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Forever

10/17/2020

19 Comments

 
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Every week author  Suzanne Burke  invites readers to participate in a Fiction in a Flash Challenge. This week’s writing prompt is an image of an old vacant home.

For my response, I've chosen to write a short dialogue and have included a Tanka poem (syllables 5-7-5-7-7) as part of my story.

If you'd like to participate in the challenge, just click on Suzanne's name, and you'll travel to her website where you'll find guidance and the responses of other writers. 

I've entitled my short piece: FOREVER.​​


​“Grandma, why are we here? This old house is boarded up!”

“I’m not visiting the house, Charlie. There's something I want to show you in the back.”

“Did you used to live here, Grandma?”

“No. My friend, Johnny, did.”

“Who’s Johnny?”

“Someone I knew. He died in WWII.”

She let her head fall and with it the years.

“Grandma?”

“He was my sunshine. I called him that. No matter how bad I felt, he’d make me laugh.”

He darts her a glance and takes her hand. 

She inhales deeply, “He was my first love.”

Now behind the house, Charlie pauses to look around.

“Grandma, there’s nothing here.”

“I’ll show you. Let’s walk to that big oak tree over there.”

“Okay, now what?”

“Do you see a heart engraved on it?”

Charlie walks around the tree and shakes his head. “Are you sure this is the tree?”

“I’m positive.”

Charlie stares at the trunk and runs his hands over the rough bark, then looks up and spots something. Stepping back, he reads, “JS + MT -- is this what you were talking about?”

“Yes. I told you this was the tree. Now I want you to dig right here, below the heart.” She points with her cane.

Charlie grabs a thick stick and begins digging. After a few minutes he hits metal. He turns to Grandma.

“Pull it out, Charlie. It holds something I need to give to you.”

A few tugs and Charlie hands her a tin box.

“Can you open it for me please?”

He works on the lid until it pops open. Inside there’s a folded paper and a ring. The message reads, Yesterday, today, and tomorrow -- through all eternity. Charlie looks back at Grandma. She appears lost in thought.

"The ring, Grandma, what about this ring?"

She looks up and smiles, "It was my engagement ring. We made our promises at this tree. Soon you will be making yours, and I want you to have my ring. It will bring you laughter, you'll see what I mean. And when it does, you'll think of me."​


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19 Comments
Jill Weatherholt link
10/18/2020 05:44:19

What a beautiful story, Gwen. I enjoyed reading this! Thanks for sharing. xo

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Gwen M Plano
10/18/2020 06:48:22

Thank you so much, Jill. I'm so pleased you liked it. 💜

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John Howell link
10/18/2020 06:40:13

A terrific story, Gwen. I'm sure Charlie will find much joy in the ring.

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Gwen M Plano
10/18/2020 06:49:59

Thank you, John. I have my mom's ring and it's amazing what memories it holds. ☺

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Jan Sikes
10/18/2020 08:32:01

What a beautiful Sunday morning read, Gwen! Well-done!

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Gwen M Plano
10/18/2020 10:40:31

Thank you, dear Jan. Hope your day is perfect! ❤

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Mae Clair link
10/18/2020 11:34:28

I loved this, Gwen. It's so touching and heartfelt. A truly lovely response to the prompt--from the story to the tanka, just exquisite.

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Gwen M Plano
10/18/2020 13:00:30

Thank you, Mae. I'm so pleased you liked it. ❤

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Suzanne Burke link
10/18/2020 11:43:07

Gwen thank you so much, this is a moving and tender take on the prompt. I've just had the pleasure of sharing it on the challenge site. ❤

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Gwen M Plano
10/18/2020 13:01:38

Thank you, dear Soooz. You've offered another fantastic prompt, and we are all very appreciative. 💜

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D.L. Finn
10/18/2020 12:31:08

What a sweet story and insightful Tanka poem. A love that withstands time.

Reply
Gwen M Plano
10/18/2020 13:02:53

Thank you, Denise. I so appreciate your visit and thoughtful response. 💜

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Miriam Hurdle link
10/18/2020 15:36:06

What a heartwarming story, Gwen. It brought tears and smile on my face. It's absolutely beautiful.

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Gwen M Plano
10/19/2020 03:59:05

Thank you so much, Miriam. I'm pleased you liked it. 💜

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Staci Troilo link
10/19/2020 03:30:36

You really have a way of tugging at my heart, Gwen. Beautiful story. Nicely done.

Reply
Gwen M Plano
10/19/2020 04:00:36

Ahhh, thank you, Staci. Your kind words mean the world to me. 💜

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Karen Ingalls link
10/19/2020 15:04:16

Beautiful, tender, sweet. Loved it.

Reply
Gwen M Plano
10/19/2020 18:51:33

Thank you, Karen. I am pleased you like it. 🙂

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D Wallace Peach link
11/6/2020 12:26:21

What a touching story, Gwen. I was so moved. Not only the enduring love, but the grandmother/grandson relationship. Great take on the prompt.

I'm sorry this is my first visit to your site. Your gravatar sends me to Story Empire. Today I did an internet search and found you! Yay!

Reply



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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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