ANNIVERSARY

15th of May every year, Frank and Bill met at the bench.

They reminisced about old times. About meeting their sweethearts that day on the rollercoaster at Coney Island. About the lives they’d had together. The good times. The sad times. About growing old and being alone.

‘Ready?’

‘Of course!’

Then they’d ride the rollercoaster together.

But not this year. The park was closed. The bloody pandemic.

And not next year. Or any year after. Frank would still go, but he would sit alone and watch the rollercoaster and then leave.

There was no joy in riding it alone.

The bloody pandemic.


Copyright Roger Bultot

Written for Friday Fictioneers 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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75 responses to “ANNIVERSARY”

  1. Maybe Frank’s mate is still there, riding the roller coaster into eternity

    Liked by 4 people

    1. A lovely thought. Thanks Neil.

      Like

  2. Bummer. Bloody pandemic!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad the vaccine is coming, so I can write about something else!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. A sad scene. You set it very well. Who knows he might meet another lonely person and make friends.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That’s a nice thought! Thank you.

      Like

  4. Ouch. Touching story. Hard to be the last one left standing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yeah, you don’t want to be the last one left standing.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I think it beats the alternative!

        Liked by 2 people

  5. Dear Ian,

    Bloody pandammit indeed. Touchingly poignant story.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Very sad. I keep seeing all these people on Twitter claiming not to know anyone who’s had COVID let alone died from it. They’re very lucky, is all I can say.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, I’m lucky no one close has suffered, but I know those who have had it and friends who have lost near ones.

      Like

    1. Thanks Joanne, such a sad time for so many.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Sad story about the reality of how the pandemic has changed and affected so many lives.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  8. That’s where we are.
    Stupid COVID!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Let’s hope we are through the worst of it.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Here in the U.S. we’re on our second major uptick, from Thanksgiving travel & in time for Xmas. With 85% recovery, most should be…ok.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Stay safe – the vaccines are coming!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Back atcha! 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Michael Humphris Avatar
    Michael Humphris

    So true,… I lost a good friend of more than thirty years, Bill lived100 miles away, but phoned every Friday evening, how quiet Friday evening seem now. And now my wife’s mother lays comatosed with it. She was such a fit lady but age and her health is against her. Covid is indeed bad for humanity

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Sorry to hear of your loss Michael. Deepest sympathies.

      Like

  10. A poignant reminder of those lives who have been altered by the loss of a loved one during this terrible time. Beautifully written as always, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Brenda. So many will be looking back on this year with such loss.

      Like

  11. Deft description of companionship and loss, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Bloody pandemic, indeed. Thief of memories and new possibilities. Good writing.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Oh, very touching, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Here’s hoping these vaccines do what they’re supposed to.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. They seem to be doing well in the studies. Fingers crossed there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. I can even enjoy a story about the pandemic when it’s as well written as this. Nice one, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Penny – I’m looking forward to not writing or thinking about it in the future!

      Liked by 1 person

  16. A story that brought tears and sorrow as it is the story of so many right here right now 😦 2021 has got to be better, doesn’t it?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It can’t be any worse surely! Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Bloody pandemic has taken so much, hasn’t it? Lovely write.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Dale, it certainly has.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Hopefully this time next year it will be over.

      Like

  18. Very sad, to see your friends passing away as the years go by.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Indeed, I can’t imagine what it must feel like.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. A sorrowful story indeed. This time last year we had no idea what was about to be thrust upon us.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Crazy to think back – how blissfully unaware we all were!

      Liked by 1 person

  20. The bloody pandemic indeed!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s awful. Can only hope the worst of it is almost over.

      Like

  21. It’s everywhere and tearing lives apart

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It has. Hopefully next year we will beat it.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. what a sad story. like they say, death waits for no one.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Oh that ended sadly 😦 But well written!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Oh how sad!
    A great swing from the two mates having fun together to the loss of everything. It is indeed a bloody pandemic.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Very timely piece, Iain. There will be a lot of empty chairs this holiday season.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. 😦 Such a sad time. Hope you are well and safe Russell.

      Like

  26. A lifetime’s journey in so few words. I looked with new eyes at the man on the bench. Moving tale.

    Liked by 1 person

  27. Ah Iain, what a sorrow. Lovely piece. Well done. The repetition sharpens it all.

    Liked by 1 person

  28. A touching story, the joy gone from joy-riding. A double whammy, the wretched pandemic and growing old. I like the way you built the picture of their shared past.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much. Hopefully the vaccine going to the older folks first will give them some quality of life back at least.

      Like

  29. Oh! So sad in how it builds up to the end. Well written.

    Liked by 1 person

  30. Powerful story. Things may improve, but the world will never be the same as it was before. Too much has been lost.

    Liked by 1 person

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