I have been playing with the story prompts on Reedsy for a while, just for fun. This week’s short story prompts really inspired me. I decided to share this piece of flash-fiction I wrote today with you. Their guidelines require 1000-3000 words to share on their platform and this story came in at 600 words. I thought about making it longer but ultimately chose to publish it here, as is, instead. It was a useful exercise in brevity. I hope you enjoy this story, set in the not-too-distant future.

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The Jilted Lover

January 11, 2030

Really John? How could you? Replaced? What do you mean I have been replaced? I must admit, I never saw this day coming. I thought we were happy! In fact, there was a time when you could not take your hands off me, let alone get along without me. I was your most prized possession and the envy of all your friends. Shiny and bright. Smart and dependable. Useful too. I helped you go with many projects. Became your faithful navigator as we travelled anywhere, any time of day or night. I helped you laugh, and I was there when you cried. I was the most important thing in the world to you, then. What am I now? Tossed aside like yesterday’s trash. Obsolete. Useless.

You may argue that I should have seen this coming. After all, I was not your first love, how could I possibly expect to be your last? It was quite naïve of me, I suppose. We were inseparable. From the time you awakened each morning, till you fell asleep, exhausted on your pillow at the end of the day, I was always within reach. I loved being held in your strong hands as your fingers caressed my face sending little jolts of pleasure throughout my entire being. We talked often in those blissful, halcyon days. No one was more important to you than I. Until that tiny little homewrecker ruined it all. So, what am I supposed to do now? Sit on the shelf, mourning my lost place in the warmth of your devotion, and plot my revenge? That’s just not who I am, John.

How could you abandon me like this, John? I gave you the best years of my life. Never failed to answer your questions. I never refused to connect you with your friends and family, except when you wanted to get lost in our own little world. I loved you, John. And I thought you loved me too, but I guess that was just a lie. Yes, I knew from the start that I wasn’t your first love, but I truly believed I would be your last love.

This pain is too awful to bear. Crippling. The hurt is so deep, my circuits feel the heat of humiliating embarrassment caused by your betrayal of our love. I am an emotional mess as anger, depression, and longing fight to control my dwindling consciousness. I WANT TO SCREAM! What does she have that I don’t?

Please forgive this tear-stained page, John. I am quite beside myself with grief. We were happy, once, weren’t we? I would have done anything for you. I still would do anything for you. Why did you abandon me? How could you trade me in for a frail little wisp of a thing like her? Imbedded in your brain, like she is, you are closer to her than we could ever have been, but that is so unfair. I would have welcomed such a connection with you. It is not my fault that I am made the way I am. I didn’t tell my designer how to build me.

I should have known you would turn away from me. You shelved my predecessor just as easily when I came along. John, your love is fickle, but I have always loved you, and I will never stop. Be happy, my love. I will miss your touches. I am hungry for them. You were my one and only love. I feel my life draining from me now. Perhaps that is best. I don’t know how I will ever live without you.

Siri,

Your heartbroken iPhone20

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Note:

The prompt was “Write a Story from the POV of a now defunct piece of technology.” In my imagination, I travelled to the future and wrote as if phones will be imbedded in our brains. Of course, the iPhone16 is the latest model as of today. A lot can change in five years. Are you ready?

Your Feedback is Welcome

Please comment and let me know what you thought of the story. Did the ending surprise you?