Today, I’ve joined in a weekly flash fiction challenge with Charli Mills from Carrot Ranch http://carrotranch.com/
The prompt for November 11, 2015 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write about a place of comfort that is a refuge. Have fun with it, like a pillow fight between best friends at a slumber party or newlyweds in search of the perfect mattress. Or you can go dark and write about unusual comforts, like a bad habit or a padded cell. Play with the idea of comfort and refuge.
Respond by November 17, 2015 to be included in the weekly compilation. Rules are here. All writers are welcome!
“Mum, it’s time,” whispered a familiar voice.
Yet, Margaret couldn’t bear to let him go. Not yet! There wasn’t much left of Jack but she could still hold his hand.
Now, as their entire lives had shrunk into this infernal hospital room, holding Jack’s hand was it. All they had left.
She was meant to go first. He was the strong one.
That was before the heart attack… the dreadful resuscitation. Such a mistake but had given them more time.
Now, it was her turn to hold his hand.
Yet, when she returned from the toilet, he was gone.
xx Rowena
Beyond the Flow 
Oh. . .SO sad!
Lovely to see you over at the Ranch Rowena and what a moving first flash. This reduced me to tears as you put me in that hospital room with them. Bladders fill at all the wrong moments.
Thank you very much, Irene. It was interesting where the inspiration for that came from.
My grandfather died after a long battle with cancer when I was 13. He’d lost his leg roughly two years beforehand and the last time I saw him three days before he died, he took off his oxygen mask and talked to me about the importance of hands. He was a dentist and my grandmother was a concert pianist so hands had been an important part of their careers. Then it sort of transformed into my husband and I. How we hold hands through all the ups and downs of life and how his hand is so much stronger than mine. I can feel his strength when he hold my hand.
I am intrigued by how so many people die just when their loved ones just leave the room for a minute. They have been there for days wanting to be there at the end. Expecting to be there at the end and then not.
In my story, it’s almost like he’s sparing her from having to make the choice. That he’s still being her rock.
I know these things don’t need explanation but I guess I find it interesting both to know how my own writing comes together and what inspired others.
I hope your editing is coming along. xx Rowena
excellent; well doe for joining in.
Beautiful flash!
I loved hearing your background information Rowena. What a lovely linking and layering. I find that often the back story is just as moving as the story told and this is certainly the case here.
It does happen that they go when you are gone for a fraction of a second but often you also hear of those that wait until their loved one arrives, or that all important wedding or birth has occurred. In some cases I think the dying can control the minute for their departure — some choosing to wait until they are alone, others waiting until they are not. I guess others have no choice at all.
My editing really has reached a full stop but at least today I have been productive and rewritten a paper I am giving next week in Melbourne. On my return I will get back into it. I feel I just need a bit of a break to refresh.
Thanks for sharing your inspiration and look forward to reading more of your posts. Cheers Irene
Thanks, Irene. Sounds like a good idea to take a break. I usually leave my work to stew. Sometimes this works but I have so much work that is 95% finished or I just had an attack of self-doubt or moved onto another project. I actually managed to rewrite a kids’ “book” I wrote over 5 years ago today. It’s been hard for me to work on my memoir with my desk dismantled until we fix the roof next weekend. Have to watch myself as I was gaining good momentum and it could so easily be lost. xx Ro
Thank you very much, Sarah. Came from the heart.
Thanks very much, Geoff. Turned out to be a rather late night!
I can tell this story came from the heart. It is a familiar scene that I was witnessed between my in-laws this past summer. Well done.
Thanks very much, Kate. Sorry about your in-laws. It’s so hard to say goodbye.
What a beautiful story and an interesting mix of details. So poignant and real. Glad you could join us this week!
Thanks very much, Charli.
So poignant. It reminded me of my dad (Jack) and my mother thinking the same thing when he was carried off by a massive heart attack.
Yes a break lets you return to it fresh but you do mull it over and it will happen. Well done on finishing your kids book project. Did your diary survive the storm okay. Those photos made it almost worthwhile not being able to work on the memoir until the roof is repaired. Hope this week is turning out better. Cheers Irene
Yes, thanks. The diary made it and the photo albums. I was particularly pleased with those photos. Found out my father was on his boat during that storm. I am hoping he was moored but possibly not. He has been seen playing golf in a storm before.
Expecting 42 degrees here tomorrow. It’s going to be a scorcher! Cheers, Rowena
Thank you very much, Jane. My husband lost his Dad to a massive heart attacked when he was only 16. They revived him but he was in a coma for a month and then died. It gave them time to come to terms with it.
Sorry to hear about your Dad. Time heals but there’s always that gap xx Rowena
Glad to hear it all survived. Men – my husband is the same as your father.
Hope you can keep cool. I think we are the only part of Australia on a map I have seen that is not in for heatwave conditions. Still hot but acceptably so. Cheers Irene
They really had the hype going on the radio this morning. Talking about melting away etc. I’ve let my son sleep in. I think we’re all going a bit troppo and feels like the end of the year already! xx Ro
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Hope you haven’t melted Ro. About to watch the news so will probably hear.
Thanks Irene. It was so hot today that my eyes were burning. 41 degrees. Thank goodness for air-con and the cool change.
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I loved this piece of flash fiction Roweeee! I’m glad that I read further in the comments and saw the backstory.
Thanks, Rena. It’s good to catch up again xx Rowena