Sunday Photo Fiction is a weekly challenge presented by Susan Spaulding, who has taken over this great weekly prompt from my old friend Al Forbes.
This week’s photo is by Fandango, about whom, I am embarrassed to say, I know nothing. But I did once skip a light one before turning cartwheels across the floor.
The idea is to write a short story (200 word max) inspired by what you see in the picture (below).
Click on this link to enter your tale, and see what others have written.
© Fandango
Click here to hear the author read the tale:
Rockers
They rock in unison.
Very gently, back and forward, back and forward.
When one stops, the other stops.
They are old and decrepit, creak with every movement.
And the chairs are worse.
But seriously, the couple are getting on, well into their eighties, I’d say.
They sit, side by side, in their little garden, blankets over their laps.
If any neighbour draws near she comments acerbically, verbally attacking their children, their curtains, their new car, whatever.
People keep their distance.
She nags him constantly.
She criticises his clothes, which look as though he hasn’t changed them since the heyday of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
She criticises his hair, which is practically non-existent, a wispy, white tonsure.
She criticises his lack of energy, for always sitting, rocking, in the garden.
He speaks seldom.
When he does it is a murmured ‘Lord, give me peace!’
When I pass this morning she is there alone, dragging her chair towards the house.
‘Is everything okay,’ I ask, ‘Can I help you?’
‘Don’t be stupid,’ she snaps, ‘He fell, he’s confined to bed.’
I mumble commiserations, ask why she doesn’t enjoy the sunshine herself.
A tear escapes her wizened eye.
‘He can’t hold my hand from upstairs.’
Sound Bite Fiction 
Awww, so a sensitive heart beats beneath that crusty exterior, eh? Talking about you of course, not that woman 🙂
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Don’t bet on it, good sir!
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I can imagine my granny and granddad fussing at each other. Your story is true to life. Love the ending.
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Glad it made you smile, Brenda, and gave you happy family thoughts. I just hope your granny is nicer than this old witch!
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No, she was a sweetheart, but they certainly knew how to pick at each other. I guess that’s the result of being married into old age. =)
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Superbly written. Brought the trauma beset by old age beautifully, Ceayr.
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You are very kind, Neel, thank you
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This reminds me of a Rabbinic tale. Supposedly, there was Rabbi who was a great Torah scholar and people praised him highly for his intelligence, wisdom, and brilliant interpretations. Everyone admired him except his wife, who would publicly insult his abilities. Every time she did, he just said something like, “So true.”
When he died and she eulogized him, she shed tears of grief saying how she loved him so much and how wonderful a husband he had been. Naturally, everyone acted incredulously until she explained that her husband had asked her to treat him that way in public. He was afraid all of the praise would make him egotistical. In private, it was another matter, and she had always adored her husband.
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Thanks, James, but this old biddy just likes to moan
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Oh that last line is a killer. Hits you right in the heart.
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Well, not me, obviously, cos I know it’s not true, but I am glad it got to you!
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🙂
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Funny, sad and an “aw” moment in your surprise ending. And not a dead body in sight (that we know of). This is one of my favourite CE stories.
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Thank you, John, I’ll make sure they both snuff it before next week, okay?
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Not both at the same time, though.
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Love conquers all – or so they tell me!
Click to read my tale
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Yeah, we know that is a heap of hooey, don’t we, Keith!
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One of the many sides of growing old in love. Nicely done CE
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I guess love is, as they say, a many splintered thing!
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That was bad lol
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Sweat story of couple getting old together. One does not enjoy sunshine when the other is not well. Touching!
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Thank you, sir, happy you enjoyed.
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Just lovely
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Thanks, Michael
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Superb!
I anticipated (ha, I should know better!) some nefarious deed at the end.
And there you go, surprising me again with your gentler side!
I really enjoyed this one although the old bat is a real piece of work!
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She might be based on people I know, Em.
Always happy to catch you out.
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You old sentimental romantic. Lovely relationship between them, like so many who have been together for a lifetime of grumbles and foibles, but that’s true love.
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Nah, she just lost her gloves!
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