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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much PJ, so glad you liked it 🙂
LikeLike
Loved how you painted the changing time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well that was sad. I lost my older sister so I know the feeling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s life, unfortunately, but the happy memories live on
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very beautifully written.💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Laura
LikeLike
A well done sentimental story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Joy, I like a little bit of sentimental now and then 🙂
LikeLike
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. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 lol hope she has a great time!
LikeLike
Thanks! So far she is. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I lost my Dad in April, Iain. Your stories always resonate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry for your loss CV, glad that my little story meant something.
LikeLike
Your stories are aways so moving, Iain. I’m so glad I read it this morning. Loved it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for such a nice comment 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
We go to the same spots and hope to recapture the same moments. But everything around us has changed – so cruelly. Haven’t we?
LikeLiked by 1 person
They certainly have, though the memories remain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous! One needs more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Antoinette, a very pleasing thing to hear 🙂
LikeLike
Remembrance and loss. The prompt also spoke to me of death, but of a different kind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Look forward to reading, thanks James
LikeLike
Made me think of old friends no longer around. Sniff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was the idea, fond memories and happier times.
LikeLike
Touching and very well narrated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This entire piece was so touching and vivid. I enjoyed the contrast of the fountain in the beginning and end.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much BriannaMarie, much appreciated 🙂
LikeLike
Another lovely, but sad, story Iain. Very moving.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Di
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, very kind.
LikeLike
That was so powerfully written Iain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The ending made me so sad. Losing a sibling is traumatic. Great take!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely but very sad 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Kate
LikeLiked by 1 person
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you
LikeLike
Powerful, Iain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tender and poignant, with a great change from the uplifting play of children to the sadness of the brothers’ parting. Really well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike