Flash Fiction: The Bench

Ice covered the bench just as it tombed Sarah’s heart. As the seasons changed her husband suffered an agonising death. Cancer. She nagged him for decades to give up the cigarettes.

“She’ll be alright, Sar, only live life once.”

Left behind she watched their young grandchildren grow alone. The once joyful backyard, home to bitter-sweet memories. The outdoor fire no longer burned.

Sarah’s granddaughter tugged at her hand and pulled her towards the door.

“I need to show you something.”

Rolling her eyes, Sarah followed Abby into the frigid air. Oh to be young again? To look at the world with wonder.

Abby ran through the snow laughing. She turned and beckoned Sarah to come closer. Not the bench, the love seat… Sarah loved the girl and couldn’t disappoint her. Abby brushed the snow off the bench seat.

“Grandpa wants you to sit and create new memories, he’ll always warm you in the snow.”

Her little granddaughter pointed to graffiti David carved into the wood; Sarah + David, an infinity symbol crossed through their names. For the first time, Sarah smiled.

 

(180 Words)

This week’s photo prompt is provided by Yinglan for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers

Other stories using the prompt can be found here