This is where you are and this is what we're doing

June

Ever since she’d been little she’d harboured romantic notions of curling up by the fire with a steaming hot chocolate and a good book, every now and then turning to read aloud the bits that made her smile to the one she loved.

But it had been a long winter. There was no fire. No chocolate (hot or otherwise). The books had been read, sold & turned into sustenance.

Her wrinkled fingers shakily pulled the itchy blanket close to her chin. The ball of fur on her lap twitched an ear.

She closed her eyes as the bitterness kissed her lips.

Back once again after another hiatus. Here’s a little 100-worder for Friday Fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle. Please feel free to comment, critique, like or subscribe for more!

Oh, and don’t forget to check out the other stories based on this picture.

roger-bultot-flower

Search for a Topic
Categories
Posted Recently

40 responses to “June”

  1. Iain Kelly

    Good to have you back. A bitter, cold tale, very well written.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Cheers Iain.

      Reply
  2. neelwritesblog

    Very well written, Mr Binks

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      thank you

      Reply
  3. neilmacdon

    I loved the hanging clue of the bitterness. A hint of almonds perhaps?

    Reply
  4. rochellewisoff

    Dear Peter,

    Good to see you back. A rather wistful tale, leaving me questioning what has caused the bitterness. Nicely done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Thanks Rochelle.

      Reply
  5. J Hardy Carroll

    Depression is a cruel, heartless and endlessly patient affliction. Well depicted.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      thanks for reading.

      Reply
  6. Sandra

    So very nicely done, and so good to see you back.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Why thanks, I’ll try and stick around this time. I felt really rusty going into this one. Threw away a story of 2 plants talking to each other before going with this. ha.

      Reply
      1. Sandra

        Hah! dodged a bullet there, then. 🙂

      2. MrBinks

        I’d say!

      3. Jessie Ansons

        Ha! I knew there was something ridiculous lurking… But I do love the depth of the one above 🙂

  7. spicedmullings

    Very poignant! Sad for her!

    Reply
  8. wmqcolby

    Hey, Binks! Great to see you again, buddy. You have been MISSED.

    Story’s terrific. A truly well-constructed narrative and seriously sad.

    Nice work, sir! Don’t forget the hot chocolate. 😉

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Thanks very much – I’ll try not to be so missing in future.

      Reply
      1. wmqcolby

        I’ll keep the coffee hot for ya.

  9. jellico84

    Oh, that was sad. Too true for too many, I fear. Great write, though! 🙂

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Thanks!

      Reply
  10. James

    Old age, poverty, loneliness. A recipe for suicide. Funny how depressing this photo prompt turned out to be.

    Reply
  11. Christine Goodnough

    Good scene..clear pic of despair. Hope her hard time s don’t last.

    Reply
  12. Life Lessons of a Dog Lover

    You broke my heart with “the bitterness kissed her lips.” Well done.

    Reply
  13. Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    Oh.. the long time passed, a hard life. And all she ever had is sustenance for her and her cat… the lowkey sadness works very well.

    Reply
  14. Siobhan McNamara

    Such an evocative story, particularly that excellent last line

    Reply
  15. Dale

    Such a sad and lonely story. Well done…

    Reply
  16. Alicia Jamtaas

    Welcome Back! This story left me cold and sad. So . . . . very well done, Mr. Binks.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Thanks Alicia.

      Reply
  17. Jessie Ansons

    Lovely story! And much sadder and deeper than your usual ridiculous pieces. Welcome back. I’ve been away on hiatus too (baby number 2) and have been here for just the last few weeks. Glad to see your name again!

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Thanks Jessie, good to be scribbling again.

      Reply
  18. Jade M. Wong

    This was melancholy but quite lovely. You painted the quite scene really well, and I too am left wondering what caused the bitterness.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Thanks Jade.

      Reply
  19. Keith’s Ramblings

    You created a real sense of hopelessness. Excellent.

    My story is called Stardust

    Reply
  20. writelindy

    Bitterness – a word that says it all. Well done.

    Reply
  21. lingeringvisions by Dawn

    This made me frown but also wonder about her….that’s a good story.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Why thank you!

      Reply
  22. handmadejewelryhaven

    Although a work of fiction, it sadly is a way of life in our wonderful country.
    Thank you for making me count my blessings on being in a position to do all the service work that my son and I participate in,
    This is my first visit here as I found you on FF. Hope you can stop by mine also.

    – Lisa

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Thanks for taking the time to read. I’ll definitely stop by your blog.

      Reply
  23. patriciaruthsusan

    Welcome back, Peter. Poor old woman. This is made sadder by the fact it happens to so many. Good writing. —- Suzanne

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      thanks for reading.

      Reply

Don’t be shy, leave a reply

Blog at WordPress.com.