Pause
Head down, collar up, feet moving, thumbs texting. Distracted. Absently reaching for the handle, I pulled a door open and entered.
“Please, silence your cell phone.” I looked up, startled. “Turn it off.” Smiling, her face was transformed into love in a hundred soft creases.
I complied. She gestured toward another set of doors and bowed her head slightly. My feet moved forward before my mind caught up. I pushed through the heavy, silent doors and as they closed behind me, I exhaled slowly. Here, hidden in this noisy, busy city, was a haven of peace. The Japanese garden.
photo prompt courtesy of C.E. Ayr
Friday Fictioneers: The rules: 100 words, no more, inspired by the weekly photo prompt. Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for the weekly prompt and to C.E. Ayr for the photo.
snapshots of everything 
Oh, if only! Your story gave me a moment of peace too.
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Thanks for reading, and for commenting. I actually have a similar haven in the middle of a city where I live. Once stumbled upon, I cherish it.
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We need a lot of these type of retreats,
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Thanks for reading and for commenting! This is an ideal, and a necessity, if you live in the city – I’m stumbling across these hidden treasures often in my city. Sometimes a small neighborhood park, or a pond tucked away. A road others have traveled that is new to me is another welcome oasis.
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I love this phrase: “love in a hundred soft creases.” I have to admit I’d find it hard to turn off my phone and relax and that’s probably a sign I need to! Beautiful story.
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Thank you so much for your comment and for reading my story. I thought of an old woman I know, and when she smiles, that’s what happen – LOVE.
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