Post 1654. December 20
Every day, just before opening my cafe I would hear the tap-tap of her umbrella on the window.
‘Hello dear’ she would say as she walked in and hung her knitted hat and brolly on a hook.
She always did that!
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 said that every time!
One day, last February when I delivered her meal, she was sleeping.
She never woke up.
Her knitted hat still hangs on the hook. It’s not my cafe anymore, but it’s still there. I like that.
She probably would too.
‘Hello dear’ she would say as she walked in and hung her knitted hat and brolly on a hook.
She always did that!
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 said that every time!
One day, last February when I delivered her meal, she was sleeping.
She never woke up.
Her knitted hat still hangs on the hook. It’s not my cafe anymore, but it’s still there. I like that.
She probably would too.
Touching piece Keith. It would please her to know she left a mark. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure she would. Enjoy the festive season Iain
DeleteDear Keith,
ReplyDeleteLovely story. Every restaurant has its regulars. As an employee at a few establishments, I looked forward to their daily visits. I did have to look up brolly. ;) I learned a new word.
Shalom,
Rochelle
In one of my pubs I had a walking stick hanging on the wall which belonged a deceased regular, and that's what inspired me to write this piece. Thanks Rochelle. I'm going to need a brolly today!
DeleteA respectful tribute to her. I'm sure she would like that. Good one.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure too! Thank you Sandra
DeleteAlas - that is life.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Cheers YS
DeleteVery sweet. Glad to see the new owner respected the tradition.
ReplyDeleteThanks James
DeleteNice, cheerful tale, Keith.
ReplyDeleteIt's that time of year! Cheers Jane
DeleteIt’s really nice when people care to remember or respect those that are no more. She definitely sounds like it would have been a pleasure to know her.
ReplyDeleteLovely story.
As mentioned above, this is based on a true story. Thanks moon
DeleteAnother lovely tale from you.
ReplyDeleteVery kind of you Denise
DeleteWhat a nice tale
ReplyDeleteThank you so much
DeleteI loved the heartwarming ending. Good one, Keith - Russell
ReplyDeleteMe too! Cheers Russell
DeleteOh I do like this story... I have a feeling that the narrator might have taken over the role of ordering today's special too.
ReplyDeleteYes, pie and chips! Thanks brudberg
DeleteShe knitted her way into hearts, that's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteShe certainly did, Thanks mimi.
DeleteThat is a most sweet piece, Keith! I love that he left a part of her to be displayed.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Dale
DeleteKeith, what a delightful story. I like the way she speaks, it brings a vision of someone of a "certain age." Cheers! And Merry Christmas
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what that says about the writer! Cheers Alicia and Happy Christmas to you and yours too.
DeleteI loved reading this story, perfect for christmas
ReplyDeleteA bit of seasonal light relief! Thanks Mike.
DeleteAwww, sad and sweet. Good one, Keith.
ReplyDeleteRather that than sweet and sour! Cheers Linda
DeleteSo poignant and touching Keith.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and commenting Anurag
DeleteMoving story, Keith. She sounds like a wonderful cheery old lady.
ReplyDeleteI think she was Fatima. Thank you.
DeleteVery sad, poor lady. It's nice that a piece of her remains in her favourite cafe.
ReplyDeleteA fitting tribute to a loyal and much loved customer. Thanks Alistair
DeleteA tender story for Christmas. Well done.
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted you liked it, thank you liz
DeleteAt least she managed to leave her mark on the world, even if it is a soft and fluffy one.
ReplyDeleteI like soft and fluffy, don't you? Cheers Alice
Deletewhat a tribute that the new owner of the cafe kept. she must be haunting the place for all we know.
ReplyDelete...in the nicest possible way I'd like to think! Thanks plaridel.
DeleteSweet story, Keith.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Dawn
DeleteAww.. the story made me happy and sad at the same time. There are still few people around us who care.
ReplyDeleteI do believe there are. Thanks so much Balaka
DeleteBeautiful. So nice that the new owners left her hat there as well. I agree although it is sad it is at the same time uplifting.
ReplyDeleteWe had a restaurant in our small town. There was a very elderly gentleman who used to come in all the time. When he died, at 103, they put his coffee mup on a stand with an engraving in front of it - hung it on the wall. Funny, just this second - I smelled brewing coffee...
ReplyDeleteMine: https://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2017/12/22/tend-to-your-knittin/
Scott
Oh, I loved that story, Keith. It was sad but somehow uplifting too. Well done.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to resume writing stories with FF in the New Year.
Happy Christmas!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Nice sentiment, Keith. Have a good Christmas
ReplyDeleteA lovely story of the memory of a person, Keith. It fits this season well. Good writing. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2018. :) --- Suzanne
ReplyDeleteI loved imagining the woman and especially her hat hanging after she was gone. A sweet story about the transience of life. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteteas
ReplyDelete