IAIN KELLY

OLD JANE

595, that’s what Jane had told me right enough. It didn’t figure, her being how I remembered her from school an’ all, and the house I was looking at now.

Back then she had lived in this real palatial house, her father was some hot-shot lawyer type.

How had she ended up in this dump? That’s what it looked like. A dirty rundown shack. A real dump.

A little cute kid came running out from behind the old house. Real cute looking, but dark-skinned. Not black, but kind of coffee-coloured. That confused me because old Jane was whiter-than-white pale-skinned.

I was beginning to think I had maybe the wrong town altogether when old Jane herself appeared. She was much older, but it was her sure enough. I would recognise those blue eyes anywhere, even if she had put on a bit of weight.

She recognised me too, and that crazy smile I remembered spread over her face.

She was holding a baby. It had dark skin too, just like the little kid, who was staring at me.

I kinda figured out how old Jane had ended up in a dump like this. Guess her father wasn’t one for moving with the times.


spf-july-1-2018-1-of-11
Copyright CE Ayr

Written as part of Sunday Photo Fiction. Write a story of around 200 words based on the photo prompt given (above). Hosted by Susan Spaulding. For more details visit HERE.

To read more of the stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

22 responses to “OLD JANE”

  1. willowdot21 Avatar

    Interesting story 💜

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Like

      1. willowdot21 Avatar

        Pleasure 💜

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Reena Saxena Avatar

    Connecting with the past is not always rosy.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks for reading Reena

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Susan Avatar

    Everything changes over time, except expectations maybe. Nice one Iain.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Susan

      Liked by 1 person

  4. ceayr Avatar

    Cool take on the power of bigotry, Iain, and its horrible consequences.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you CE

      Like

  5. James Avatar

    Interracial couples have always struggled for acceptance within their contexts.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      And still do in many places, fortunately where I am it seems to be accepted by most.

      Like

  6. prior.. Avatar

    gosh – this happens often and love the word palatial

    nice realistic piece –
    also felt a smile when I read about her smile spreading

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    Expecting and accepting the unexpected is easier said than done. for some. How profound is that?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Too profound for me! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  8. jlennidorner Avatar

    Odd but interesting. Makes me wonder how old Old Jane is.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, I like odd but interesting as a description of my writing 🙂

      Like

  9. anuragbakhshi Avatar

    It’s race over there, caste, religion, and region over here. Sigh.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Always something to divide us.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    You left me wanting to know more, a story to be told?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Like so many others waiting in the queue…!

      Like

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