Photo by Lisa Shambrook Instagram (please do not use without permission)
It was the imprint in the sofa, the flattened cushion and the worn patch in the carpet.
It was the ridge in the centre of the bed; she’d tried sleeping on his side, letting her body mould into the contours of the mattress, but she could never get comfortable, could never sleep that way.
It was the lack of matching knives, forks and spoons at the dining table, no need for the half-full jar of Marmite, and too much milk in the fridge.
It was the shaving gel and razor still sitting lonesome on the bathroom shelf, and the memory of aftershave.
It was those sad puppy eyes his beloved old Labrador gave her when they sat together in the quiet sitting room, with too much to think about, surrounded by ghosts and empty hearts.
Written for Lillie McFerrin’s Five Sentence Fiction.
The Last Krystallos 
Oh Lisa – that's really (I want to say gut wrenching but that sounds too harsh). I don't know if someone has died or just left, I think probably died. Such a sad story beautifully told.
Very moving, captured the detail well. leaves me wanting to know more.
Quite moving. Reading this I saw a woman who has lost someone very dear to her, like her husband/lover, through some unfortunate event, like a divorce or even worse death. A definite void has been created which she's trying to fill but to no avail. She even tries to get the sense of his presence by trying to sleep in the depression his body has made but it doesn't feel right, she needs him there. Although the use of Marmite makes this endeavor quite British, its slogan of "Love it or leave it" fits the mood I feel you're trying to make.
I love this story. It is beautifully written, full of emotion, heart, and soul. I love it. It makes me want to know more of her and her story.
This was soulful … brilliantly visioned !!!
You hit the nail on the head Sarah, I was trying to encompass the grief of bereavement. And gut wrenching is good! 🙂
Thanks Miranda, I'm a details girl!
Definitely a void in her life, I was capturing death and the emptiness it leaves behind, all those little things that remind you… Thanks for your comment Robin.
So glad you loved it, thank you for a lovely comment!
Thanks so much for the lovely comment, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Sad indeed, made even more profound by the last two words, "empty hearts." And a little intriguing, too, perhaps a little bitter sweet? Probably because I think of grief creating a "heavy" heart. And I must ask, why was there "no need for the half-full jar of Marmite?"
Thanks for your comments Rossandra. The Marmite thing is very British, you either love it or hate it, with her husband gone (he loved it) it's not something she eats, so now left to go to waste. Sort of goes along with the other little reminders of what's missing now he's gone!
Beautifully realized, dear Lisa. When someone disappears from our life, they don't, do they? Your story understands and reflects the grief process so well. These are the moments no one understands until he/she has gone through it.
So true Jo, death can never erase the memories, or even the 'ghosts' that will always accompany us in a non-paranormal way! Thank you so much for commenting!
Lisa, this is amazing. You've encompassed that horrible empty feeling where one's heart used to be prior to the death of a loved one. Excellent use of the prompt and excellent writing. A beautiful piece. Loved it.
Thank you Jayne! It's all in the little things…
Very, very well done! You've managed to make the feelings of trying to cope with loss very tangible in your use of detail. Adding the sad doggie eyes was very clever. I want this woman and the dog to go on to find happier times. Sad, but not morbid, such a good read!
Love how each sentence starts the same, magnifying the emptiness of someone passing away. Beautifully written as always Lisa with extreme sensitivity of the subject. x
You really wrote these emotions well.
Hard-fisted yet soulful. You do such lovely work, Lisa — so much implied in those handful of images!
There's always hope isn't there? Thanks Josie!
Thanks Lizzie, love your comment, those little things do magnify the situation.
Thanks Bo, your comment means a lot!
Sometimes grief punches in the gut at the same time as pulling at the heart strings…Thanks for commenting Angela!
I really felt the loss in this piece – the Marmite and his side of the matress. Fantastic work.
Thanks Sarah, I'm glad it worked, and i loved your piece this week, it really resonated with me!
Sensitive and beautifully done.You captured it well.Cheers!JzB
I adore this, Lisa! It's the everyday, simple things, that remind you constantly something is missing. Just beautiful!!
Thank you so much!
Always the little things, the things you don't consider until they hit you. Thanks for your lovely comment Lillie!