Home > Fiction > FF – The Gift

FF – The Gift

Here is my story for Friday Fictioneers, the weekly 100 word challenge hosted by Rochelle. This week’s photo was contributed by her husband, Jan W. Fields.

Click on the blue froggy for this week’s other stories.

Copyright Jan W. Fields

Copyright Jan W. Fields

 

Gerald stared wistfully at the piano, remembering the spotlight, how the audience faded away as he lost himself in the music. The approach of light footsteps shook him from his reverie as his granddaughter ran up and gave him a hug before sitting on the stool.

He moved around to stand behind her and cupped his hands, gnarled and stiff with age, around a mug of cocoa. He made encouraging noises as the little girl moved her fingers, tentatively at first, then with more confidence, across the keys.

He smiled. Yes, little Masie had the gift.

 

  1. January 20, 2016 at 9:02 pm

    What have you done, Alistair??!! I was waiting for the ominous “note” to be struck or a side-splitting punchline, and you flummox me with honest sentimentality? Unexpected, but sweet 🙂

    Like

    • January 22, 2016 at 10:15 am

      Thanks! I had two ideas this week and I went for the “dark-free” one 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  2. January 20, 2016 at 9:35 pm

    This was lovely. Very different for you. Nice the music flowing down the generations.

    Like

    • January 22, 2016 at 10:19 am

      The talent runs in the family I think. I’m glad you enjoyed my change of pace!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. January 20, 2016 at 9:46 pm

    Lovely. No blood or gore, either. Nice. A change of pace.

    Like

    • January 22, 2016 at 10:20 am

      Thanks! This picture didn’t say “gruesome” to me 🙂

      Like

  4. January 20, 2016 at 11:38 pm

    So sad, to lose what you once loved to do to age. I appreciate you turning it around at the end with him being happy about his granddaughter — sweet touch.

    Like

    • January 22, 2016 at 10:22 am

      Yes, it happens to many, especially those who rely on such physical finesse. He’ll be able to spend his years watching his granddaughter grow in her talent, though. I’m glad you liked it!

      Like

  5. January 21, 2016 at 2:46 am

    grandpa must be very pleased. 🙂

    Like

  6. January 21, 2016 at 2:48 am

    Sweet story. It’s a blessing to be able to see the legacy live on and be part of it for that old man.

    Like

    • January 22, 2016 at 10:23 am

      Yes, he may not be able to play any more but he can tutor his granddaughter to her dream.

      Like

  7. January 21, 2016 at 4:50 am

    Awww very heart warming.

    Like

  8. January 21, 2016 at 5:10 am

    A different genre for you, Ali, but it was lovely. Looks like you’re good at whatever genre you choose. Well done. 🙂 — Suzanne

    Like

    • January 22, 2016 at 10:24 am

      Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂

      Like

  9. January 21, 2016 at 5:14 am

    Awweee… Now that was a sweet sight. 🙂 🙂

    Like

    • January 22, 2016 at 10:25 am

      Yes, granddad watching over and helping his granddaughter 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      • January 23, 2016 at 2:24 am

        I wish I had remember my moments with my grandad. It’s a lovely story you got, ali. 🙂

        Like

        • January 23, 2016 at 9:02 am

          Thanks! Sadly both my granddads died before I was born but I have happy memories of my grandmothers 🙂

          Like

  10. January 21, 2016 at 6:11 am

    Sweet story and quite the change of pace. Nice work.
    KT

    Like

    • January 22, 2016 at 10:25 am

      Thanks, the photo seemed to suggest something lighter this week.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. January 21, 2016 at 7:39 am

    Oops! Sorry, I must be on the wrong blog. Tell me, good sir, can you direct me to Draliman on Life so I can get my Friday Fictioneers modern horror fix?

    I guess it’s encouraging snark like this from the fans that keeps serious artists from ever branching out! 🙂

    Like

    • Holly
      January 21, 2016 at 5:27 pm

      Right?

      Like

    • January 22, 2016 at 10:26 am

      I do worry sometimes that my gore-fans will start to get antsy! I’m losing it ES, this is the second FF in a row like this 🙂
      If it helps, imagine I ended the story right before the gang of ruthless piano thieves burst in…

      Like

  12. January 21, 2016 at 9:48 am

    I had to look twice to see this was actually your piece I was reading! Nice change of genre. 🙂

    Like

    • January 22, 2016 at 10:27 am

      Thanks, I’m glad you liked “something a little bit different” from me this week.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. January 21, 2016 at 12:08 pm

    Dear Ali,

    A sweet change of pace for you as we see the baton passing from generation to generation. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Like

    • January 22, 2016 at 10:29 am

      Dear Rochelle,
      This lovely photo definitely demanded something a bit more serene, I thought. He’s one happy granddad to see the talent growing in his granddaughter. I’m glad you liked it!
      Ali

      Like

  14. January 21, 2016 at 3:23 pm

    A delightful story about “passing the baton.” Well done.

    Like

    • January 22, 2016 at 10:30 am

      Thanks, granddad must be very proud to see his granddaughter following in his footsteps.

      Like

  15. January 21, 2016 at 3:31 pm

    I love this Ali!

    Like

  16. January 21, 2016 at 8:08 pm

    Such a blessing she has!

    Like

  17. January 21, 2016 at 9:16 pm

    So sad,but sweet at the same time. Well done.:)

    Like

    • January 22, 2016 at 10:32 am

      Thanks! He is blessed that he can see his legacy passed on.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. January 22, 2016 at 11:29 am

    Funny – I had to go back and read this a second time to see where I’d missed something, because I couldn’t work out where the deranged twist in the story was! Finally realised that there wasn’t one! But I must say – and I don’t think it’s just because it didn’t have a dark twist – considering how short it is, that is a very nicely written piece. Well done!

    Like

    • January 22, 2016 at 11:02 pm

      Thanks! This photo was crying out for something a bit different from me. Though this is two weeks in a row I’ve written non-gore/twist/humour. I’ll have to be careful :-). Maybe the twist was… that there wasn’t a twist!
      I’m glad you liked it.

      Liked by 1 person

      • January 24, 2016 at 2:26 am

        It definitely was an unexpected twist, that there was no twist, so it worked at a different level! 🙂

        Like

  19. January 22, 2016 at 12:48 pm

    That is so cute. A delight.

    Visit Keith’s Ramblings!

    Like

    • January 22, 2016 at 11:02 pm

      Thanks, I’m glad you liked it!

      Like

  20. Dale
    January 22, 2016 at 12:53 pm

    Boy is everyone picking on you for changing genres!
    It was a sweet story and Grandpa can live on in his granddaughter!

    Like

    • January 22, 2016 at 11:03 pm

      I’ve got a rep and it’s hanging in the balance 🙂
      It’s nice for grandpa to see his granddaughter continuing his legacy.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Dale
        January 23, 2016 at 1:37 am

        🙂

        Like

  21. January 22, 2016 at 4:06 pm

    Sweet, and well painted! Saw it all clearly!

    Like

    • January 22, 2016 at 11:04 pm

      Thanks! I also have a clear picture of the scene, with kindly old grandpa reminiscing and helping his granddaughter.

      Like

  22. January 22, 2016 at 5:34 pm

    You have combined a sense of relaxation and upbeat very well. I enjoyed reading this.

    Like

    • January 22, 2016 at 11:05 pm

      Thanks, not my usual style but I’m glad you enjoyed it!

      Like

  23. January 22, 2016 at 7:13 pm

    Love it.. We need to try out different genres all the time. Love the though of a gift passing through generations

    Like

    • January 22, 2016 at 11:06 pm

      I’m always amazed to see this happen sometimes. I guess the original interest comes from the adult but the child must also have talent in the area as they often become just as, if not more, famous in whatever field it is.

      Like

  24. gahlearner
    January 22, 2016 at 7:42 pm

    I had expected them to be named Gravglag and M’gluie, but you had to go lovely and sweet this week, didn’t you? This kind of genetics must be very satisfying for parents and grandparents. Seriously, lovely story.

    Like

    • January 22, 2016 at 11:08 pm

      Yes, it must make the older generation quite proud to see the younger one so talented in something they themselves love. I’m glad you liked my more down-to-Earth story this week!
      (I’ll have to remember “Gravglag” and “M’gluie” – very cool names!)

      Like

  25. January 22, 2016 at 8:59 pm

    How joyful that must feel to discover that in a young person!

    Like

  26. January 23, 2016 at 12:18 pm

    Lovely blend of reminiscence and looking to the future. How gratifying for Gerald to see something he loves start to emerge in his granddaughter. Beautifully shown.

    Like

    • January 23, 2016 at 3:33 pm

      Thanks, I’m glad you liked it. I’m sure seeing his granddaughter play makes granddad very proud, especially as he’s able to help her.

      Liked by 1 person

  27. January 24, 2016 at 12:56 am

    What a beautiful think you described about the grandfather getting lost in the music and his audience fading. That describes real passion. Very well done, Ali.

    Like

    • January 24, 2016 at 8:01 am

      Thanks, Amy! This week’s photo definitely looked like a more serene “memories” one to me.

      Liked by 1 person

  28. January 25, 2016 at 9:07 pm

    Sweet story, well told.

    Like

  29. January 26, 2016 at 4:29 pm

    I loved this tender, nostalgia-laden story, Dr. Ali! It seems as if shelved the ominous “planetary disaster” story in favor of a sweet, human one! (I like ALL your stories! :-))

    Like

    • January 26, 2016 at 8:04 pm

      Thank you! I also thought of a much darker story but I’m glad I went with this one. That’s two FF and one FFftPP in a row which have had no humorous mayhem! However, in today’s FFfAW I reverted to type 🙂
      I’m glad you liked it.

      Liked by 1 person

  30. January 26, 2016 at 10:21 pm

    Such a lovely story, full of emotions. Loved it!

    Like

  31. gentlestitches
    January 27, 2016 at 7:22 am

    Oh sniff that was quite beautiful. You convey so much with so few words. I enjoyed it so much. sniff. ❤

    Like

    • January 27, 2016 at 11:23 am

      Thanks, it was quite a different type of story for me to write!

      Liked by 1 person

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