Caught In A Spin #flashfiction #microcosms

Posted on Jul 29, 2018 by TanGental

The gendarmerie were first on the scene. Soft insistent voices, urging her to hang on.

Hang on? To what? They wouldn’t say.

‘What’s your name. Mademoiselle? Can you hear me.’

‘Marie. Marie De la Frontielle.’ It was as much as her body allowed. She felt so tired.

‘We’ll have you out soon.’

Out? Doctor Martine’s face floated into her vision. His words measured, serious. Trapping her with the diagnosis. No ‘out’, not for her. Not now. Her body was her prison now.

‘It’s like an ice rink out here. Why was she going so fast?’

She always went fast, the ice always her friend: spins, Lutzes, toe-loops, Salchows, nothing stopped her. The applause. Rippling over her, holding her up, making her fly.

‘How long will the Peripherique be shut, do you think? She’s stopped everything for miles.’

‘Who’s the driver?’

‘That figure skater? In the Winter Olympics?’

‘Her? The one…?’

‘Yeah. Fell twice. Never happened before. Her chance of the title. Tragic.’

Tragic? Falling on ice isn’t a tragedy. Even twice. Even losing a final. It’s not being able to stand up afterwards, that’s going to be her tragedy.

‘Do you think she meant it?’

‘Falling?’

‘No, this. Looks like she crashed deliberately.’

‘Why’d she do that? No, the conditions are awful and she’s only young. A star. Whole life ahead of her. Why’d she want to do this?’

Once that was true. Before Doctors and tests and MS. That’s when she had a life.

‘You think she’ll survive?’

Please, no, not that. I wanted to live; surviving isn’t enough.

‘It’d be a tragedy if she does. Look at her legs.’

About TanGental

My name is Geoff Le Pard. Once I was a lawyer; now I am a writer. I've published several books: a four book series following Harry Spittle as he grows from hapless student to hapless partner in a London law firm; four others in different genres; a book of poetry; four anthologies of short fiction; and a memoir of my mother. I have several more in the pipeline. I have been blogging regularly since 2014, on topic as diverse as: poetry based on famous poems; memories from my life; my garden; my dog; a whole variety of short fiction; my attempts at baking and food; travel and the consequent disasters; theatre, film and book reviews; and the occasional thought piece. Mostly it is whatever takes my fancy. I avoid politics, mostly, and religion, always. I don't mean to upset anyone but if I do, well, sorry and I suggest you go elsewhere. These are my thoughts and no one else is to blame. If you want to nab anything I post, please acknowledge where it came from.
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34 Responses to Caught In A Spin #flashfiction #microcosms

  2. Ritu says:
    Jul 29, 2018 at 2:02 pm

    This is really quite sad…

    Like

    Reply
  4. Judy E Martin says:
    Jul 29, 2018 at 2:34 pm

    A very sad story in so many ways, Geoff, poor Marie.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. Bobby Blade says:
    Jul 29, 2018 at 4:44 pm

    Great read, with amazing visuals! Great job!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. pensitivity101 says:
    Jul 29, 2018 at 5:04 pm

    Oh god…….. how awful.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. thecontentedcrafter says:
    Jul 29, 2018 at 7:34 pm

    Oh dear heavens!! This is a hard hitting bite of tragedy. And so well crafted!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. Erika Kind says:
    Jul 29, 2018 at 8:14 pm

    My God, that is really tragic. But very impressively written, Geoff!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. willowdot21 says:
    Jul 29, 2018 at 9:45 pm

    As they finally cut her free, the fireman who had been merrily keeping her conscious turned to his boss and whispered “I have lost her pulse” . She did not live, she did not survive no she jumped out of the car and skated off into the night leaving her weakened and broken body behind to a chorus of perfect 10s from her guardian angel and his mates.
    Two hours later the Peripherique reopened, no one cares what had caused the accident they all were just grateful that that mangled car and body were not theirs! 💜

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  10. Yvonne says:
    Jul 30, 2018 at 12:01 am

    Another “Wow” from the Southern Hemisphere. I hope willowdot21’s ending came true!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  11. Chelsea Owens says:
    Jul 30, 2018 at 3:38 am

    So…. now you’re crippling French people? I think I need a new shrink.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  12. pjlazos says:
    Jul 30, 2018 at 6:27 pm

    Oh, wow. My husband had MS so I can relate to this on so many levels.😩

    Like

    Reply
  13. JT Twissel says:
    Jul 31, 2018 at 12:31 am

    “Trapping her with the diagnosis” – well put.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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