IAIN KELLY

THE BIG KID

She thought the days of sewing hastily cut cloth together for Halloween night would be over when the kids had grown up.

But how could she resist his enthusiasm? It was one of the occasions when he seemed to find that old spirit she loved so much.

Agnes bit through the final thread and tied it off.

‘Archie, it’s ready!’ she called.

She tried not to think about the reaction of the neighbours when the sixty-year-old man wearing a Kermit outfit came trick-or-treating at their door.

Besides, they were used to him by now. As was she.


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.

All the adventures of Agnes and Archie can be found here: THE AGNES AND ARCHIE STORIES.


⭐⭐ – ‘A great read…Well paced and full of drama. A great sequel.’

⭐⭐ – ‘an easy series to get drawn into. Well written, the plot flows effortlessly…A gripping sci-fi’

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84 responses to “THE BIG KID”

  1. jenanita01 Avatar
  2. Tannille Avatar

    Moral of the story: Never grow up!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Good advice.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. neilmacdon Avatar

    A great character, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Neil, they have certainly kept me going…

      Like

  4. Susan A Eames Avatar

    Ha ha – that was such a lovely, feelgood story!

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Susan, glad you liked it 🙂

      Like

  5. pennygadd51 Avatar

    I really like the way you used both the photoprompt and the Inlinkz frog to inspire you. Touching story of love that is even prepared to risk ridicule for the happiness of the beloved.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Penny – the 2 seemed to go together to me!

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Michele Jones Avatar

    Good for him. Just think of the candy. Thanks for the morning chuckle.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      You’re very welcome Michele 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  7. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    Both funny and touching.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Rochelle

      Like

  8. J Hardy Carroll Avatar

    Lovely story! I can imagine the voice, too.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. trentpmcd Avatar

    lol, pretty good. A lot of adults do wear costumes, but I don’t know many that still trick-or-treat 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      What’s the point if you don’t get any sweets at the end of it?! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      1. trentpmcd Avatar

        Good point!

        Liked by 1 person

  10. magickmermaid Avatar

    No age limit on having fun! Archie is super!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He certainly is. Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  11. granonine Avatar

    Oh, how touching. Sad and happy at the same time. Great neighbors, and a wonderful, caring wife. He’s a lucky man.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Linda

      Like

  12. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar

    Oh goodness! This was fun! I guess we sorta went a similar general direction as far as the outcome … though yours would REALLY need a photo on Instagram … 🙂
    Yay to the Kermit!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ha, Agnes would love sharing that photo on Instagram 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  13. pensitivity101 Avatar

    Brilliant Iain. And I loved Kermit!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Di

      Liked by 1 person

  14. scr4pl80 Avatar

    Oh how nice. That is comforting coming from Agnes. Unless of course she left a pin sticking out somewhere – LOL

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      She may have, just to remind Archie.. 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  15. bearmkwa Avatar
    bearmkwa

    HAHAHA! LOVE IT! I can picture him, and he would be welcome at my door. Besides, I’ll be dressed as Winnie the Pooh this year! Hubby laughs at me for dressing up to pass out candy, but I get such a kick out of it. One year, I went as Santa (y’all know he scares me silly!) another, I dressed as a bag of recyclables… I actually tricked for treats the neighbors and made a killing in candy (2 pillow cases full!)… They talked about the bag of trash for days but never did figure out who it was. HEHEHE! (I was 38yrs old…yeah, I’m that short!)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      You’re welcome to come to my house and deal with all the kids that come to my door! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      1. bearmkwa Avatar
        bearmkwa

        I just hoping we actually get some… for many years now (since move to Ky) there’ve been only a handful. Last couple of years I’ve actually gone up to church and done the “Trunk-0r-Treat” thing. I dress in my reenactment garb and pass out candy as I walk around the church lot.

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Eugenia Parrish Author Avatar

      Hey, that’s a great idea! If no one can guess who I am, my grown kids can’t be embarrassed! I won’t worry about my grown grandkids — they’ll love it!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. bearmkwa Avatar
        bearmkwa

        LOL! 🙂 ❤

        Liked by 1 person

  16. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar

    I wonder what the trick would be from an old man dressed as a puppet… I think that thought scare me more than the outfit

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Especially if he’s lurking round the pond in the park…

      Like

      1. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar

        You make me think of Basho

        old man frog
        in the ancient pond
        skinny-dipping splash

        Shudder

        Liked by 1 person

  17. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar

    I’d expect him to be sat halfway down the stairs on November 1st! Good stuff Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ha, thank you

      Like

  18. Liz Young Avatar

    A man-sized Kermit would be startling on one’s doorstep!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It would certainly be a Halloween surprise! Thanks Liz

      Like

  19. Dale Avatar

    Now that is love!
    Wonderful, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  20. draliman Avatar

    Fun and sweet, though that last line has me wondering if Archie is perhaps suffering from dementia. Maybe he’s just a little eccentric.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Nothing sinister here. I’m glad to say Archie is in good health, just slightly mad 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    Some people never grow up! Good for him I say.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Me too! Thanks Keith

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Sandra Avatar

    Truly a labour of love. Nice one.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sandra

      Like

  23. joyroses13 Avatar

    This was sweet! Nice to have the warm fuzzies at times. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Like

  24. James McEwan Avatar

    Yes, why would Archie give up the tradition as the neighbours seem to be expecting hm? What will he wear next year? Provided we don’t go all sinister in a Stephen King way.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Nothing that sinister I hope!

      Liked by 1 person

  25. MythRider Avatar

    Life is so much better when we don’t grow up and we have our mental health.
    Still it mad me smile.
    It reminds my of the time some college friends and I went out on Halloween night singing Christmas songs. We got a lot of laughs and a lot of candy.

    Lain, you’re going to like my entry for this week. Phyllis

    Friday Fictioneer: Kermit the Frog

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Phyllis, sounds like you had a fun time! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. MythRider Avatar

        I will never be accused of finding my second childhood. I’m not sure I ever left my first childhood completely behind.

        Liked by 1 person

  26. MythRider Avatar

    Sorry, I meant to say it “made” me smile.

    Liked by 1 person

  27. Abhijit Ray Avatar

    Archie is young at heart. Age no bar to have some innocent fun.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Quite right! Thanks

      Like

  28. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Awww this made me teary, well done Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Laurie, they are a devoted couple 🙂

      Like

  29. Lynn Love Avatar

    Good to see Agnes and Archie back! What a trial he sounds, but then she wouldn’t have him any other way. Lovely stuff, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Lynn, I still manage to get good value out of them, and enjoy writing about them! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Lynn Love Avatar

        Your pleasure in the characters comes through – there’s a real warmth here.

        Liked by 1 person

  30. patrickprinsloo Avatar

    It’s good that Archie has an accepting wife (?) and neighbours.
    But she shouldn’t bite the thread – bad for teeth!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks for the advice 😉

      Like

  31. 4963andypop Avatar

    So many men are boys at heart!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      The more the merrier!

      Liked by 1 person

  32. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar

    As I’m one year away from sixty, I really appreciate Archie’s spirit (and love Kermit the frog too). Lovely story, Iain! =)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Brenda, hope you’re entering into the spirit of Halloween this year! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  33. Russell Avatar

    Young at heart, that’s what I’m going with! Young at heart.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Absolutely! Thanks Russell

      Liked by 1 person

  34. Nan Falkner Avatar

    I think a 60 year old Kermit is a great idea! Kermit’s been around for almost that many years anyway and has sure given children (including mine) educational entertainment in a fun way to learn. Cute story – By the way, Have fun!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Nan 🙂

      Like

  35. Eugenia Parrish Author Avatar

    A good touch-the-heart story, with two vivid characters.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Eugenia

      Like

  36. magarisa Avatar

    Delightful! Growing up is optional. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  37. Nobbinmaug Avatar

    That made me smile then laugh. My mom used to make our costumes, and my dad used to trick or treat with us. He was turned away every scarcely.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ha, glad it brought back good memories 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  38. Dawn M. Miller Avatar

    Awww…bless their hearts.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

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