Sadness enters everyone’s life at one time or another. Sometimes we have to borrow from other people in order to overcome the starkness of events. This young man borrowed something that…
Each week Rochelle Wisoff-Fields posts a pic to write a 100 word story about.
This week it’s a sad ficton with hope restored but at a small cost to someone else’s happiness.
Copyright – Jan Wayne Fields
Life Grows On
Aaron looked at the grim courtyard which, though bare, was no contrast to the stark elegance of his family’s dinner setting.
His neighbor. Mrs. Kettle, tendered an out-of-place pot of red flowers just below her window, which she watered daily, and loved dearly.
Aaron, oppressed by the severity of the room, the courtyard, and the realization the mourners would arrive shortly for their meal, slipped into the courtyard and repositioned Mrs. Kettle’s prize onto the middle of the table.
His spirits lifted, though Mrs. Kettle’s would certainly fall, not knowing the pot had only been temporarily repositioned.
Randy Mazie
The Writer's Village 
Unusual for you, Randy, and very touching. Nicely done.
Thanks.
He could have asked to borrow it, but that wouldn’t have been as interesting for the story. Nice job, Randy.
janet
Silly you. She wasn’t home. Everybody knows that. 😉 Randy
And just so that you don’t prattle on about this, he didn’t have a pen or paper, he was illiterate, he didn’t like Mrs. kettle anyway, and it was Thursday which makes all the difference in the world. Okay? Happy?
No. 😛
So sorry. I’ll be glad to send you a full refund.
Happy now?
Yes.
There’s no reason he couldn’t have phone and left a message on her answerphone then? Nice departure from your usual style – it pays to ring the changes. Well done.
Gosh, you guys are killing me.
Mrs. kettle didn’t have a phone. She was living on social security, her husband had passed. the flowers were the only thing she could afford. What the hell do you want. We only are allowed 100 words.
Geez.
You guys are killing me. I’ll be sending you a full refund shortly, too, along with Janet.
I’m a forgiveness over permission guy myself, so screw Mrs. Kettle. I like the idea of the borrowed happiness to ward off the sorrow.
Thank. you. Thank you very much.
I’m much relieved.
Randy
Dear Randy,
Nu? If the flowers gave him a little nachas Mrs. Kettle should be happy…well, that is when she finds out, right? After all, it’s only temporary and he won’t harm the flowers.
A rather poignant tale. Nice one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Now, l that’s an understanding response that I not only can live with, but i like.
Thank you, Rochelle.
Randy
I think the pot of flowers was a little sign. I’m glad he followed it and took the chance. Nice story, Randy. Well written.
Thank you, Amy.
With any luck the flowers can be returned before she even notices they are missing. Then it’s a win-win.
Hopefully. But I think his conscience will still bother him for taking it.
Nice, a bit of borrowed happiness. I liked the grim table setting mirroring the grim courtyard mirroring the grim business of mourning… Works well.
Cheers
KT
Thanks, KT. We have to get a little uplift from wherever we can sometimes.
Randy
The yin yang of life. I would have borrowed the flowers, too. Red is my favourite colour.
Lily
You’re my kind of person.
😉
Randy
You’ve created such a mood here that the room does need to be lifted with that flash of red. I’m sure Mrs. Kettle will recover once the flowers are returned and put it down to a senior moment.
I suppose… at least, hope.
First , always… do no harm.
Randy
As long as Mrs. Kettle doesn’t know and he’s just borrowing it, I don’t think it does any harm, Randy. Please don’t get upset again, okay. I realize you’re doing the best you can with just 100 works. Take it easy; well done. 🙂 — Suzanne
I am “clearing my mind” and focussing on the present moment – and letting go.
😉 Randy
Dear Randy, I heard that Mrs. Kettle fell down and broke her hip, so he was really doing her a favor of watering and taking care of the flowers. I loved your story and loved your replies too! Nan 🙂
Poor ma Kettle.
I’ll have to remember to send her some flowers – even if they are her own flowers.
Ha.
Randy
Hoping that Mrs. Kettle didn’t notice… 🙂
😉