IAIN KELLY

THE WAIT

They wait.

Rain starts to fall, umbrellas unfurl.

The leaves overhead are golden-brown, autumnal. It seems appropriate.

The mood is patient. They’ve waited this long, what’s another hour or two?

Most are elderly. The young can’t stand around like this, they have to keep moving, keep hustling, to get through the day.

A shuffle forward, a false alarm, they remain standing.

After a lifetime it’s worth the wait. Perhaps there will finally be some answers. Perhaps not.

Finally, the gates open smoothly.

line-naama-yehuda
Copyright Na’ama Yehuda

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.

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My second novel is released on Friday and you can now order the paperback or Amazon Kindle version by following the links:

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79 responses to “THE WAIT”

  1. kzmcb Avatar
    kzmcb

    Intriguing, as always.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Like

      Reply
  2. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    It is better to wait hopefully than to arrive

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I fear they are going to be disappointed here.

      Like

      Reply
  3. Reena Saxena Avatar
    Reena Saxena

    I wonder how one counts the age of a soul.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      As old as it feels?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Reena Saxena Avatar
        Reena Saxena

        Hmmm. I must be a couple of centuries old 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  4. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Iain,

    You leave me wondering, gates to where? Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Rochelle, perhaps it is for each individual to decide where those gates will take them.

      Like

      Reply
  5. Colline Avatar
    Colline

    And everyone breathes a sigh of relief that the waiting is over …
    Waiting in line can be so difficult.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I don’t have the patience for it! Thanks Colline

      Like

      Reply
  6. Michele Jones Avatar
    Michele Jones

    It looks like the kids that stand in line for the newest iPhone. Nice take on the prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I thought about making light of it at the end with something like that…but I seem to remember I’d done that in a story before!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. J Hardy Carroll Avatar
    J Hardy Carroll

    Saint Peter, perhaps? Tantalizing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Perhaps, or maybe something less final. Thanks.

      Like

      Reply
  8. Susan A Eames Avatar
    Susan A Eames

    Oh, another intrigue – you tease, you!

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Susan – I guess you’ll just have to join the queue…!

      Like

      Reply
  9. ceayr Avatar
    ceayr

    We took a similar view, different angle.
    Nice one, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks CE, look forward to your take.

      Like

      Reply
  10. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    Wonderfully open, Iain. Beautifully described.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Dale, I was in a vague mood 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dale Avatar
        Dale

        Nothing wrong with that!

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Joe Owens Avatar
    Joe Owens

    I love the biggest answer left to our imagination. Depending on one’s perspective and mood it could be anything!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Exactly, could be innocuous, could be something a lot more serious. Thanks Joe.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Joe Owens Avatar
        Joe Owens

        That is always my wish with stories. I learned that when I read the Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The imagination is a much more effective device at conjuring the unthinkable!

        Liked by 1 person

  12. joyroses13 Avatar
    joyroses13

    Wonderfully written! Makes me wonder what they are waiting for, but I like that you left it open ended, so many possibilities!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      The reader’s state of mind might determine the answer 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  13. draliman Avatar
    draliman

    Eager to get there yet fearful of the decision… 🙂 (I went with “Pearly Gates”). Nice one!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar
    Na’ama Yehuda

    Whatever they are waiting for, I hope the young MISS OUT!!! 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It’ll be there turn soon enough 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar
        Na’ama Yehuda

        LOL! Yep!

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    This I think is not a queue to try jumping. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Could be right, best to try and stay at the back…

      Like

      Reply
  16. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar
    theministryofshrawleywalks

    I’m hoping it’ll be just gates after gates after gates, different music playing in each queue. Good story Iain, I shall be buying the state of denial next week, I enjoyed the first.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      A musical mystery tour. Thank you so much, do please let me know if you enjoy this one.

      Like

      Reply
  17. granonine Avatar
    granonine

    Im not sensing a happy ending. I’m intrigued. Wish I could watch the rest of this movie 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Linda

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. Tannille Avatar
    Tannille

    The elderly need those walkers they can sit on. My feet hurt looking at this pic. 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      That’s true, they have come unprepared! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. Bernadette Braganza Avatar
    Bernadette Braganza

    The gates to where? I hope it’s someplace good.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I think it depends on your state of mind as to whether it ends up being good or not. Thanks for commenting 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  20. Abhijit Ray Avatar
    Abhijit Ray

    Gate has opened. So the wait is over. At least some of them may find answer they are looking for.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Abhijit

      Like

      Reply
  21. Keith's Ramblings Avatar
    Keith’s Ramblings

    I wonder what happens when the gates close again. An intriguing tale Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      And are you allowed back through them? Thanks Keith

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  22. Fatima Fakier Avatar
    Fatima Fakier

    To wait that long for only the possibility of an answer is beyond me. Perhaps they seek medical help or something?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Ha, that could easily be the answer 😉

      Like

      Reply
  23. Liz Young Avatar
    Liz Young

    With St Peter on the other side?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Could be, or something better or worse!

      Like

      Reply
  24. JoHawkTheWriter Avatar
    JoHawkTheWriter

    Ha, I don’t like waiting in lines. Think I’d be skipping that one.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Probably wise 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  25. bearmkwa Avatar
    bearmkwa

    Good one that leaves an opening to interpretation that could go many ways. Like it!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you so much

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  26. Girl in Niagara Avatar
    Girl in Niagara

    The Wait, so suspenseful. I wonder what they are waiting for so patiently.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  27. Sascha Darlington Avatar
    Sascha Darlington

    Love the rhythm of this!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Sascha

      Like

      Reply
  28. Nobbinmaug Avatar
    Nobbinmaug

    The Beatles cover band was well worth the wait… until they started to play. The answer to the question was, “No.” No cover band will ever be as good as the band they’re trying to emulate.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Ha, no refunds either!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Nobbinmaug Avatar
        Nobbinmaug

        Seriously? Come on. The submarine was purple. Dang it!

        Liked by 1 person

  29. Esha Avatar
    Esha

    I am intrigued—wonder where they are all headed to? I think waiting in that line would be tedious but hopefully worth it, after all!

    Nice take on the prompt.

    Cheers
    Esha

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Let’s hope it’s worth it! Thank you Esha

      Like

      Reply
  30. Akshata Ram Avatar
    Akshata Ram

    You leave us wanting to know more.. intriguing one.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Aks

      Like

      Reply
  31. Laurie Bell Avatar
    Laurie Bell

    Oh I hear ya. It’s the wait without knowing… well done

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Laurie

      Like

      Reply
  32. James McEwan Avatar
    James McEwan

    I accept that an orderly queue is a sign of civilised respect.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks James

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  33. plaridel Avatar
    plaridel

    hopefully, it’s all worth it. sometimes, it ends in disappointment.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      More often than not.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  34. Natasha Avatar
    Natasha

    Is this a gate to heaven? That’s what my mind conjured.

    A place that opens the doors to a good after-life.

    Intriguing take on the prompt, Iain.

    https://natashamusing.com/2019/09/the-show-must-go-on-friday-fictioneers-natasha-musing/

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Natasha – your guess might be right 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  35. patriciaruthsusan Avatar
    patriciaruthsusan

    A good story, Iain. I hope the long wait was worthwhile. Well done. You might want to add India to your list for ordering your book as some of us can only order through in.Amazon ( Amazon India). —- Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Suzanne, my books are available on Amazon India, if you go to these pages:
      A Justified State –

      State of Denial – https://www.amazon.in/dp/B07VXLK7YB
      You will find all the territories you can get my books on my ‘Available Now’ page of my blog – there are just too many to keep listing – I wish Amazon would have a one page for all the different territories!! Do let me know if you get a copy and what you think of the books. Best wishes, Iain

      Like

      Reply
  36. Russell Gayer Avatar
    Russell Gayer

    Let’s hope it’s the Gates of Heaven. I’m not interested in seeing the other place.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It might be quite lively 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  37. Dawn M. Miller Avatar
    Dawn M. Miller

    The older I get…the sadder this becomes :/

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Alas, the same fate awaits us all in the end…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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