IAIN KELLY

AUTUMNAL FALL

The leaves had turned gold and yellow and still Archie hadn’t finished painting the house.

‘You lazy good-for-nothing,’ Agnes yelled at him as he sat reading the morning paper. ‘I will finish the thing myself.’

Agnes strode out into the crisp morning air. The grass and leaves on the ground were damp from the morning dew. She grabbed the paint can and brush and started up the ladder. On the fourth rung she slipped on a wet leaf. Archie heard the cry followed by the thud.

The ambulance took Agnes away. The doctor at the hospital diagnosed a shattered hip and concussion. They would operate that week on the hip, but it would be at least a month before Agnes would get home.

Archie sat on his porch, breathed in the fresh Autumn air and smiled. He would finish painting the house soon.


photo-20160904121409530
© PHYLOR

Flash fiction story run by Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. Write a story based on the prompt photo (above). Many thanks to Priceless Joy for hosting the challenge. Learn more here: FFfAW

Read more stories based on this week’s prompt here: INLINKZ GROUP

56 responses to “AUTUMNAL FALL”

  1. Joy Joyancel Avatar

    Archie is not very nice huh… Loved the take on the prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Maybe Agnes is not very nice and Archie just needs a bit of peace and quiet for a change! Thanks for reading 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Joy Joyancel Avatar

        HAHAHAHA “Naggie Agie” maybe? you’re welcome…

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Michael Avatar

    And I am sure his finished paint job will make Agnes happy not he has time to get the job done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Exactly Michael! Thanks for reading.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. creatingahome Avatar

    I highly suspect that Archie.
    He could have just yelled stop pestering me or just finished the painting.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He does seem a bit suspicious, I wonder…. Thanks for reading.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Singledust Avatar

    what a wonderful start to fall….with a fall and a month of peace…..ohh this Archie…he is a smart one….nice writing

    Like

  5. draliman Avatar

    Ah, a bit of peace and quiet at last… 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  6. Scott Avatar
    Scott

    Bravo! This is a priceless story. Mentally finishing the story I see Archie in coat and gloves trying to finish before Agie returns home and resumes her bitching.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yeah, I reckon he’ll still leave it until the last minute! Thanks for reading and kind comment.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. ceayr Avatar

    Love this.
    That’s it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Many thanks.

      Like

  8. calensariel Avatar

    I wonder if that’s what his lordship is waiting for here… But in all fairness, he only has right over the front door left, which he can’t reach. Ought to be interesting! LOL

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I’m sure he’ll figure it out, give him time, he’ll get round to it! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    2. calensariel Avatar

      Or UP to it, as the case may be. LOL

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Priceless Joy Avatar

    Hahahaha! I feel like I shouldn’t be laughing but it seems she got what she deserved. LOL! Great story! I enjoyed reading it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Many thanks, I’m glad you saw the funny side to it!

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Graham Lawrence Avatar
    Graham Lawrence

    Hmm that Archie. Quite a rotter 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Hopefully he can redeem himself by finishing the house now!

      Like

      1. Graham Lawrence Avatar
        Graham Lawrence

        I somehow doubt that unfortunately … 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  11. shehannemoore Avatar

    Lol. Me thinks Aggie got what wis coming to her.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Totally did 🙂

      Like

  12. jademwong Avatar

    A story that leaves much to the imagination. Is Agnes the bad guy here or is Archie? Is anyone to blame for Agnes’ accident? Hmm…

    Loved the story Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Maybe both are bad to each other, or maybe it’s just life. Comments seem to be split 50/50 on who gets the sympathy. Thanks for reading.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. maria Avatar

    I echo Jade’s question. Which is which, really? 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I think maybe they’re both at fault. Is Archie to blame for the accident… I will let the reader decide 😉 Thanks for reading.

      Like

  14. Ellespeth Avatar

    Oh I almost hate to laugh but I will…lol! It never helps your cause to be nasty at the very beginning of a conversation, I’d say 😛
    Ellespeth

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Ellespeth, a guilty chuckle was exactly the reaction I was hoping to get 🙂

      Like

  15. Cezane Avatar

    I liked this read!

    Liked by 1 person

  16. rosemawrites Avatar

    uh oh. that’s a bad fall. hmm. maybe the house painting will be finished sooner! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He’ll get round to it eventually I’m sure!

      Like

  17. afairymind Avatar

    I hope he enjoys his month of peace – and doesn’t leave the painting of the house until the last minute! An enjoyable story, Iain. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  18. lingeringvisions by Dawn Avatar

    I think we both sort of saw the same thing. lol

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yours had a happier ending for her though! Thanks for reading.

      Like

  19. Su Avatar

    Whoa! Some twist in the tale, you got there… 🙂
    Shocked yet impressive on the take. Good one…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Many thanks for reading and lovely comment.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Su Avatar

        Always welcome Iain…

        Liked by 1 person

  20. Melinda Kucsera Avatar

    That is so my dad before his stroke–everything was I’ll get to later or soon’. Now he wants everything done now.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      As a dad I think we reserve the right to do things at our own pace! Thanks for reading 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Melinda Kucsera Avatar

        I guess but when the thing you’re putting off doing is essential to modern life, like fixing the shower or toilet, I think not. 😉 You’re welcome 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  21. milliethom Avatar

    I like the relationship you’ve created between these two characters, Iain, and the jovial way in which you’ve told the story. Archie certainly didn’t like to be rushed, but I think he’d better get the job done before Agnes gets home from hospital or there could be fireworks. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He’ll be in trouble if it’s still not done. Thanks for reading and kind comment 🙂

      Like

  22. Dahlia Avatar

    Haha – loved this 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Many thanks 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  23. theangrybookworm Avatar

    OMG. Archie is so evil – loving it! 😀 Are you sure he wasn’t practising some sort of dark magic? Nice twist on the passive brow-beaten hubby story, haha. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks for reading and enjoying, there is definitely suspicion hanging over Archie 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. theangrybookworm Avatar

        You’re telling me! 😉 Fun piece.

        Liked by 1 person

  24. jacquelineobyikocha Avatar

    Why do I feel like pulling his ears. He’s a meanie.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I’m sure Agnes has pulled his ears a few times 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. jacquelineobyikocha Avatar

        She must have 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  25. Grant-Sud Avatar
    Grant-Sud

    I couldn’t help it, but this story made me laugh! Finally gets a little peace. As always, nice writing and vivid details with what little length you can use.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it, it was meant to provide a guilty laugh 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  26. […] via AUTUMNAL FALL — Iain Kelly […]

    Liked by 1 person

  27. daretodream123 Avatar

    What a brilliant story! It made me giggle. I’m impressed with how well you portrayed the two characters from a short piece of writing. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks, glad I managed to amuse you 🙂

      Like

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