Monday, May 25, 2015

Hello dear

This week's picture at Magpie Tales is open to all sorts of interpretations. This is mine.

She hardly missed a day. A minute or so before I opened my restaurant door I would hear the familiar tap-tap of her umbrella on the window pane.

‘Hello dear’ she would say as she walked past me to the hook upon the wall. There she would hang up her straw hat, shopping bag and brolly, rain or shine, summer or winter 

She always did that.

She liked the table by the fireplace. She would study the menu for ages before calling me over. ‘Dish of the day and a nice cup of tea dear’ she would say.

She always said that!

The other regular customers always looked over and waved to her. ‘Hello dear’ she would say. 

Every time.

One day, last February it was, I walked over to her with her meal. It was steak pie that day. She seemed to be asleep which was very unusual.

She never woke up.

To this day her straw hat, shopping bag and brolly still hang on the hook upon the  wall. It’s not even my restaurant any more, but still it remains there. I like that. 

She probably would too.

Picture : Still Life, 1907 by John Frederick Peto 

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32 comments:

  1. I'd sure like that if I were her. ~grin~ That's a lovely image you created.

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  2. I am sure she is not alone among so many that live lonely lives and can often be found in restaurants, cafes and parks. I tend to go along to some and just observe (good material for stories!). They will probably remember me in much the same way!

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    1. You and me too! This did actually come from something similar I saw in a pub recently.

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  3. Interesting short fiction. Nicely done. A story about death that's not really sad. Good work.

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    1. I thought it wold be a nice way to be remembered.

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  4. Kind of bittersweet. I think she would like that remembrance hanging there.

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    1. I'd like to think so. Thanks so much for your comment.

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  5. She never left! Poignant, but it also made me smile.

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    1. That's exactly what I was aiming for! Thanks Nick.

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  6. That was one very special customer and how lovely that she is remembered in this way. A still life indeed.

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  7. This is so intimately written, that I feel like I was a customer in that restaurant. Wonderful!

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  8. I am glad that she died at a place where she probably felt secure and loved in a way. I too am glad that her things remain on the wall, no matter whose restaurant it was. A fitting memorial for her.

    betty

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    1. I'd like to think so Betty. Thanks for dropping by.

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  9. I really enjoyed your bit of fiction you nailed it! Very sad but somehow comforting.

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    1. That's how I hoped it would come across. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment.

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  10. and I like it too! Lovely story.

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    1. I'm quite pleased myself! Thanks for dropping by.

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  11. Your story and the painting seem made for each other.

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  12. You have done this prompt proud Keith. Wonderful!

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    1. Aw, thank you so much Mary. That is so appreciated.

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  13. A perfect match between image and story.. love the thought that her things remain...

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  14. there is a sweet lasting pattern in the write; enjoyed

    much love...

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  15. Wow! Love this! A wonderful take on the prompt.

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