saying that the story IS complete, no, the opening act is complete. There's still so much to tell. At the least the author could have authorized follow-ups.

Assume "goodbye" is the ending, but wouldn't mind a follow up. Otherwise just another short story about one more stupid cheating skank slut who doesn't have a brain in her head.

This doesn't need anything else added to it. It's a stark reality of a bad choice. 5*

Can't wait for the results. Why do women, no matter the reason, think they can check out and fuck someone else for a day and thinks will go on as before on her return. It's so selfish and disrespectful.

So, rather than let Robert die, she killed her husband. A real loving wife.

Know, only 750 words, but what was really missing was a few words on how the marriage was already dead once she asked. How will he ever know that she does not meet up with the guy for a quickie now and then whenever she can? So even if she doesn't go now... when will she?

He should have just said right off the bat to do whatever you want as we are toast.

If she fucks Richard, why would he have Robert on his mind??

Robert or Richard? Bob or Duck? It was 750 words, did you even bother to proofread your work? Nice idea though I hate the 750 word “stories” and would rather know what happened next. So many delusional women in these stories, lol.

He was her second choice since first choice was gone for four years. He got it right when he said "...even if you want to come back".

The story had the correct ending .... its HIS only choice after he learned about her what she showed him!

I will say, though, that 750 words almost never does justice to a story including just one trope, much less the two that this one combined.

As did this one, a 750 word story usually leaves its reader (or at least this one) unsatisfied.

A good read except for one thing. How the hell do you get the name of one of your characters wrong in a 750 word story? Is the ex called Robert or Richard?

Pretty good. Four stars.

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At least she was honest to some degree. Her choice. Her outcomes and regrets are on her.

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If he will "die without me" how does that equate to one week end? Sounds more like a life time of having "compassion" for Richard/Robert. Tom smart to move on. Let Sandy be dead to him with short term mourning but no regrets.

good story, good pacing, good conclusion. Add a sequel if you want, but this stands well on its own.

I think I'll take a stab at finishing this one myself.

I liked it. 5* We all know what happened. There are a bunch of longer versions of this exact scenario out there.

BTW. 2 wrongs. Maybe do a longer version with different people.

Was it Robert or Richard?

Another story with great potential destroyed by the 750 word bullshit. Sorry I wasted my time.