WWBH Short Story - The Decision

This week Tena brings us the  "2 Picture" style prompt. Your story must include and, somehow, tie together the 2 photos given below.

• We ask that you try to keep your story to approximately 500 words, give or take.
• Please remember that the photos used are the property of the hostess for that week (unless otherwise stated). Please do not share these photos as your own (ie: Give Proper Credit when using as a part of your hop and please do not use anywhere else on your blog). And please refrain from adding other photos to your blog story.
• While not strictly mandatory, we do ask that you reference the blog hop (a link back to here or to the WWBH page for 2015 - http://tainiwrites.wordpress.com/writer-wednesday-blog-hop-2/2015-writer-wednesday-blog-hop/ - would be nice) so that others might join in.
• Link your story through the blue frog at bottom of the prompt by the following Tuesday (direct link to story, not your whole blog, please). If you are unable or need help, contact your hop hostess via the comments: Leanne, Heather, or Tena
• Most important of all - Have Fun! Take your writing seriously, but let those creative juices flow! Don’t fret/panic/pass out/hyperventilate/lose sleep/run in fear over the blog hop, instead let this be an exercise in letting the imagination run wild while staying within the discipline of flash-fiction—short and compelling!

So here are your 2 photos for this week:

 

HERE IS MY SHORT STORY 
 NOTE:  PHOTOS ARE COURTESY OF TENA CARR

THE DECISION

The dusty barren track loomed up ahead; sparse vegetation lined the pathway leading to the hills.  Why on earth did she agree to this hike?  It was bad enough that she’d fallen behind; everybody had carried on while she’d stopped for a call of nature as they call it in polite societies.  Her boyfriend, James, was up ahead somewhere, fairly typical of his behaviour of late, he just did what he wanted but always made her feel guilty if she didn't join in with his latest schemes and adventures.

Tasha was going to have to think long and hard about this relationship, as she did her mind jumped ahead to the evening.  She had promised she would cook tonight that would involve a quick trip to the supermarket when she finally got back to civilisation, just what she needed to do in her sweaty hiking gear.

Her mobile rang, speak of the devil, it was James calling.  So there was cell reception up here in this godforsaken landscape.  She answered trying to put a smile in her voice. 

‘Hey babe, we’re at the rest stop.  Are you coming?’

Before she answered she clamped back the feeling that he hadn't asked if she was alright or offered to come back and keep her company and encourage her the last few kilometres. 

‘It might take me a while; I’ve only just got on to the track.’

‘Well we’ll be leaving here in a few minutes and picking the transport up.  So you’ll have to catch the next bus back.  I’ll see you at home for supper.’  

The phone went dead before Tasha could form a retort.  Tears stung her eyes and she could taste the salt as the droplets passed her lips. 

Salt.  That was an ingredient she totally needed when she went shopping. Her recipe called for sea salt which would bake the fish with the flavour of the sea or so her recipe had said.  At least it would be an easy supper to assemble and then just pop in the oven and serve with fresh salad and bean sprouts.  James couldn't moan about that not being healthy.

What was she going to do about James?  He really wasn't her ideal man.  He was a spoilt brat, an only child, the apple of his parents’ eye, a whizz kid who always got his own way.  A kid?  He was the same age as she was mid 20’s, she was much more mature in outlook and wiser apart from her romantic life which was always letting her down.

Doggedly placing one foot in front of the other she eventually made it to the ranger’s station, so grateful to catch the bus back in to town.  A quick dash to get her supplies and then she was home.  She prepared the food and jumped in a hot shower.  Drying her wet hair she entered her living room to find James ensconced in her favourite chair already drinking a glass of wine. 

Word count: 501