‘Such beautiful hair. No idea where you get it from.’ Her father smiled down at her, running his fingers through her light natural curls. She sat on his knee looking up at his proud smile and bald head.

What a mess she thought, staring in the mirror. Dressed in black, her hair a tangled mess of greying roots and split ends.

‘You should wear your hair natural. Don’t put all that gunk in it.’ She slammed the front door on his voice. She could do without her father’s fashion tips.

And thinning. For the first time she would have to contemplate getting it cut short.

‘Look at you. He’s one hell of a lucky guy. And you wore your hair down, just like I told you.’ The music began as the church doors opened. He put his guiding arm through hers.

She gave up trying to tie her hair up. She would wear it down one last time to say goodbye to him. She knew he would have wanted to see his daughter that way.


photo-20180108154705053
Copyright Fandango

Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story in around 150 – 175 words, based on the weekly photo prompt. Thanks as always to the challenge host Priceless Joy. For more information visit HERE.

To read other stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

34 responses to “ROOTS”

  1. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

    It is fascinating how we see such differing stories in a prompt. I enjoyed your take on ‘roots’ .

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Michael

      Like

      1. michael1148humphris Avatar
        michael1148humphris

        The recent difference in meanings that was applied to the word ‘roach’ has sparked two short stories in my mind. Mike

        Liked by 1 person

  2. James Avatar

    Poignant slices of life.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks James

      Like

  3. Michael Avatar

    Most interesting Iain, well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Michael

      Liked by 1 person

  4. scr4pl80 Avatar

    I had to read it twice but I finally got it. Nice one.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks for persisting with it Janet, hope it was worth it.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. joyroses13 Avatar
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much.

      Like

  6. Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist Avatar

    We all rebel against our critical parent until we bury them. Well told Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Irene

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Lynn Love Avatar

    Sad and true and telling of their relationship. Lovely Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much Lynn

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Lynn Love Avatar

        My pleasure 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  8. JS Brand Avatar

    Come on Iain, it’s not fair to make tears run down the cheeks of a grown man at this time in the morning. Thankfully I’m on my own. In my defence I’m still recovering from having watched Hacksaw Ridge a couple of days ago (recommended, but stock up on tissues).

    Beautifully told and a very imaginative take on the prompt.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Haha, glad it produced a response. I enjoyed Hacksaw Ridge too, powerful stuff.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. JS Brand Avatar

        Yes, a brilliant film. It’s a testament to your skill that Hacksaw Ridge had powerful images and stirring music to get my tear ducts flowing. You
        only had a few words and a picture of a tree. Well done.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Sarah Ann Avatar
    Sarah Ann

    I really like where you took your title and the passing of time in your story – the unruly mane to thinning and contemplating the short cut. Dad will be proud of her. The love between father and daughter comes across so strong.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much Sarah, so pleased that all came across to you.

      Like

  10. Liz H Avatar

    Can I just comment that i liked how you put the present in italics, and left the memory in regular–meaning the memory was what should be more present (as it was for her father)?
    Well done, well spun!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Liz, glad you appreciated 🙂

      Like

  11. Priceless Joy Avatar

    A lovely bittersweet story of a daughter that is aging and a father that has passed away. Great story, Iain!

    Like

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you PJ 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  12. magarisa Avatar

    You’ve portrayed the father-daughter relationship so well. The ending is particularly touching.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, glad it came across that way.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. rogershipp Avatar

    Love the word play with the hair, the surls, the bald head. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Roger – appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. anuragbakhshi Avatar

    What a lovely, poignant tale. Loved your unique take on the photo prompt!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much

      Liked by 1 person

  15. goroyboy Avatar

    Iain, what a grand depiction of a look inside a daughters mind. For that matter, how woman think(multitasking).
    Cheers to you!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much

      Liked by 1 person

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