CONSEQUENCES

When he was admitted to the hospital, she put the chair out in his favourite spot in the corner of the garden. She couldn’t visit him, so she sat next to the chair and spoke to him as though he was still there.

She kept the chair there all through lockdown, even after she knew he wouldn’t ever be coming back.

It sits there still as she watches the news and sees the Prime Minister apologising for attending parties during lockdown. He’ll pay the fine, but he won’t resign.

She goes outside and sits next to the chair as the dark, cold night descends.

They’ll find her sitting there still the following morning.


Copyright Dale Rogerson

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.

A topical one for those of us in the UK, to try and dispel some of my anger at the latest headlines from our ‘leaders’ behaviour during the pandemic.

72 responses to “CONSEQUENCES”

  1. Dear Iain,

    Bittersweet story. Nicely done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

  2. A poignant tale that captures our anger and disbelief

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Even more infuriating is the arrogance and disrespect shown by today’s round of media interviews. Quite shocking, even by their standards.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. So sad. We have two leaders locked in battle in Australia with an upcoming Federal election. So much mudslinging and blame. How well do we know our leaders? Who deserves to run a country?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, elections looming here too, and very few, if any, deserving of a vote. It may be nostalgia, but I’m sure all politicians never used to be this bad in the past.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. That was heartbreakingly beautiful…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Sadje, reflecting on some sad times for us all.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Rules for thee but not for me. I guess the rich can afford better health care. Sad, sad, story. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. And really, it should be the rich who can afford to show compassion. Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      1. But their heads are so far up their — you know where. 😀

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Hari OM
    Smack, bang, wallop, what a story… if only it were indeed fiction… YAM xx
    K=Kalu Yuga

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you. Indeed… if only.

      Like

  7. Heartbreaking, in such delicately penned images.
    And yes, gads! What shiny, sloppy-coiffed knobs they are!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Vile, almost inhuman in their response to what they have done. Despair indeed. Thank you Liz.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. More hope found, I think, with the Grassroots level.

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Such a sad story. Look what the world is going. And I don’t like what the future looks like.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. No, it’s increasingly hard to find a positive future unless some fundamentals change. Thanks Danny

      Like

  9. An all too real story of our times. Well done, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. I just read online this morning that he has paid the fine but what a poor example during this most anxious time. And that poor woman and her husband…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. He should have resigned a long time ago, but he seems unable to. The disconnect between their view of the country and the experience of the people in it are very worrying.

      Like

      1. Politicians generally hate to give up their powerful positions and the perks of the job…ugh!

        Liked by 1 person

  11. You’ve woven together the personal story of a woman bereaved by Covid with the bigger picture of the hypocrisy of our political masters, and you’ve done it very neatly. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Aw, sweet and sad. Nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Life’s injustices and life’s loves all in a 100 words. That empty chair truly is inspiring.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Iain your story is one example of the extreme behaviors in extreme times. So many grieving for loved ones lost in pandemic.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome.

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Iain, a moving and poignant story. We seemed to be on a similar page this week. The empty chair is a poignant image. It was a great photo and inspirational prompt.
    Best wishes,
    Rowena

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Rowena, yes it’s inspired a lot of emotional responses this chair!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yes, I’m equally curious about how the photo inspires as well as the stories themselves.

        Liked by 1 person

  16. The loss must be all the more bitter Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. A poignant tale and a timely political comment all in 100 words. Nice one, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Well said, in politics compassion seems to have all but disappeared

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Sadly so, and yet it should be one of the top priorities.

      Like

    1. It is. Thanks Sally.

      Like

  19. Great one, Iain.

    I just read a story claiming that the the USA is the only country were fewer then 50% of the eligible electorate bother to vote. Death by apathy. (face plant)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yet I’m sure more than 50% feel entitled to comment/moan/criticise the politicians they end up with… Thanks Bill

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Oh man! That one hits hard. Rich people and politicians are the same everywhere. We’ve had our share of politician COVID scandals. Our former president tried to convince people it wasn’t a big deal, and they didn’t have to worry about it. 🤦‍♂️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yep, where as ours told us how serious it was, then ignored the rules he set for everyone else to abide by…

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Oh what an end. Beautifully written Iain. Heartbreaking.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Sadly a true story. Nicely done

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Our minds were on similar tracks, different trains :). Beautifully crafted, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. That touched me, Iain. Bittersweet and lovingly done.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. So sad and so realistic. You’re not gonna get rid of him. The Ukraine war is a means for him to play Churchill, isn’t that to whom he always wanted to be compared? We’re ruled by clowns. In my own country, the coward at the top disregards the wishes of his own coalition partners and most of the people and does… nothing. It is maddening.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yep, stuck with him, he should have gone long before this, but it seems to just wash straight over him, and those propping him up.

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Heartwrenching story, Iain. I’m sure there are many stories such as this.

    Liked by 1 person

  27. A story of sorrow, and hopefully, of love revisited and a reunion in the skies.

    Liked by 1 person

  28. The empty chair is a powerful symbol, and you’ve used it to great effect in your story.

    Liked by 1 person

  29. You are always good at poignant endings!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much 🙂

      Like

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