Danni and her Pops bonded over movies. Although, like many Boomers, he had a tendency to glorify the past.
He strolled by the den while she was screening, on her laptop of course, not a proper screen, “Sleepless in Seattle” for a paper she was writing on Nora Ephron.
“Can’t hold a candle to the original,” he intoned, predictably. “Even that was a remake, you know. Hanks certainly is no Carey Grant. Don’t see why you’d watch this instead of the oldies.”
Danni looked up and gave the old man, with love, some sobering grounding.
I really enjoyed this story, Scott! I love how the story plays with the idea of what counts as “old.” So clever! What’s once new eventually becomes classic, right? It’s a simple story, but it left me with a smile.
Thanks, Mark! I think I'll probably have the poll question be something along the lines of “between these 5 movie titles, which is your favorite.” It might be more than one poll by genre.
This was supposed to be one hundred words but it quickly ballooned into something else.
“Ellen, here is your food,” said one one of the dining room attendants at the home where Ellen lived. “It’s your favourite, scallion, ginger beef and broccoli,” she said, placing the food in front of Ellen. Ellen stared at the food and then around the room. She timidly picked up the spoon.
“No dear. Use your fork,” said one of her table mates kindly. Ellen looked startled, dropping the spoon. Quickly an attendant rushed over with another spoon. “Is everything ok here?”
“She was using her spoon instead of her fork.”
Ellen picked up her fork and stabbed a piece of broccoli, oblivious to the conversation happening around her. Her thoughts were ravaged by the disease that was consuming her memories of the present. As she took her second bite she looked up and said, “Robert, this is the best meal you have ever cooked for me.”
Her table mates were startled. Ellen had never so much as uttered a sound before. No one knew she had a voice.
“I am so glad that you had an amazing day at work today Robert.”
“Who is Robert?” inquired another table mate looking at one of the attendants.
“No idea. Her husband's name was Geoff.”
“And this necklace,” said Ellen, fingering an imaginary necklace at her throat, “is too much. I won’t ever be able to wear it at home. Only when I am with you.”
The attendant started making detailed notes about what was happening.
“No dear. We have had this discussion before,” continued Ellen. “I can’t leave my children, nor can I take them from their father.”
There were gasps around the table.
“This is better than a soap opera,” said a table mate.
“Sh,” said another hoping that Ellen would continue.
“I can see we have unfinished business Robert. Please be patient. We will have a future together,” Ellen said as she finished the last of her meal. Bread pudding magically appeared in front of her. “MMMM. Robert you shouldn’t have,” she murmured in what could only be determined as a seductive tone.
Ellen ate her bread pudding and then sat with her hands folded as she did after every meal.
After a few minutes the attendant spoke. “Anything else Ellen?”
Ellen sat there as she always did after her meals.
“I wonder what sparked her memory?” said an attendant as she helped Ellen to her feet.
Ellen smiled and gave a little wave when she spotted Robert across the room where he sat quietly eating pea soup as the attendant spooned it into his mouth. Ellen's attendants whisked her away as her memory faded to nothingness once more.
Bravo, Bill! You wrote a deeply touching and beautiful story. I can see why it was difficult to keep it to 100 words. Ellen’s brief glimpse into a world shaped by her memories, where she speaks to Robert with warmth and longing, feels incredibly real and moving.
Maria was an old maid. At least society called her one. She didn't let it bother her and lived alone, allergic to dogs and cats. For many years she fought a battle with ants.
One day a handsome exterminator came to deal with her ant problem.
There must have been magic in the air for two souls met and merged on that fateful day True love had finally come to Maria and her exterminator. After a blissful summer together, Maria discovered a lump. To her surprise, he remained with her and nursed her through the worst treatments..Her shining knight !
What a charming story, Theresa! I love that it's real! I especially like how Maria’s “shining knight” isn’t a fairy tale prince but a real, caring person who stays by her side through tough times. It’s quietly hopeful and deeply human.
It was a mixed relationship, Japanese and American. It was an affair to remember, although it was one-way and was brief. Such encounters like this always were. The initial contact between them was at the end of the war, so the politics doomed it to fail. Still, sensing destiny, he would surprise her and drop in on her. He had to. He flew in, even knowing it wouldn't be easy at the end of the war. He was a Fat Man, but she disapproved of him because he was an American. Just like all of the people of Nagasaki.
Wow, Gerard! What an incredibly powerful story! Knowing that “Fat Man” refers to the bomb adds a haunting depth to the narrative. The way it captures the complex and painful relationship between the personal and the political is deeply moving. It’s a sharp reminder of how history can shadow human connections, making even the simplest encounters heavy with meaning. This is one story that will linger in my mind.
Time Lapse Photography
Danni and her Pops bonded over movies. Although, like many Boomers, he had a tendency to glorify the past.
He strolled by the den while she was screening, on her laptop of course, not a proper screen, “Sleepless in Seattle” for a paper she was writing on Nora Ephron.
“Can’t hold a candle to the original,” he intoned, predictably. “Even that was a remake, you know. Hanks certainly is no Carey Grant. Don’t see why you’d watch this instead of the oldies.”
Danni looked up and gave the old man, with love, some sobering grounding.
“Dude. This IS an oldie.”
I really enjoyed this story, Scott! I love how the story plays with the idea of what counts as “old.” So clever! What’s once new eventually becomes classic, right? It’s a simple story, but it left me with a smile.
Thanks, Caro I am excited for these great prompts, a movie nerd’s dream!
love the new direction of using movie titles for the prompts, ready to see what's next!
Glad you like it! I haven't chosen all the movie titles yet. I'm considering creating a poll at some point. We'll see.
I will vote when you publish it, feel free to poll my community on Sundays, they love movies
Thanks, Mark! I think I'll probably have the poll question be something along the lines of “between these 5 movie titles, which is your favorite.” It might be more than one poll by genre.
An Affair To Remember
This was supposed to be one hundred words but it quickly ballooned into something else.
“Ellen, here is your food,” said one one of the dining room attendants at the home where Ellen lived. “It’s your favourite, scallion, ginger beef and broccoli,” she said, placing the food in front of Ellen. Ellen stared at the food and then around the room. She timidly picked up the spoon.
“No dear. Use your fork,” said one of her table mates kindly. Ellen looked startled, dropping the spoon. Quickly an attendant rushed over with another spoon. “Is everything ok here?”
“She was using her spoon instead of her fork.”
Ellen picked up her fork and stabbed a piece of broccoli, oblivious to the conversation happening around her. Her thoughts were ravaged by the disease that was consuming her memories of the present. As she took her second bite she looked up and said, “Robert, this is the best meal you have ever cooked for me.”
Her table mates were startled. Ellen had never so much as uttered a sound before. No one knew she had a voice.
“I am so glad that you had an amazing day at work today Robert.”
“Who is Robert?” inquired another table mate looking at one of the attendants.
“No idea. Her husband's name was Geoff.”
“And this necklace,” said Ellen, fingering an imaginary necklace at her throat, “is too much. I won’t ever be able to wear it at home. Only when I am with you.”
The attendant started making detailed notes about what was happening.
“No dear. We have had this discussion before,” continued Ellen. “I can’t leave my children, nor can I take them from their father.”
There were gasps around the table.
“This is better than a soap opera,” said a table mate.
“Sh,” said another hoping that Ellen would continue.
“I can see we have unfinished business Robert. Please be patient. We will have a future together,” Ellen said as she finished the last of her meal. Bread pudding magically appeared in front of her. “MMMM. Robert you shouldn’t have,” she murmured in what could only be determined as a seductive tone.
Ellen ate her bread pudding and then sat with her hands folded as she did after every meal.
After a few minutes the attendant spoke. “Anything else Ellen?”
Ellen sat there as she always did after her meals.
“I wonder what sparked her memory?” said an attendant as she helped Ellen to her feet.
Ellen smiled and gave a little wave when she spotted Robert across the room where he sat quietly eating pea soup as the attendant spooned it into his mouth. Ellen's attendants whisked her away as her memory faded to nothingness once more.
Bravo, Bill! You wrote a deeply touching and beautiful story. I can see why it was difficult to keep it to 100 words. Ellen’s brief glimpse into a world shaped by her memories, where she speaks to Robert with warmth and longing, feels incredibly real and moving.
Thank you for the prompt and kind words.
An Affair To Remember
Maria was an old maid. At least society called her one. She didn't let it bother her and lived alone, allergic to dogs and cats. For many years she fought a battle with ants.
One day a handsome exterminator came to deal with her ant problem.
There must have been magic in the air for two souls met and merged on that fateful day True love had finally come to Maria and her exterminator. After a blissful summer together, Maria discovered a lump. To her surprise, he remained with her and nursed her through the worst treatments..Her shining knight !
Thank you, Caro !
Mine is a true story also !
What a charming story, Theresa! I love that it's real! I especially like how Maria’s “shining knight” isn’t a fairy tale prince but a real, caring person who stays by her side through tough times. It’s quietly hopeful and deeply human.
Thank you, Scott !
Thank you Gerard!
100-word wonder: prompt--An Affair to Remember
Title: She Didn't Dig Fat Guys
It was a mixed relationship, Japanese and American. It was an affair to remember, although it was one-way and was brief. Such encounters like this always were. The initial contact between them was at the end of the war, so the politics doomed it to fail. Still, sensing destiny, he would surprise her and drop in on her. He had to. He flew in, even knowing it wouldn't be easy at the end of the war. He was a Fat Man, but she disapproved of him because he was an American. Just like all of the people of Nagasaki.
Wow, Gerard! What an incredibly powerful story! Knowing that “Fat Man” refers to the bomb adds a haunting depth to the narrative. The way it captures the complex and painful relationship between the personal and the political is deeply moving. It’s a sharp reminder of how history can shadow human connections, making even the simplest encounters heavy with meaning. This is one story that will linger in my mind.
Such a giving and generous comment on this. Thanks for your kind words.