Every Sunday through that summer at eleven they had sat on the same bench, Patrice and his younger brother Henri, waiting while their parents attended church.
At five past eleven the fountain would spring into life as the gardener, Hervé, turned it on.
Father gave them a toy boat to sail around the pond. On the warmest days they would remove their shoes and paddle in after it.
They recognised a few regulars: Madame Durand, walking her ugly pug dog; Gustav with his rubbish cart, collecting the litter; Camille, making her way home after another Saturday night of work.
Patrice remembered them all clearly. He longed for those days of innocence.
The pond was still there, the water brown and filled with algae. The fountain no longer sprung into life. The bench, rotting and broken, was empty.
An old woman shuffled past. Could it be Camille, after all this time?
In the distance the church bells tolled, the funeral was about to begin. Patrice patted the spot where Henri had always sat next to him.
Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story or poem 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.
Awwww, Iain, this makes me sad. Such a heart touching story! I love it!
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Thank you so much PJ, so glad you liked it 🙂
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Loved how you painted the changing time!
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Well that was sad. I lost my older sister so I know the feeling.
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It’s life, unfortunately, but the happy memories live on
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Very beautifully written.💕
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Thank you so much Laura
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A well done sentimental story!
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Thank you Joy, I like a little bit of sentimental now and then 🙂
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You are welcome and yes, you just never know with your stories, whether they are going to be sentimental or have everyone plunging into the Pacific Ocean. 🙂
My daughter did arrive safely by the way, now just needs a safe flight back. 🙂
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🙂 lol hope she has a great time!
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Thanks! So far she is. 🙂
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I lost my Dad in April, Iain. Your stories always resonate.
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Sorry for your loss CV, glad that my little story meant something.
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Your stories are aways so moving, Iain. I’m so glad I read it this morning. Loved it. 🙂
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Thank you so much for such a nice comment 🙂
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We go to the same spots and hope to recapture the same moments. But everything around us has changed – so cruelly. Haven’t we?
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They certainly have, though the memories remain.
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Gorgeous! One needs more.
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Thank you Antoinette, a very pleasing thing to hear 🙂
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Remembrance and loss. The prompt also spoke to me of death, but of a different kind.
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Look forward to reading, thanks James
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Made me think of old friends no longer around. Sniff.
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That was the idea, fond memories and happier times.
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Touching and very well narrated.
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Thank you 🙂
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This entire piece was so touching and vivid. I enjoyed the contrast of the fountain in the beginning and end.
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Thank you so much BriannaMarie, much appreciated 🙂
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Another lovely, but sad, story Iain. Very moving.
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Thank you Di
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Beautiful story. I liked the way you introduced the different characters going about their daily lives and then the sad end–no more Henri. Very touching and moving piece. It was just bustling with life. I really, really enjoyed it reading it. Well done, Iain!
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Thank you so much, very kind.
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That was so powerfully written Iain.
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Thank you so much.
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The ending made me so sad. Losing a sibling is traumatic. Great take!
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Thank you
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Lovely but very sad 🙂
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Thank you Kate
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You’ve nicely woven past and present in this sad piece.
I see what you mean…we took a similar path with this prompt.
Ellespeth
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Thank you
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Powerful, Iain.
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Thank you
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You’re welcome.
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Tender and poignant, with a great change from the uplifting play of children to the sadness of the brothers’ parting. Really well done.
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Thank you 🙂
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Oh! Sad one.
Very moving.
Absence of siblings is very sad.
Have a great week.
– Anita
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Thanks Anita
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