IAIN KELLY

ELLIE

Ellie struggled along the icy path to the children’s hospital, two full bags in either hand.

‘Morning, Ellie. What are you donating today? More hats?’

Ellie nodded. Bill took the bags from her. ‘Thank you, Ellie. You have a nice Christmas.’

Ellie left silently. Bill handed the bags to Beth. ‘Put these with the rest.’

Beth emptied the knitted hats onto the table, joining the stacks of hundreds more.

‘Why does she do it?’ Beth asked Bill.

‘She lost her own child in the ice storm of ’82. Ever since, she knits hats.’

Beth watched the lonely figure shuffling away, hunched against the cold.

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Copyright Bjorn Rudberg

Happy Holidays to all the Friday Fictioneers and those that visit my blog. As always I am eternally grateful for everyone who takes the time to read my offerings. I hope you all have a wonderful break and a Happy New Year.

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

103 responses to “ELLIE”

  1. ELLIE – The Militant Negro™

    […] Source: ELLIE […]

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    A chewy character here. Nice one, Iain

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Neil

      Like

      Reply
  3. Annie Avatar
    Annie

    This makes me sad and warms my heart all at once. Absolutely love the way you tell the story. Happy holidays to you and yours, Iain.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Annie, for all the comments and for continuing to read my stories over the past year. Happy Holidays to you as well, I hope you enjoy it 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. Jane Dougherty Avatar
    Jane Dougherty

    Poignant and so believable.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Jane.

      Like

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      1. Jane Dougherty Avatar
        Jane Dougherty

        🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  5. shehannemoore Avatar
    shehannemoore

    Happy Christmas to you Iain. XXX for all the wonderful fiction all year round.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Shehanne – thank you for always reading and your supportive comments. Merry Christmas, hope you have a great time 🙂 x

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. shehannemoore Avatar
        shehannemoore

        You too Iain. I am looking forward to more entertainment next year x

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    A form of therapy, but I’m not sure it’s altogether working. Still, someone benefits. Merry Christmas, Iain.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Sandra, a nice way to look at it, even if she is struggling to cope she is helping others.

      Like

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  7. Varad Avatar
    Varad

    Beautiful and sad at the same time. No parent should outlive their child. Nice tale, Iain.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Varad.

      Like

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  8. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Iain,

    I echo Varad. No parent should outlive their child. And the holidays do seem to magnify loss. Poignant and well written story, sir. Made my screen blur.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you for such kind words Rochelle.

      Like

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  9. Balaka Avatar
    Balaka

    Happy holidays to you too. This was a nice story..made me pensive. Have a great holiday.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, much appreciated 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. granonine Avatar
    granonine

    Oh, poor Ellie. Such grief. So well-written.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you so much.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. magarisa Avatar
    magarisa

    So poignant. Hopefully, the hats will be put to good use.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you. From my experience of children’s hospitals, they certainly will be 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. James Avatar
    James

    That must be so horrible. At least she found a way to compensate somewhat.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks James. It appears she is over-compensating, but then I can’t imagine how anyone would cope in that situation.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. Keith's Ramblings Avatar
    Keith’s Ramblings

    Once again you’ve knitted a delightful yarn. Hats off to you sir. Enjoy the festive season, I look forward to reading more from you in the very near future.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Keith – I always enjoy your comments 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  14. Moon Avatar
    Moon

    So very tragic . superbly written, as always.
    I loved the last line. I could feel Ellie’s lonely, cold heart.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Moon, glad you liked it 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  15. scr4pl80 Avatar
    scr4pl80

    Great tale, Iain. Hope you have a marvelous holiday! Thanks for sharing your little stories with us.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Janet, and a Happy Holidays to you too. Thank you so much for reading and all your supportive comments 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  16. bbryanthomas Avatar
    bbryanthomas

    They should pass on some of the hats

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Bryan. That’s the idea, it’s more that she keeps knitting more hats than they will ever need.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  17. J Hardy Carroll Avatar
    J Hardy Carroll

    A sad portrait!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Afraid so – not quite in the festive mood.

      Like

      Reply
  18. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    I can so understand her. Lovely story, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Dale, that means a lot from you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dale Avatar
        Dale

        😘

        Liked by 1 person

  19. Jelli Avatar
    Jelli

    What a beautifully touching story. No child should have to be so cold, and every child should have a beautiful hat knit with pure love, too. 🙂 ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, glad you liked it – could almost be a prequel to your own story this week 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Jelli Avatar
        Jelli

        That’s what I thought when I read yours! Wow, love when that happens, don’t you? Merry Christmas, lain.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar
        Iain Kelly

        Merry Christmas to you also 🙂

        Like

  20. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar
    Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    I hope that there will be someone buying them before the next ice-storm…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Would be nice for them to be put to good use. Thanks Bjorn.

      Like

      Reply
  21. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar
    Alicia Jamtaas

    I’m in a knitting group (I don’t knit, I embroider, but it’s the camaraderie that counts.) More than half the ladies knit hats for cancer patients or baby clothes for children that die at birth ~ so the parents have something beautiful to put their child in or layettes for children of military men and women. It warms the cockles of my heart. You brought that feeling to the surface with your story. Thank you and Merry Christmas.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Alicia – it was based on my twins who spent time in hospital when born premature and wore clothes that were knitted and donated to the hospital as shop clothes didn’t come in sizes small enough. Those little sort of things become massive gestures when in that situation. Glad it gave you that same feeling 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

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      1. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar
        Alicia Jamtaas

        Oh, it truly did. Thanks for giving me a little insight into your story.

        Liked by 1 person

  22. Edith M. Field Avatar
    Edith M. Field

    This was so well written. I have a very powerful image of Ellie – I can see her walking away surrounded by her grief. Great story, Iain.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Edith, much appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  23. Alice Audrey Avatar
    Alice Audrey

    I hope they aren’t throwing them away. Surely there is someone who would appreciate them.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  24. anuragbakhshi Avatar
    anuragbakhshi

    So poignant and yet so warm. Lovely read.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  25. plaridel Avatar
    plaridel

    it must be tough to get over the lost of a child. at least, she’s doing something positive about it. nice story. happy holidays to you and family.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, and Happy Holidays 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  26. Fatima Fakier Avatar
    Fatima Fakier

    Oh wow, hats have inspired a sense of loss for me too in my story. She cuts a lonely figure hunching against the cold while she knits hats to keep others warm 😦

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Fatima

      Like

      Reply
  27. J.A. Prentice Avatar
    J.A. Prentice

    A very sad story. You captured a character clearly with just one moment.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  28. J. E. Kennedy Avatar
    J. E. Kennedy

    Beautifully sad story Iain, very well told.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you so much

      Like

      Reply
  29. Jan Brown Avatar
    Jan Brown

    A very sad but well told tale. Her coping mechanism doesn’t seem to be working too well, but how many of us would fare better under the circumstances?

    Wishing you all the best as you celebrate Christmas!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Jan. It is difficult to see how anyone would cope in such circumstances. Merry Christmas to you and yours 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  30. draliman Avatar
    draliman

    Quite sad, but sweet that she’s trying to keep other people’s kids warm after what happened to hers.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  31. Liz Young Avatar
    Liz Young

    Poor Ellie – she should donate her lovely hats to a refugee charity which will actually use them.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Perhaps that is where they get sent in the end. Thanks Liz.

      Like

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  32. pennygadd51 Avatar
    pennygadd51

    A very believable tale, Iain. Your dialogue is lovely, really well judged, telling the story without ever stepping out of character. A sad story, but one with an undercurrent of hope.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you so much Penny, very kind.

      Like

      Reply
  33. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar
    Brenda’s Thoughts

    This is a beautiful story of a woman who gives in spite of her grief. Acts of kindness do bring healing! Happy holidays to you as well. =)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Brenda 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  34. Lynn Love Avatar
    Lynn Love

    Sad but beautifully told, Iain. What a lovely thing to keep giving after your own loss. Lovely.
    All the best for Christmas and 2018

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Lynn, and to you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  35. Vivian Zems Avatar
    Vivian Zems

    A poignant read. Good one. Ellie cuts a lonely figure.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Vivian

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Vivian Zems Avatar
        Vivian Zems

        😊

        Liked by 1 person

  36. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    a touching tale for Christmas. I hope someone becomes the beneficiary of Ellie’s labors.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Susan

      Like

      Reply
  37. Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist Avatar
    Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

    Christmas is a hard time for many particularly those who have lost children and other loved ones. Your story was beautiful although I’m sure they could find a use for the hats somehow. Hope you have a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Irene, and a Merry Christmas to you and yours too 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  38. Dawn M. Miller Avatar
    Dawn M. Miller

    Sweet story Lain, Happy Holidays to you as well.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Dawn.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  39. rgayer55 Avatar
    rgayer55

    A touching story, Iain. Have a blessed holiday.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Russell, and to you too.

      Like

      Reply
  40. Sarah Ann Avatar
    Sarah Ann

    Sad and tender. An example of not being able to move on from a loss so overwhelming.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Sarah Ann

      Like

      Reply
  41. kindredspirit23 Avatar
    kindredspirit23

    Sad and Melancholy. Not quite to depressing.
    Well written.
    Mine: https://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2017/12/22/tend-to-your-knittin/
    Scott

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Scott

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. kindredspirit23 Avatar
        kindredspirit23

        U R Wlcm

        Liked by 1 person

  42. mjlstories Avatar
    mjlstories

    Enjoyed your sad tale (poor Ellie) and also the real story behind the story. Hope your twins are thriving. Merry Christmas!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      They certainly are, thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  43. Susan A Eames Avatar
    Susan A Eames

    That was a beautiful story! Sad but so well written. Well done.

    I’m going to resume writing stories with FF in the New Year.
    Happy Christmas!

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Look forward to reading more from you then Susan. Merry Christmas to you 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  44. subroto Avatar
    subroto

    Sad story but maybe it’s time to move on. But I’ll tip my cap to her for her hard work.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you.

      Like

      Reply
  45. michaelwynnauthor Avatar
    michaelwynnauthor

    Poignant piece Iain. Merry Christmas, see you on the other side

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Michael, and to you too.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  46. patriciaruthsusan Avatar
    patriciaruthsusan

    A heartrending story, Iain. It would be a mother’s worst fear. Good writing. Happy Holidays. —- Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Suzanne.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  47. Jan Vanek Avatar
    Jan Vanek

    Beautiful, sad and poignant story. I loved Ellie, though something in the words, “Put these with the rest” made me want to punch Bill. Happy New Year, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Jan – I think Bill means well, he’s just a realist.

      Like

      Reply
  48. thinkthoughtstaught Avatar
    thinkthoughtstaught

    Hi Iain Kelly,
    A very heartwrenching story indeed. Beautiful and captivating. Thanks so much for sharing this. Hope to see more great works from you in the future!
    Cheers,
    💕🤗
    TTT https://thinkthoughtstaught.wordpress.com

    Like

    Reply
  49. Woman walking Max Avatar
    Woman walking Max

    Such a gentle and poignant story, told with delicacy.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you so much

      Like

      Reply

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