The time was coming, when Mavis would leave this world in much the same way she arrived… with nothing.
However, Mavis had her own ideas. If the Chinese Emperors could take their terracotta armies and the Egyptians had their slaves, Mavis was going to be buried in her lounge room in her own Empire.
“Mother, we’re going for a drive,” her daughters chimed in unison. Although they were middle-aged, Mavis always knew there was trouble whenever they palled up. There was no way they were taking her to a nursing home. She’d die first.
Then, she saw the cake. “Happy Birthday, Gran!”
……
This has been another contribution for Friday Fictioneers. PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Beyond the Flow 
On such moments do decisions turn
Dear Rowena,
That was a delightfully happy ending.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks, Rochelle. Had to finish on an upbeat this week!
Best wishes,
Rowena
Well put.
My Mom initially resisted going into assisted living, but she finally made the transition and now she loves it. It keeps her from missing Dad too much, and being alone in the house was very painful for her.
A shame Gran is living in such fear and paranoia! Hopefully she is left to rule over her empire in peace.
Looks like old age is addling her wits.
Mine is at http://www.aliceaudrey.com/?p=15936
I like Mavis. Great imagination. She’s having a blast inside her own mind 🙂
I love Mavis! Great story.
A worrying start, a delightful ending! Excellent Rowena.
Click to read my FriFic tale
I love the idea of Mavis wishing to emulate the Chinese emperors, or the Egyptian pharaohs by being entombed in her living room. It makes a strong point about how attached we become to places. Lovely ending to the story!
You’ve fleshed out Mavis’ character so vividly within such few words. Loved it!
Maybe her daughters aren’t so bad after all! A lovely story.
Love the surprise ending!
Thank you.
Thank you very much, Clare. The decision of when to leave the family home is a very difficult one, and much easier for all if the person makes the decision and isn’t forced. That hasn’t been how it’s gone in my family, or my husband’s. It was his aunt who’d famously told everyone in the family “you’ll have to cart me out of here in a wooden box”. We all felt bad when a huge stroke didn’t kill her but forced her into a nursing home, where I’m sure she was still conscious of what had happened. The last phase of life can be very cruel.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Thank you very much, Kasturi. I am naturally quite wordy. So, I’m surprised that this short format suits me so well. Then again, I used to write a lot of poetry. How do you find writing flash fiction?
Best wishes,
Rowena
We do become attached to places…and to things, don’t we, Penny. I have quite a teacup collection and I was thinking of Mavis with all her tea cups and china and not being able to leave them behind. I bought many of my tea cups after my grandparents died and are a bit of a tribute to all the cups of tea I’d had with them in special cups and saucers over the years.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Thanks very much, Keith.
Thank you very much, Lisa.
Yes, I think she was quite relieved to see the birthday cake, too.
It might not just be old age. Just an eccentric. Or, a hoarder. Not sure which.
Best wishes,
Rowena
I’m not sure that she’s paranoid, Iain. I think it’s just a matter of time before she goes on that long Sunday afternoon drive of no return.
Best wishes,
Rowena
James, my husband’s aunt and uncle went into a village in their 70s when they were relatively young because they wanted to travel and not have the responsibility for the house and garden. They have always seemed very sensible to me. Our neighbours are in their late 80s and the wife now has dementia and it would be ideal if they could stay in their home, but I am becoming concerned. Would like to keep more of an eye and help them out but my kids have me darting all over the place and it’s hard to get any kind of routine happening. They are so sweet. They walk down to the local shops together and I see them down there a few times a week. They’re like family to us.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Yes, you’re doing a wonderful job with the limited words. I look forward to reading your poetry as well. 🙂 I quite enjoy writing flash fiction.
Regards,
Kasturi
I do love the ending… though maybe she would be better of at a nursing home in reality…
Whether old, eccentric, or a hoarder, she’s definitely letting her fears run amok. But at least she gets cake. 🙂 Thanks for dropping by to visit mine.
You’re welcome Alice. I do try to read as many as I can but my trip to the art gallery this week was very engrossing and I’m not sure how far I got. Hope you have a great weekend.
Best wishes,
Rowena
I love the concept of her surrounded by the contents of her lounge for eternity. Might make the house a little hard to market though 🙂
I imagine most people feel that fear as they get older…
Glad the girls were not ready to ship her out just yet!
What a delightful ending! Thanks for leaving me with a smile.