As her mount shifted uneasily under her, she grasped the brim of her old felt Stetson, gazed upwards and remembered Jean Pierre. They had met on a beautiful summer day on this same spot so many decades ago. Her young heart had yearned for wild romance and he had provided it liberally, but the fear of an uncertain future and her father’s harsh promise stopped her from letting him deflower her. A decision she later appreciated as she watched Margaret’s plod through a loveless marriage to the libertine. Turns out Jean Pierre had only loved the status they could provide: a typical fortune-hunter.
With those memories playing on her mind, she made the difficult decision. Since her granddaughter has chosen to let passion steal her good senses there was nothing she could do, but have the lawyers redraft her will, there was no way she was letting a lecher touch one cent of her family’s money. What was it about French men that made the women in their family abandon all caution?
Written by Chioma I.N
In response to the mondaysfinishthestory flash fiction challenge hosted by Barbara. The picture and the first sentence are provided and you have to complete the story in 100- 150 words. Click on this link to read others stories.
Thank you Marcy B. Ayanian for providing the picture.
Thank you for stopping by.
lifehomeandaway 
Great story! I’m a little confused. Seems she’s young and in love then Margaret and Jean Pierre are getting married and then she is a grandmother. I’m missing something. I have read it several times.
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Hehehehe! She was reflecting on how Jean Pierre had almost ruined her life decades ago and it was on that premise that she decided her granddaughters future.
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Was Margaret her granddaughter? I got lost around that part.
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Nope, JP’s other lover.
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Okay
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Jean Pierre was a ne’er-do-well, but she listened to her father and did very well. Her granddaughter must learn the hard way, as some of us do! Well done!
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Thanks Yolanda! True some lessons must come from experience.
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I hope her granddaughter doesn’t find herself trapped in a loveless marriage the way Margaret did. Good story, Chioma. 🙂
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Thanks Louise!
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Rumors of what great lovers the French men are supposed to be? Nicely done Chioma! Thank you for participating in the Mondays Finish the Story challenge. Be well… ^..^
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You are welcome Barbara thanks for reading and hosting. This one gave me some food for thought.
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Those French men, eh?! Hopefully her granddaughter will be able to turn things round before it’s too late.
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Hope so too.
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Beware the romantic French! As an English woman, I’m more accustomed to English males, most of whom seem to feel embarrassed about being overly sentimental. It takes some doing to chip away the stiff, outer shell!( Mind you, under that shell is a different story.)
As for the rat, Jean Pierre, I’m glad she didn’t marry him, and pity poor Margaret, who did. No wonder she’s about to change her will. Her granddaughter will need things carefully explaining, though.:) Very nicely written
Just one point I’d like to mention, Chioma: ‘families’ money’ is plural, i.e. more than one family. It should be ‘family’s money’, in this case – her one family. Just thought that might be helpful. 🙂
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It is very helpful Millie. Thank you :-). The shell analogy reminds me of onions. Hehehe.
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You know, Chioma, I’m beginning to
think you have a rather overactive imagination! 😀 (Just what a writer needs!). Have a great day.
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Hehehe!!
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Good thing she listened to her father. Her granddaughter needs to learn the hard way. Well done, CAH. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks Suzanne!
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