The Carrot Ranch Challenge:
In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story inspired by “Home Town”.
Click here to hear the author read his words:
First Love
Grey. Dreich. Depressing.
Twenty years since I’ve been here, and I know why I left.
But it’s my home town, where I fell in love for the first time.
I wander down High Street, and my heart leaps.
She is coming out of a café with a good-looking guy, arms linked.
Her smile tells me that, even at this distance, she recognises me.
I cross over, say hello.
How’s your mum, I ask.
They look at each other.
Not long now, he says, and she nods.
This place’s still a dump, she says, taking my hand. Let’s go home.
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A delightful story that leaves me wanting more! Wow! There’s an old saying that you can never go home… sounds like that is false for this guy! Bravo! 😀
Glad you enjoyed, Colleen.
Thanks for visiting
You’re most welcome. It was a pleasure.
Wonderful misdirection!
And a whole back story suggested from 99 words.
You’re a master of the craft!
Thanks, Jenne, might have been a tad cryptic this week judging from the comments
I’m in the same boat as xcomart. Is the good looking guy her brother? Is she polyamorous? Is this a dream of your narrator’s? A memory? Hometowns are never the same as we remember, as it is with the nature of existence. People are ever changing. I don’t miss my hometown either, though it’s sometimes necessary to get this closure, to make sure we feel what we feel. Sometimes returning is the only way. Thought provoking piece C.E.
You got it right first time, Rebecca, the narrator’s wife is with her brother.
When you realise that, everything else should make sense, despite my subtle misdirection!
Yes! Fits nicely. I do like the ambiguity however, it helps the piece stick in the mind of the reader long after. That “why..?” lingers.
Why I left? Or why they are back?
The thoughts triggered at the end where the reader isn’t quite certain, it leaves room for possibility, for the reader to interpret the story in a way that’s meaningful to them
that last sentence had really got me thinking, I’m not sure I get it
Hi Phil,
It is only clear when you realise that in the question ‘How’s your mum’, the word ‘your’ is plural.