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

Henry and the bell

The bell tolled, and once again Henry’s skin crawled.

For 37 months he had been at the beck and call of the woman in the room upstairs. 
The accident had been desperately unfortunate, but there are ways to handle such tragedy in life. 

Henry took one final look at the ring he’d placed by the sink, picked up the lunch tray and trudged up the creaking staircase.

“To death do us part,” he muttered.
“Pardon dear? Do speak up. You know I so hate it when you mumble.”
“Enjoy your lunch, my love,” he said, as he turned and left.

Hey, Listen

Read More

Read more. It’s good advice full stop, but it’s also what you should do after reading this story. It was written for Friday Fictioneers, hosted as ever by Rochelle. In this group you’ll find other writers posting 100 word stories based around a photo prompt – this week supplied © Roger Bultot! Go read their stories here. Go on. You know you want to!

Horror Music by Migfus20

Search for a Topic
Categories
Posted Recently

18 responses to “Henry and the bell”

  1. Neil MacDonald

    That bell is never going to toll again, is it?

    Reply
  2. justjoyfulness

    Very well-written. You captured the helplessness of the man and the need for him to escape.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Thank you

      Reply
  3. The Sicilian Storyteller

    A person just knows when they’ve had too damn much.
    Excellent storytelling, Binks.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Wow, thank you for the great comment!

      Reply
      1. The Sicilian Storyteller

        Most welcome. Just telling it like I see it!

  4. rochellewisoff

    Dear Mr. B,

    A story well told. His anger and despair are tangible.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Thank you, I enjoyed publishing this one!

      Reply
  5. James Pyles

    Poison!

    Reply
  6. Anita

    Well expressed. Desperation & promises & responsibility… Life for a care-giver can be tough.

    Hope he doesn’t do anything in haste for which he’ll repent a lifetime.

    Reply
  7. msjadeli

    You could also title this, “The Last Supper” but he surely isn’t an apostle. I admire him sticking with it for 37 months. I wouldn’t last a week.

    Reply
  8. Dale

    Hmmm… Just what is in that lunch, anyway?

    Reply
  9. James McEwan

    Wishful thinking needs action. I am left wondering how would he feel if the tables were turned. The wasted years of obligation creep on, and on.

    Will he be free after the lunch?

    Reply
  10. Angela

    The growing frustration is palpable. Til death do us part, eh? Well told!

    Reply
  11. Margaret

    It seems Henry’s patient months of self-sacrifice are coming to an end. You show his state of mind very well here. I like the ending, which is loaded with irony afte what we’ve learned about Henry.

    Reply
  12. Dawn M. Miller

    Til death do us part….perfect line to tell the story.

    Reply
  13. Brenda

    Chilling story! Till death do us part indeed. Nice one.

    Reply
  14. R.M. Carlson

    Nice! I could feel how he feels!

    Reply

Don’t be shy, leave a reply

Blog at WordPress.com.