Iain Kelly

Fiction Writing

FOR RICHER, FOR POORER, FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE

Time to do it, enough putting it off, you’ve been gone six months now.

As difficult as it is, there’s something therapeutic about clearing out your belongings. Especially in the garage. All the little knick-knacks you’ve kept over the years, never to be used.

Some I can sort into boxes, some I can give to others. The rest will go to the dump.

One small pile I’m not sure what to do with. Really I should destroy them, the souvenirs you kept. And the knives. I should really clean them up now. It’s evidence after all.

I smile. Happy memories.

Copyright Alicia Jamtaas

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 more stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

‘The Barra Boy’ is available now. You can find all the information for getting a copy HERE.

Iain Kelly

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61 responses to “FOR RICHER, FOR POORER, FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE”

  1. Anita Avatar
    Anita

    Gosh! Knives are the evidence.
    She is missing, but her souvenirs are intact.

    Well expressed, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Anita, I was going for more of a happy marriage where they shared the same ‘hobby’. Interesting that you assume it is a ‘she’ who is missing and not ‘he.’

      Like

      Reply
      1. Anita Avatar
        Anita

        That was an assumption as no name was given.
        I assumed that the protagonist/narrator is a male as the writer of this story is a male- You! 🙂
        The words “clean them up” and “evidence” made me think of crime & that the end was sinister & not a happy marriage.

        Happy Marriage- He loves her and misses her and would love to keep all her things carefully.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Sadje Avatar
    Sadje

    A chilling last line!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Sadje.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Sadje Avatar
        Sadje

        You’re welcome

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Tannille Avatar
    Tannille

    Knives can be recycled and used again… with pleasure… 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Yes, they can last a lifetime! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    It may be best not to give the knives away

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      May come in handy in the future after all.

      Like

      Reply
  5. Nortina S. Avatar
    Nortina S.

    Ooh! Love the twist at the end!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. Reena Saxena Avatar
    Reena Saxena

    Evidence against whom?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Precisely.

      Liked by 1 person

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

    Happy memories of a dastardly yet satisfying deed presumably!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It’s nice to have shared hobbies in a marriage, something they both enjoy.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. granonine Avatar
    granonine

    Agh! And here I thought he was being all sentimental!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Well, in their own way, yes! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. Liz H Avatar
    Liz H

    Ew, creepy. It ‘sparks joy,’ as they say, but not enough to keep the spoils of the hobby.
    But then again, maybe he/she will reconsider after handling the knives for washing up…
    🥀🕷🎃

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Yes, they may get bored after a while and decide to create new memories…!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. msjadeli Avatar
    msjadeli

    And the poignant tale’s breadcrumbs lead us to… a bear trap! You got me! Good one, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, nice to still cause a surprise or two!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. msjadeli Avatar
        msjadeli

        You’re welcome 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  11. scr4pl80 Avatar
    scr4pl80

    LOL hope that wasn’t Archie or Alice :). This is very relevant as we have just gotten home from a 14 day trip to Oregon where we helped move my mom in law to an assisted living facility. 96 years of accumulated stuff!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Wow, sounds like a big job! Recently cleared out father-in-law’s garage after he passed away. Fortunately no discoveries like this one!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. pensitivity101 Avatar
    pensitivity101

    Creepiness at its best Iain. Love it

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Di

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. pensitivity101 Avatar
        pensitivity101

        🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  13. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar
    theministryofshrawleywalks

    Great last line, wasn’t expecting that!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you!

      Like

      Reply
  14. Becky Ross Michael Avatar
    Becky Ross Michael

    Good one!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Becky 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Becky Ross Michael Avatar
        Becky Ross Michael

        You’re very welcome; I enjoyed this.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar
        Iain Kelly

        🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Danny James Avatar
    Danny James

    Statue of limitations comes to the rescue.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It’s a good get out clause if you can last long enough 😉

      Like

      Reply
  16. creatingahome Avatar
    creatingahome

    Not sure how worried i should be about this person.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Depends if you live close by… 😉

      Like

      Reply
  17. ww Avatar
    ww

    Yes we were both similarly inspired by the photo. Yours a little more sinister though.

    Like

    Reply
    1. Sandra Crook Avatar
      Sandra Crook

      Sorry Iain, I’m having some problems with WP letting me comment – Sandra.

      Like

      Reply
  18. authorfleurl Avatar
    authorfleurl

    That started off as a sad story, tidying up as a widow or widower…but then that twist…evidence…that leaves lots of possibilities! Good story!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, that was the plan, glad it worked!

      Like

      Reply
  19. starsinclayjars Avatar
    starsinclayjars

    Love a dark twist! I imagined a man, who murdered his wife. Not sure why, but that was my first understanding. Could have been lots of other scenarios – very clever!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, yes open to interpretation as to who’s been killing who!!

      Like

      Reply
  20. Bear Avatar
    Bear

    The keeping of trophies…every serial killer’s treasure trove. shivers my spine to consider…..hmmm, maybe I better go and check that box on the closet shelf…heeemmmm

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Crikey, hope you don’t find anything there!!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Bear Avatar
        Bear

        LOL!

        Liked by 1 person

  21. Bill Avatar
    Bill

    Right, Iain. But after six months, one might let one’s guard down a bi more. Just put them in a sale marked, “murder weapons — make offer.” 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Someone is bound to snap them up!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  22. Tessa Avatar
    Tessa

    What a surprise the ending was. I like to do that sometimes. It depends on the mood I am in.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  23. plaridel Avatar
    plaridel

    i can truly relate except for the knives. and the backstory behind them. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank goodness!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  24. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Iain,

    Just when I think he’s sentimental the story takes a sinister turn. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Rochelle

      Like

      Reply
  25. Nobbinmaug Avatar
    Nobbinmaug

    Ah, it’s the old conundrum. What to do with happy mementos that are also evidence.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Can’t bear to part with them – guilty pleasure!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  26. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar
    Brenda’s Thoughts

    Oh, this took a dark turn. I love it!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Brenda

      Like

      Reply
  27. Laurie Bell Avatar
    Laurie Bell

    Oh… oh dear
    I have a bad feeling about ‘how’ the other person left. Eeep

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Natural causes… I’m sure…

      Like

      Reply
  28. IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH – Iain Kelly Avatar
    IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH – Iain Kelly

    […] A rare follow on from last week’s story: FOR RICHER, FOR POORER, FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE. […]

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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