Wind blew through the trees, blowing the snow up from the ground, gusting around Guy’s face. He pulled his collar up further.
Across the park he watched Madeline, her bright green umbrella luminous against the white background. Their daughter, Francis, gleefully skipped around her.
‘She’s moved on, married someone else, she’s happy. Leave them be.’
But he couldn’t. He hadn’t survived that hell to come back and find he had lost everything after all.
He inhaled a deep breath of cold air and stepped forward.
Snow swirled round the limping figure as he crossed the space between them.
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.
The photo could only remind me of the wonderful film ‘Umbrellas of Cherbourg,‘ so I couldn’t resist a rewriting of that film’s ending.
Iain Kelly 
113 responses to “THE UMBRELLAS OF NEW YORK”
A poignant tale, Iain. We can only guess at what he intends, but the outcome can’t be good
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A pessimist, Neil?
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Suspense in the air!
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Thanks Reena, what shall happen next?
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Drama, for sure 🙂
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is he gonna take revenge?
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Everyone has such sinister thoughts! Perhaps he wishes to reconcile, express his love! 🙂
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hope he unites 🙂
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Oh Iain you’ve spun a perplexing beginning with so many potential story lines, well done my man!
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Thank you Joe, much appreciated.
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This is one of the things about the 100 word platform I enjoy as a writer, spinning just enough of the tale to draw in the reader, but allowing them to drive the story starting on word 101.
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Something bad is about to happen – or maybe not. Intriguing.
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Everyone seems to think it’s going to end badly…
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I love that we both went for films, I will have to watch The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
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An acquired taste Michael, but well worth looking up.
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I hope he’s careful about what he does next. Sometimes it’s better to walk away. Intriguing story.
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Thank you Jilly. the original film ends that way, but who knows..!
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I caught the reference. Nice imagery in this piece.
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Thank you, a gem of a film.
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How does he know he has lost everything? His wife and daughters still alive. Hope he doesn’t do anything foolish.
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Not his wife Abhijit, Madeline has had his child, but has moved on to be with another man.
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Does he know that?
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Yes he does, so what choice should he make?
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Thinking Cast Away with Tom Hanks and Helen Hunt where she married someone else.
Haven’t seen the film you mention though.
I’m optimistic that once she gets over the shock of seeing him, they can reach a compromise for Madeline’s sake if nothing else Depends on her new husband of course..
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Thanks Di – a film worth looking out for if you ever get the chance. A similar idea – she moves on after he fails to return from war, only for him to then reappear.
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Need tissues?
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A little, but all done as a musical – not a typical musical though, no big bombastic numbers, but even the dialogue is sung. You kind of have to see it to understand, it’s quite different from any other film I know of!
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I’ve seen something in a similar format.
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Dear Iain,
Can’t imagine where this is going. Not familiar with the movie. At any rate, I’m a romantic and desire a happy ending. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You appear to be one of the few romantics commenting today, I’m glad someone is imagining a happy ending for them 🙂 If you ever find a copy, well worth a watch for something different.
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Good, tense writing, Iain. The contrast between the daughter’s glee, the gaiety of the umbrella, and the limping, monochrome figure is made stark by your decision to set the story in a snowy park.
I’m afraid I can’t see a happy outcome. If he’d wanted to attempt a reconciliation, he would surely have made a prior arrangement? If he wanted to negotiate access to his daughter he would have done it in an office with a lawyer present. As it is we must just hope that nobody is physically harmed.
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Thanks Penny, I can see I’m going to have to work harder to appeal to the romantics looking for a happy ending! 😉
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seeing them happy , he may move on in life. time heals wounds.
https://ideasolsi65.blogspot.com/2018/09/low-spirits.html
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Perhaps he will.
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I don’t know the film Iain, but your story has me thinking it’s worth finding out more. Well told.
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Thank you, if you fancy something a bit different, definitely one to look for.
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I have not seen the film… but somehow I think he will be positively surprised.
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I think there is a chance it could all end well.
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I’ve never heard of that movie. I’ll have to check it out.
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Please do, well worth it.
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Very suspenseful!
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Thank you Lisa
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If she really is already married, then this can’t have a happily ever after ending. But if not, there could be some wonderful possibilities.
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A friendship, a connection with his daughter, even if she is married? You’re not buying it… 🙂
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Of course there should be a relationship with his daughter. Not sure there could or should be between him and his wife who is no longer his wife. Lots of complicated emotions and tension there.
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Definitely complicated!
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Was he reported KIA? I hope he at least gets to see his daughter regularly, although I wouldn’t be surprised if his return upsets her current marriage.
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That is the premise of the original film and what I had in mind, yes. His return is bound to cause a stir, for better or worse.
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I am intrigued. I will try to find the movie. Limping figure does suggest that something untoward is about to happen.
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Thank you, funny that that little detail seems to have swayed people towards the negative outcome.
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i’m hoping for a positive outcome considering… i’m an optimist.
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Quite right 🙂
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Lovely take, Iain. I, for one, choose to think he wants to close the gap, if only to become friends again and have contact with his daughter in a more loving way…
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That would be the ideal, if not the most dramatic, outcome! Thanks dale.
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Thanks for giving the context, any movie with Catherine Deneuve is already worth watching. Nicely done. I think he wants to reconnect as a friend.
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Thank you – she is wonderful to watch.
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I wonder if Frances even knows about him? I hope he’s not about to set the cat among the pigeons…
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I suspect she may not, and perhaps they will hide that truth from her…
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Seems like a post war story!! Touches the heart – so many families get broken because of these stupid wars. Madeline is happily married now – let bygones be bygones!
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It is indeed post-war, but does he not deserve to see his daughter?
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He does, but not to disrupt the life of his ex-wife. 🙂
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Seems like a post war story!! Touches the heart – so many families get broken because of these stupid wars. Madeline is happily married now – let bygones be bygones!
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Poor guy.
Wonder if he is a war veteran!
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That was the feeling I wanted to present.
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👍
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This is definitely the start of a longer story – one I would love to read.
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Thank you Liz
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It sucks to be presumed dead, and then officially dead, only to resurface. War is hell. Hell continues for the survivors.
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It can only be disheartening to find everyone has moved on.
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An intriguing and sad story, it left me wondering about so many things. He’d been through so much only to find she’d moved on. I watched the trailer for The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, now I’ll have to watch it.
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Do enjoy it you can track down a copy, well worth it 🙂
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IDK the movie but you’ve certainly made it sound lovely!
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It is a wonderful film 🙂
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I really like the way you have ‘crafted’ the story-line – not a word wasted, to achieve a vivid and gripping sequence of events. As others have said, it ends with a cliff hanger… what will he do ? Good writing.
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Thank you so much, very much appreciated.
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I like the open ending–and I’m an optimist.
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Good, there seem to be few around among the FriFic writers!
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Oooooo and then… gosh I want to know!
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Thank you Laurie 🙂
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The comments helped explain my question: what hell was he coming from. I wasnt sure when i read it whether the limping figure was the returned soldier, presumed dead, or if it was another more malignant chacter. I was convinced the soldiers intentions were good, personally.
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Glad you thought his intentions were good 🙂
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I think he’s just going to tell her that he still misses her. After that, he would just go on his way but not before wishing her well. That’s it, a bittersweet ending 🙂 I like the emotional connect your story had.
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I like your ending 🙂
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You did? Thank you 🙂
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This is full of intrigue. You set a poignant scene there. I was holding my breath… and will have to imagine how it all ends.
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I’d love to know what you think happens next. thanks for reading 🙂
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Very suspenseful.
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Thank you Jennie, hope you are well 🙂
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You’re welcome, Iain. All is well. 😀
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Like all the snippets in our lives, there are bigger stories behind the words. Nicely done.
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Thank you James
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Ooh this is really intriguing! Great write Iain.
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Thank you Jennifer 🙂
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Never saw the movie, but a powerful scene all the same. I can’t help but think everyone would be better served if he walked away though. However unfair that may be.
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Oh, perhaps, although in later life if the daughter ever found out about her true father it may have consequences.
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Oh, I think I misunderstood! I thought that the girl in the story was a spouse/lover from before. Daughter changes things!
Maybe I should watch the movie.
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Nice, it’s left me wondering what? Then I saw the unbrellas of Cherbourg refand made me want to seek it out! Thanks, as if I’ve got any spare time!!
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It’s only an hour and a half, so a short film at least 🙂
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Back from the dead is a difficult new beginning with little space for a happy ending for everyone. Certainly a lot of storytelling opportunities with this one Iain.
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Thank you, yes it could go several ways!
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Great pictures of people and umbrellas dancing against the snow. I imagine wife and child will be shocked and then pleased to have him back. Only time will tell if they can make a go of it after so long.
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I think time and no sudden decisions may be the key. Thanks Sarah Ann.
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I haven’t heard of the movie but i loved the possibilities here and that he was willing to take the risk 🙂
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I haven’t seen the film but I love the way this starts off looking like a happy family snapshot and the second half reveals his sadness and isolation. Brilliant.
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Thank you so much.
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So much emotion in a short little scene! Wonderful.
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Thank you so much Ellie
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I know that the movie was a three-part love story, which I’ve never seen. (And, I only know that because when I saw umbrella the title came to me and I looked it up. 🙂 )
I have to presume that he’s come back from war and still loves his wife. What else to do other than make yourself and your love known?
Well done, Iain!
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That’s it, make it known and see where the chips fall! Thanks Sascha.
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Cliffhanger! Sometimes it is better to walk away, but I understand his need for closure or answers or that something to move on with.
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Thank you Fatima.
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Interesting story. Anand Bose from Kerala
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Thank you Anand 🙂
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