LIFELONG FRIENDS

~ Iain Kelly

Bill took Agnes’ arm and steered her to the pavement. ‘One too many prosecco?’

‘Come on, follow the white lines home,’ Archie called back to them.

‘Remember that time you followed the wrong white line…’

‘…all the way off the end of the boardwalk.’ Bill and Archie finished off Agnes’ story.

Archie took Agnes’ arm. ‘Another holiday over.’

‘Same time next year, Bill?’

‘Of course, wouldn’t miss it.’ Bill waved them off.

He felt the pain in his midriff.

He didn’t want to ruin a perfect evening. He would tell them later that he wouldn’t make their annual get together next year.

ted-strutzs-town
Copyright Ted Strutz

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.

Published by Iain Kelly

39 year old writer, avid film viewer and book reader, employed in the media industry as a television editor.

102 thoughts on “LIFELONG FRIENDS”

  16. Great take, Iain. My parents are in their 70s now and there have been those people they’ve known for years and those reunions and they’re starting to drop off. In a few weeks time, they’re celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. There’s such a hotch potch of people coming and quite a few who have passed away. We’ve also been revisiting old photos lately. It’s a great time for reminiscing and catching up.
    Best wishes,
    Rowena

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thanks Rowena. It’s sad looking ahead and knowing this time is coming to us all, but as you say, a chance to look back and think about a lifetime of memories.

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  19. You paint the picture expertly; the three friends who have so many shared memories that they first prompt and then complete each others anecdotes. And having shown us this beautiful friendship, very delicately you show us that it will be broken within twelve months.
    Grief and sadness are the inevitable companions of joy, alas. Let’s be thankful for the joy while we have it, and even more thankful for the memories later.

    Liked by 3 people

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  22. Oh, no. How sad, and how kind of him not to burden his friends at that moment.. I hope, though, that he will contact them soon and let them be with him as much as possible.

    Liked by 2 people

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  38. A nice build up that makes the ending so much better, although sad. I don’t go to many reunions, they mostly seem to be about ticking the attendance sheet to check who has died.

    Liked by 2 people

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  47. 😦 Lovely and warm story of a lifelong friendship, Iain. Then, I got to the last line, which made the story even more beautiful, but oh, so sad. Even so, it made me want to read it again, to treasure even more, such a friendship.

    Liked by 1 person

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