Every week, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (thank you, Rochelle!) hosts a flash fiction challenge, to write a complete story, based on a photoprompt, with a beginning, middle and end, in 100 words or less. Post it on your blog, and include the Photoprompt and Inlinkz on your page. Link your story URL. Then the fun starts as you read other peoples’ stories and comment on them!
Rob’s chair
‘I shan’t be needing that again,’ said Rob, as we watched the first snow cover his garden chair on the terrace. I gave his arm a squeeze; there was nothing I could say.
He died mid-winter, and I got on with life, but even when spring came I left the chair where it was. It was Rob’s chair, to help me remember him, his laugh, his joie de vivre.
Eventually, I met someone else I could love and winter gave place to spring. We’re quietly happy together.
I haven’t told him about Rob’s chair – but I think he’s guessed.
Autumn Leaves 
What a lovely wistful piece, Penny
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Thank you for your very kind comment, Neil. I’m delighted you enjoyed the story.
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He knows.
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Thank you for your empathic comment, Danny. I think you’re right – he knows.
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I admire the new man, he knows, understands, and is happy to leave it as is. Lovely.
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Thank you for your empathic comments, Iain. I’m delighted you enjoyed my story.
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Penny, that is such a tender story. I’m glad she found someone who understands. ❤
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Thank you for your kind comments, Lisa. Yes, she feels that her new partner understands, but they neither of them talk about it. Maybe that will come someday.
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I like how this is done with a quiet tone, sad but forward looking.
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Thank you for your very perceptive comments, James. You’ve helped me to understand better why the story works.
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A story told with grace and dignity. Well done.
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Thank you for your kind comment, Sandra. Some people are so dear to us that we can never quite let them go.
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I like to think he will completely understand her need for the chair to stay. Beautifully done, Penny.
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Thank you for such an empathic comment, Dale; and thank you for such a wonderful photo for the prompt. It’s an inspiring blend of spring and winter, of shabby and well-loved, of light and shade.
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I say that because any guy who is with me, needs to understand I have a section of my heart reserved for Mick. (And my guy does 😉)
Glad you liked the photo. I enhanced it to give it oomph!
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I was thinking of you and Mick as I wrote. You probably already guessed that!
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Awww! That’s just so lovely!
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Simply beautiful Penny. He’s guessed, accepts and understands.
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Thank you for your kind comment, Keith. You’re right; her new partner appreciates the importance of Rob’s chair, even without knowing its story.
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Dear Penny,
Moving on doesn’t mean forgetting, does it? If this new man is worth his salt, he’ll understand Rob’s chair. Sweet story, well told.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Thank you for your thoughtful comment. You’re right; moving on doesn’t mean forgetting; there’ll always be a part of you that feels the affinity you shared in life.
Shalom
Penny
xx
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Well done, Penny. A warm memory followed by a comforting future. 🙂
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Thank you for your kind comments, Bill. ‘A warm memory followed by a comforting future’; that’s about as good as it gets, isn’t it?
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It is.
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It’s good that she moved on. Hardest thing to be done. Good story.
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Thank you for your kind comment. You’re right; it’s very difficult to move on after the loss of your life-partner. I’m glad you enjoyed the story.
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What a lucky person to have found such love twice. A bittersweet and hopeful story, beautifully done.
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Thank you for your comment, which showed a lot of insight. Yes, she was lucky to find such love twice in her life. She was someone who had a talent for love.
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This is lovely and loving … and, I think that even if he’d guessed, he’d understand. There’s room for love of all kinds in the open heart.
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Dear Na’ama
Thank you for such affirming comments. As you say, ‘There’s room for love of all kinds in the open heart.’
Shalom
Penny
xx
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Amen to love and open hearts. xoxo
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Loving tale of moving on or rather moving forward. We don’t forget people when they are gone. The reminder can be comforting for some.
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Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Tannille. When we have loved someone, our own lives are permanently altered by that love, and that goes on even after death.
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A second-time-around love needs to be able to accommodate the memories from the first. With that understood by both parties, all will be well. Very nicely told here, Penny.
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Thank you for your kind comment, Margaret. I like your insight that ‘A second-time-around love needs to be able to accommodate the memories from the first.’
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True love came across in this, lovely
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