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.
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
Archie is not very nice huh… Loved the take on the prompt.
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Maybe Agnes is not very nice and Archie just needs a bit of peace and quiet for a change! Thanks for reading 🙂
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HAHAHAHA “Naggie Agie” maybe? you’re welcome…
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And I am sure his finished paint job will make Agnes happy not he has time to get the job done.
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Exactly Michael! Thanks for reading.
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I highly suspect that Archie.
He could have just yelled stop pestering me or just finished the painting.
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He does seem a bit suspicious, I wonder…. Thanks for reading.
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what a wonderful start to fall….with a fall and a month of peace…..ohh this Archie…he is a smart one….nice writing
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Ah, a bit of peace and quiet at last… 🙂
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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.
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Yeah, I reckon he’ll still leave it until the last minute! Thanks for reading and kind comment.
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Love this.
That’s it!
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Many thanks.
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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
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I’m sure he’ll figure it out, give him time, he’ll get round to it! 🙂
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Or UP to it, as the case may be. LOL
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Hahahaha! I feel like I shouldn’t be laughing but it seems she got what she deserved. LOL! Great story! I enjoyed reading it.
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Many thanks, I’m glad you saw the funny side to it!
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Hmm that Archie. Quite a rotter 🙂
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Hopefully he can redeem himself by finishing the house now!
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I somehow doubt that unfortunately … 🙂
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Lol. Me thinks Aggie got what wis coming to her.
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Totally did 🙂
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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!
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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.
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I echo Jade’s question. Which is which, really? 😀
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I think maybe they’re both at fault. Is Archie to blame for the accident… I will let the reader decide 😉 Thanks for reading.
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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
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Thanks Ellespeth, a guilty chuckle was exactly the reaction I was hoping to get 🙂
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I liked this read!
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uh oh. that’s a bad fall. hmm. maybe the house painting will be finished sooner! 😀
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He’ll get round to it eventually I’m sure!
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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. 🙂
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I think we both sort of saw the same thing. lol
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Yours had a happier ending for her though! Thanks for reading.
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Whoa! Some twist in the tale, you got there… 🙂
Shocked yet impressive on the take. Good one…
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Many thanks for reading and lovely comment.
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Always welcome Iain…
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That is so my dad before his stroke–everything was I’ll get to later or soon’. Now he wants everything done now.
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As a dad I think we reserve the right to do things at our own pace! Thanks for reading 🙂
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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 🙂
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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. 🙂
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He’ll be in trouble if it’s still not done. Thanks for reading and kind comment 🙂
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Haha – loved this 🙂
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Many thanks 🙂
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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. 🙂
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Thanks for reading and enjoying, there is definitely suspicion hanging over Archie 🙂
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You’re telling me! 😉 Fun piece.
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Why do I feel like pulling his ears. He’s a meanie.
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I’m sure Agnes has pulled his ears a few times 🙂
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She must have 🙂
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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.
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Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it, it was meant to provide a guilty laugh 🙂
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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!
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Thanks, glad I managed to amuse you 🙂
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