jealousy

Flash Fiction Prompt: When Jealousy Turns Dangerous: A Story That Begins in a Quiet Restroom

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What happens when an overheard conversation awakens the part of us we hope never rises?

Prompt

Jenny froze—not from fear, but from the sudden, electric clarity that comes when your world tilts in a single sentence.

Jenny sat on the closed toilet lid, elbows on her knees, trying to steal a few minutes of quiet before returning to the crowded event outside. She barely noticed the two women who entered—heels clicking, water running, small talk swirling. But then one of them lowered her voice, and Jenny caught her own name shimmering in the air like a spark.

“She’ll never see it coming,” the woman bragged. “By next weekend, Jenny’s boyfriend will be mine.”

Laughter followed—sharp, careless, slicing clean through Jenny’s ribs. Heat rose under her skin, not the heat of embarrassment, but the heat of something ancient and coiled. Betrayal had its own smell, its own weight, and in that moment, she felt both pressing inward.

Jenny steadied her breath. Rage wasn’t new to her—she had spent years locking it behind polite smiles and easy forgiveness. But this… this felt different. This felt earned.

She lifted her head, her pulse beating like fists on a door. When she finally stood and reached for the stall latch, Jenny wasn’t the same woman who walked in. And the woman at the sink had no idea what was coming next.

💬 Reader Question

If you were Jenny, would you confront her, walk away, or set a trap of your own?

Flash Fiction Prompt: When Envy Turns Deadly: A Triangle of Love, Lies, and Betrayal

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Two women, one man, and a perfect marriage envied by all. But envy has sharp teeth—and this time, someone plans to bite.

Flash Fiction Prompt

Grab-Hold First Line:

“She always got the best of everything—until now.”

Melissa’s smile stretched wide as she watched her best friend laugh at her husband’s joke, the two of them glowing like a perfect advertisement for happily-ever-after. It was maddening. Rachel had always been the lucky one—the better house, the better career, the better man. Melissa had clapped, cheered, and nodded like a faithful friend, but behind her applause simmered years of envy. She had longed for a love that steady, a life that secure. Instead, she had scraps—men who vanished, promises that broke. But not this time. She studied her friend’s husband, the way his eyes softened when he spoke to Rachel, the way his hand rested gently on hers. She wanted that warmth, that certainty. She deserved it. And she had already decided: she would take it. After all, Rachel had had enough good fortune. Now it was Melissa’s turn.

Three Questions for Writers

  1. What inner conflict does Melissa face as she plots betrayal against her closest friend?
  2. How does the husband react—willing accomplice, innocent target, or something in between?
  3. What price will envy demand once the triangle collapses?

Today’s Thought: Don’t Waste a Moment Being Jealous

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Jealous people poison their own banquet and then eat it ~ Washington Irving

The antidote to jealousy is confidence in one’s ability and contentment with one’s self. A mentor gave me this advice: “Ray, when someone you know has success or gets notoriety you don’t have, congratulate them. Make it a heart felt congratulations.’ My mentor was right. I’ve followed his advice and sent more congratulatory emails, cards, and texts than I can count. It made the other person feel good and the feeling bounced back on me.

Thinking Out Loud ~ We’re Better Together. A Lesson from Aesop’s Fables

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Today’s Thinking Out Loud reflection is on Aesop’s Fable, The Lion and The Three Bulls. Aesop’s Fables is available for free download here.

The Fable

“Three Bulls were grazing in a meadow, and were watched by a

Lion, who longed to capture and devour them, but who felt that he

was no match for the three so long as they kept together. So he

began by false whispers and malicious hints to foment jealousies

and distrust among them. This stratagem succeeded so well that ere

long the Bulls grew cold and unfriendly, and finally avoided each

other and fed each one by himself apart. No sooner did the Lion see

this than he fell upon them one by one and killed them in turn.”

Note: Disputes happen. If we’re not careful we can let an angry word drive us apart. I’ve witnessed good friends stop speaking because of some foolish event. I’ve seen families split apart because there was no forgiveness. I’ve seen people protect their grudges with more strength than they would protect a loved one. It doesn’t make sense of many levels. To my way of thinking peace is better than war. Love is better than hate. Forgiveness is better than holding tightly to a grudge. We’re better together and the more we are together and expand our circles, the better we’ll be.

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