FF – Letting Go
Here is my story for the weekly Friday Fictioneers challenge, hosted by Rochelle. This week’s picture was contributed by Amy Reese. Thanks, Amy :-).
For the other stories this week, click on the blue frog.
Copyright Amy Reese
“Oh, Sally, look. It’s a complete mess already. Weeds, sticks…”
“Hun, it’s been weeks.”
“Has it been that long? It seems like only yesterday.”
Sally looked at her husband, eyes brimming with concern. It had been three months since the funeral. She took his arm. “Come on, we’d best go inside. Do you feel ready?”
Grief etched on his face, Harold looked up at the house, a house now empty of life. He placed one tentative foot on the detritus-covered steps and froze. “No… no, not today. Maybe tomorrow?”
“That’s okay, sweetheart. We’ll try again tomorrow.”
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Friday Fictioneers
draliman on life 
Some times we just need more time before facing life’s harsh realities.
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Very true. It’s good that his wife is understanding of that.
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🙂
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Dear Ali,
Very sad and well told. At the same time I wonder who died.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I had in mind a relative of the husband, maybe a parent, as the wife seems to be coping better. Of course, everyone copes in different ways.
I’m glad you liked it.
Ali
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Yes, time moves differently during grieving. What a touching portrayal you write of her concern for her husband.
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Thanks. I changed the wording several times to try to put that across without duplicating too many words (you should have seen the first draft!).
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Touching scene… Well done.
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Thanks!
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Sad story with a poignant view.
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It is sad, I hope he can get over it with the help of his wife.
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aww.. so sad. Grief is difficult.
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It is. Fortunately he has an understanding wife for support.
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Different from your usual style, Ali, but well-written. Sad and realistic piece. It doesn’t take long for a place to look neglected if no one’s there. Well done. —- Suzanne
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It’s amazing how quickly things fall apart without tending. It was something different this week!
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Very sad, but a lovely tale of support.
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Thanks. His wife is very understanding and supportive. I think he’ll be okay in time.
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Very sad that he is unable to make himself go inside the house. He has a very kind and understanding wife.
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He’s lucky to have someone like that.
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Yes, he is.
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This is so sad… and so very real… it’s so hard to cope with someone close passing… and having to take care of it has to be hard.
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Yes, I dread having to sort things out when it happens to me, on top of coping with the loss as well.
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Such a sad tale. Someone I know lost her brother this week and her parents are old and this story fits with that real life story. Well written.
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Thanks. It’s a sad and difficult time.
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Sad but well done story. 🙂
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Thanks. It is a very sad story 😦
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it’s not difficult to feel his loss. at least, he has understanding wife.
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He’s lucky to have her.
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This is so beautifully sad, Ali. I can only imagine the difficulty of having to both deal with the loss of someone close to you and having to sort out the remains of their life. At least he has his wife to support him through his grief. Really well done and so very different to your usual style!
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His wife is a great support to him. I dread the day it will fall to me to do something like this.
I’m glad you liked it. I seem to have been doing all humorous pieces recently so I don’t know where this one came from!
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Sad but lucky for him to have his wife to lean on. Some people need more time…
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Yes, his wife will help him through it.
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Oh, my heart clenched. How sad, and how wonderful that his wife is able to be such solid support in the midst of this grief. Very well written.
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Yes, he’s lucky that she’s there to help him. I’m glad you liked it (regardless of the sad theme)!
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This is so realistic, and very sad. I read the loss of a remaining parent into this, because otherwise, would the house be empty (unless it was a bachelor friend)? Yeah, I’ve been there, it is incredible how fast things fall apart, especially since older people often can’t care for their houses as much as they did earlier.
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That’s also what I had in mind, the loss of the husband’s mum or dad, whoever was the surviving parent. It’s a tough task, especially on top of the recent loss.
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Though sad to read, but a beautiful one for the fiction.
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Thanks. It’s a very sad scene I’ve painted here.
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Let’s hope they will recover from what seems an untimely tragedy that has left us guessing!
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I’m sure they will, given time (I’m thinking it’s the loss of the husband’s surviving parent).
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Poor chap. I would like to tell him he doesnt ever have to go in there if he doesn’t want to. ❤
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True, there are others who could do this. I think he wants to though, but isn’t ready yet.
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Quite the haunting story. Well done.
I hope you’ll read mine here.
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Thanks, I’m glad you liked it!
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Grief is taking it one day at a time. It is exactly that. Well written piece, Ali.
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Thanks. Not an easy time for anyone. One day at a time, as you say.
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Wonderful story. It’s too bad he is having such a difficult time facing the situation and dealing with it. It takes some people a very long time….a few weeks for that kind of sorrow is such a short time for them. I have a friend whose daughter died two years ago and she still can not bring herself to get rid of the rest of her daughter’s clothes.
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Thanks. Everyone’s different but it must be terribly hard for anyone.
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A touching story.
Are you okay? 😉
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I don’t know what came over me :-). I like to throw one of these in every so often…
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Keep your readers on their toes…very smart! 😉
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We can feel how he is hurt 😦 Very touching! The picture is beautiful! Pawkisses 🙂 ❤
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Thanks, hopefully with his wife’s help he’ll find a way through.
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