Friday Fictioneers ✮ Flash Fiction 100 words ✮ Watching the Waves Reclaim You

Photo credit © Fatima Fakier Deria

Watching the Waves Reclaim You

We planned it down to the last detail, you and I. Before you were too sick to make decisions or communicate. We sat, hands clasped around tea gone cold.

“But can you face the questioning afterwards?”

I nodded. “I’m strong.”

I meant it. I was. I am.

 

Everybody thought I was crazy taking you in sixth-stage Alzheimer’s on a month- long boat trip.

How could I not? You always said when you reached that ‘stage’, you wanted to be reclaimed by the waves.

The harbour approaches. I prepare myself to answer why we began with two, but only I remain.

 

Word Count: 100

This story has been written for Friday Fictioneers, a weekly writing prompt whereby you are invited to write a story from a photo prompt with a maximum of 100 words, hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Join the fun here.

9 replies
  1. Neil MacDonald
    Neil MacDonald says:

    100 words is a hard discipline. I loved the sense of strength and warmth in this. But I wanted to see her care for him before he went into the water, saying goodbye, putting him to sleep. I wanted to know if he knew what was happening. But you can’t do that in 100 words

    Reply
    • Rebecca Stonehill
      Rebecca Stonehill says:

      Hi Neil. Yes 100 words is tricky indeed! I had to cut out nearly all of the parts that would have conveyed how she cared for him and their parting to remain within 100 words. I may well have been over-ambitious in this story! Your feedback is much appreciated, thank you 🙂

      Reply
  2. Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
    Rochelle Wisoff-Fields says:

    Dear Rebecca,

    There’s a lot of story packed into your 100 words. What’s not said is there between the lines. Well layered story.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Reply
    • Rebecca Stonehill
      Rebecca Stonehill says:

      Hi Rochelle, thanks so much for reading. I am so pleased you felt this worked.I loved writing it but was unsure if there was enough backstory in there to make it feasible so am very pleased you were able to read between the lines.

      Reply
    • Rebecca Stonehill
      Rebecca Stonehill says:

      Hi Sarah Ann, Thank you so much, I am really delighted you could see a bigger picture outside the story – definitely my aim.

      Reply
  3. Dale
    Dale says:

    I agree. I don’t need to know the nitty-gritty! The important thing is she granted him his final wish. It is never an easy thing to do and, as far as I am concerned, a pure act of love.
    So hopeful the consequences are not too dire for her!!

    Reply
    • Rebecca Stonehill
      Rebecca Stonehill says:

      Thank you Dale for your comment. I’m so pleased it worked for you…I was just very unsure if the story was TOO skeletal to be able to work. Really pleased you liked it.

      Reply

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