Nick stood on the bank of the river and tried to drown out the city around him and listen to the flow of the water. He closed his eyes and remembered.
**
The sound of Rosie and Finn laughing filled the air as they ran around him. Michelle nestled into his side as they lay amongst the long grass. He felt the heat from the sun beating down on his face. Around them the wildlife in the meadow enjoyed the lazy summer afternoon.
Nick had found the small unspoilt idyll by the bend in the river by chance when he got lost not long after arriving in the city. No one else seemed to know about it. Even on that warm summer day they had the meadow to themselves. If he listened closely he could hear the city traffic and noise, but it was distant enough not to encroach on them.
Rosie and Finn collapsed on the rug next to them. Nick spread his arms and gathered them all into him. He smiled.
**
Nick smiled now as he stood on that same spot. He opened his eyes and saw the construction site, the grey blocks of houses, the bricks and railings. He turned and trudged along the muddy track, using his walking stick to stop himself from slipping. He was sure Michelle would be happy with how he had coped without her. He was sure she would be proud of their Finn and Rosie.
Written as part of Sunday Photo Prompt. Write a story of around 200 words based on the photo prompt given (above). For more details visit HERE.
For more stories based on the photo prompt, visit the INLINKZ GROUP
Liked the shift in times that magnified his feelings.
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Many thanks for reading and kind comment.
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Ditto the above comment. You’ve used the time shift to bring so much home.
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Thanks Shehanne 🙂
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And so life and the world moves on around us and our minds struggle to keep up. Lovely foray into memory and loss and survival there Iain. A great tale nicely told
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Thanks Lynn – I think it’s nice to keep one of these flash fictions simple, about an ‘ordinary’ life for a change!
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Very true, though it’s understandable why we all write such dramatic (often dark) pieces. With so few words you want to make an impact and dark tales do that. This is nice though – the story of a life well lived 🙂
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Lovely story in the form of a memoir, Iain. Good writing showing how things had changed for Nick. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Many thanks Suzanne.
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Moving piece Iain. The memory and then the reality makes it doubly so. Great story
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Many thanks for the kind comment and the prompt.
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You’re welcome 🙂 Thanks for taking part.
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Ah, a lovely piece of family and memories and the inevitable progress. Great stuff.
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Well written story Ian. A sad one that his wife dies and their fav spot becomes apartments. I think there are pieces of nature we need to preserve. However, I’m happy he believes his wife would be proud of him and their kids. Poor guy!
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Many thanks for reading and kind comment. Just a little tale about everyday life, time moves on for is all.
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There is such an aura of positivity about this story – the way he remembered and coped without being morbidly unhappy or morose about his loss. Well penned.
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Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed.
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Nicely done! I enjoyed reading that. I’m particularly impressed with the ending, both sad and happy (as life is), and it tied everything together beautifully.
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Many thanks Sonny
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Reminds me of how much things have changed where I am in the last quarter of a century. Too much change.
Thanks for your visit to my post on the prompt 🙂
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Thanks Jules, and you’re welcome.
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🙂
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I like the way you completed the story and the way he remembers her with love and fondeness rather than sadness.
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Many thanks 🙂
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