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.
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.
Maybe Frank’s mate is still there, riding the roller coaster into eternity
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A lovely thought. Thanks Neil.
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Bummer. Bloody pandemic!
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I’m glad the vaccine is coming, so I can write about something else!
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A sad scene. You set it very well. Who knows he might meet another lonely person and make friends.
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That’s a nice thought! Thank you.
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Ouch. Touching story. Hard to be the last one left standing.
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Yeah, you don’t want to be the last one left standing.
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I think it beats the alternative!
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Dear Ian,
Bloody pandammit indeed. Touchingly poignant story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle
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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.
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Yes, I’m lucky no one close has suffered, but I know those who have had it and friends who have lost near ones.
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Sad 🙁
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Thanks Joanne, such a sad time for so many.
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Sad story about the reality of how the pandemic has changed and affected so many lives.
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Thank you
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You’re welcome 🙂
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That’s where we are.
Stupid COVID!
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Let’s hope we are through the worst of it.
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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.
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Stay safe – the vaccines are coming!
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Back atcha! 😉
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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
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Sorry to hear of your loss Michael. Deepest sympathies.
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Sad and sweet. Well done.
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Thank you Tina
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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!
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Thank you Brenda. So many will be looking back on this year with such loss.
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Deft description of companionship and loss, Iain
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Thanks CE
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Bloody pandemic, indeed. Thief of memories and new possibilities. Good writing.
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Thank you Linda
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Oh, very touching, Iain.
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Thank you Janet
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So sad Iain.
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Thanks Di
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Here’s hoping these vaccines do what they’re supposed to.
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They seem to be doing well in the studies. Fingers crossed there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.
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I can even enjoy a story about the pandemic when it’s as well written as this. Nice one, Iain
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Thanks Penny – I’m looking forward to not writing or thinking about it in the future!
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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?
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It can’t be any worse surely! Thank you.
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You’re welcome.
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Bloody pandemic has taken so much, hasn’t it? Lovely write.
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Thank you Dale, it certainly has.
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So sad. Bloody pandemic.
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Hopefully this time next year it will be over.
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Very sad, to see your friends passing away as the years go by.
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Indeed, I can’t imagine what it must feel like.
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A sorrowful story indeed. This time last year we had no idea what was about to be thrust upon us.
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Crazy to think back – how blissfully unaware we all were!
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The bloody pandemic indeed!
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It’s awful. Can only hope the worst of it is almost over.
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It’s everywhere and tearing lives apart
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It has. Hopefully next year we will beat it.
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I surely hope so
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what a sad story. like they say, death waits for no one.
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Thank you
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Oh that ended sadly 😦 But well written!!!
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Thank you 🙂
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Oh how sad!
A great swing from the two mates having fun together to the loss of everything. It is indeed a bloody pandemic.
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Thanks Laurie.
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Very timely piece, Iain. There will be a lot of empty chairs this holiday season.
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😦 Such a sad time. Hope you are well and safe Russell.
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A lifetime’s journey in so few words. I looked with new eyes at the man on the bench. Moving tale.
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Thanks so much.
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Ah Iain, what a sorrow. Lovely piece. Well done. The repetition sharpens it all.
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Thanks so much 🙂
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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.
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Thanks so much. Hopefully the vaccine going to the older folks first will give them some quality of life back at least.
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Oh! So sad in how it builds up to the end. Well written.
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Thanks Anne
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Powerful story. Things may improve, but the world will never be the same as it was before. Too much has been lost.
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Thank you.
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