Friday Fictioneers is a weekly writing challenge using a photo prompt.
THE CHALLENGE:
Write a one hundred word story that has a beginning, middle and end. (No one will be ostracized for going a few words over the count.)
THE KEY:
Make every word count.
As always, thanks goes out to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields, at Addicted to Purple for encouraging us, and a special thank you to John Nixon for the use of his photograph.
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The Game
When Moira’s memory began to fade she became shy about going into public, so Henry devised a game to get her out of the house. He began taking her little treasures to the second-hand store. Bringing in one of her curiosities Sally the shopkeeper would hold it aside.
Moira seemed to enjoy her weekly visits and sure enough, she would spy her item, and her face would light up. “Oh, Look Henry, I used to have one of these! Do you remember it?”
Today, Sally noticed him alone and hesitating at the door. Crying she whispered, “I’m sorry Henry.”
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WORDS: exactly 100
For more great stories on this prompt look HERE
Life on the Farmlet 
What love he had for her to do that! (In your first “Moira”, an “I” rather than “i” got int here, giving her name a rather exotic feel.) 🙂
janet
Oops! Forgot to check the caps lock! 😉
Thanks, Janet!
Oh I love what you did with this prompt. It makes me feel good on every level. A darn good story.
Thank you so much, Linda. It was one of the harder ones to “pen” in only 100 words, because I wanted to say so much more!
Maybe you should expand it. You’ve got a great start.
😀
I have been spending my weeks helping the FIL care for the MIL (hence blog time far and few between) who’s memory lapses have gone from annoying to heartbreaking and now approaching dangerous.
Your Friday Fictioneers touched me to the core.
Oh, Joan, I am so sorry.
I feel, at least for myself, that this is one of the most heartbreaking illnesses we can face, and especially so for the family. It is also one of the most frightening to me.
I am sending a prayer for you and your family.
a poignant story of life and dedicated love and loss
very beautiful
Thank you, Moondustwriter!
Oh that was lovely 🙂
Helen, I’m glad that, in spite of the sadness, that you found the beauty in this story. Thank you!
So sad, Lynda!
Sorry, Patti, Alzheimers is sad. I am finding in the comments regarding this post that many of us have been touched by this disease. So tragic.
Lynda, this one melted my heart… what a lovely story. It left me wanting to know more of their life together!
There is more, Lori, I just had to contain it to 100 words. It has been suggested that I write the expanded edition, and I think I will! 😀
Dear Lynda,
A touching story on many levels. While we see Moira’s deterioration, we see Henry’s devotion. This is up close and personal from my family. Well done.
shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you, Rochelle.
You are not alone in this. I think several others have, or will have, similar close experience with this topic. It is a tragic experience for anyone.
Lovely story! Another blogger I follow also took the challenge on this picture and came up with a story that couldn’t possibly be further from yours in the theme and attitude, yet both stories were great! It’s cool how a picture can tell so many different tales to so many different people!
Bill, thank you! Each of us bring personal experience to the viewing of these prompts. That is the magic! Will you share the link to your alternate story you mentioned? I would like to know it when I read it. Thanks!
It does frustrate me when I can’t come up with anything for some of the photographs. Yet, if the experience isn’t there, well then, the story will be flat and contrived don’t you agree?
Here it is:
http://dralimanonlife.com/2013/09/18/one-last-job/
Yes, I absolutely agree! Inspiration that doesn’t come immediately or is forced is always inferior to that which springs forth naturally…
Thank you! 😀
This was a vastly different take on the prompt, and thank you for the recommendation. I loved it! 😀
Thanks, ES!
Delightful and painful.
Oh, Julie…
There is always the love in such a story, and it is the very element that causes both feelings.
A very touching story, well done.
Thank you, Sandra!
A sad tale.
Poignant perhaps? But yes, Alzheimers is always sad.
So sweet and so sad. A lovely story.
Thank you, Draliman!
It is a horrible disease. I know of several couples who were devoted to their ill partners to the end. It was difficult and painful but they persevered.
Great story, loved the way he took care of her as her memory failed. Sad but very effective ending. Well done!
Thank you, Jan! It was a lot of emotion to squeeze down into only 100 words.
So very moving … even more so because i’t sonly 100 words.
For that very reason it was also hard to pen. Thanks, LB!
It’s a poignant story the way you’ve written it, but I was so surprised – I expected a completely different ending! What a difference a sentence or two makes!
Because I expected a different ending, I already was laughing by the time I got to the end. It made me think of the number of times my mom and I would get into it in her latter years. Eventually, I learned to just wait a little while – and sure enough, she’d forget whatever it was that had her riled up!
Linda, I am curious as to where you thought the story was going. Do tell! 😉
Dealing with parents can be stressful. As mom got older I became the parent figure in our relationship. I’m glad you were able to find a way of coping. In your writing your mother seemed to be a lovely person.
She was a lovely person – she just wanted me to be lovely in the same way. 😉
I thought the story was going to end with the man being the forgetful one, arriving at the store without his wife – and the clerk asking him where she was!
There is more truth in that ending than you may know! I’ve read that when the spouse begins worrying about their partner having Alzheimers that it is they that are being affected. We had a neighbor that came to our doorstep once telling us fantastical tales about her husband. I won’t share all the details, but one of the things she said was that her husband was getting Alzheimers. A few months later the family came to move them and clear out their house because she had the Alzheimers and he couldn’t adequately care for her anymore. It was sad. 😦
You gave me tears… What a sweet story..
I think we all know of someone, be it family or a friend, that has had to cope with this disease. It does bring tears Björn. I’m glad you found it so touching.
Dear Lynda,
An imaginative take on the prompt. Henry sounds like a great man. Always looking out for his woman.
Aloha,
Doug
Thank you, Doug!
(Henry is modeled after my husband.) 😉
Awww…that gave me goosebumps.
I’m glad that it moved you, Dawn. Thank you!
Truly a great story! You must have great imagination, have a Henry in your life, or you are yourself sweet like Henry. This has touched my heart.
Eena, thank you! BTW, I had a delightful time visiting you this morning. I love your dog, and think your wedding will be wonderful!