Friday Fictioneers – Staying Put

~ neilmacdon
ceayr3
Photo Prompt: (C) C E Ayr

She found him yet again wandering through the station.

At least he looked embarrassed. “A station at night is beautiful,” he said. “Calming. So few people, but the dedication of an empty temple. Victorian railway stations are one of three British contributions to world civilisation.”

Alice followed his gaze to the great glass roof and shared the awe. Her hand crept into his.

“Arrivals and departures. When I was a boy, smoke billowed under that canopy, like mist on the hills.”

Alice squeezed his hand. “You’re good at comings and goings – it’s just the stays that trouble you.”

 

Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find It here

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99 thoughts on “Friday Fictioneers – Staying Put”

  8. I can imagine the scene so vividly. (smiles) I love walking through old, empty spaces like this… and letting my imagination play. Thanks for the journey, it was enjoyable.

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  13. That was very lovely… My great-grandmother was a “wanderer” as her Alzheimer’s kicked in. Not so much fun for those who had to chase her but I could well imagine one would find themselves where one was content…

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  15. That’s lovely Neil. Great description of a station filled wiht steam trains – you can see him standing on the platform, alive to his memories of smoke and noicse. Really enjoyed this

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  22. Beautiful story! At first I thought lost little boy, then I thought man with commitment issues… And now I’m sensing dementia. Maybe in his lifetime he’s been all three? Thanks for taking me on that journey 🙂

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  26. That was simply beautiful.
    This is my first time visiting your blog and hope to explore your tips and tools section in the coming days.
    I hope you can visit my blog also as I am newly back into blogging after taking several years off to raise my little ones, and could sure use a comment and or a follow too 🙂

    – Lisa

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  30. I like the way she handled this. Very kind, loving, and patient. My Dad had dementia and its very challenging for the family, especially the spouse. It must be horrible realizing that you’re in the early stages of such a disease and that things are slipping away. You told the story beautifully.

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  35. I too got the feeling of dementia. The last line broke my heart. I loved the line “Victorian railway stations are one of three British contributions to world civilization.” It is so true.

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