It’s Friday Fictioneers, the greatest free show in town! Rochelle Wisoff-Fields runs this band of merry writers, where participants are asked to write a 100-word story, with a beginning, middle and end, using a photo prompt. It’s a wonderful challenge with lots of interesting outcomes. Check out other participants here. One of these days, I plan to get up extra early to be one of the first contributors… this West Coast delay is always a bummer!
I always welcome feedback: positive or constructive. Leave something in the comments, and make my day. I try very hard to read each story in the weekly series, and appreciate those of you who visit mine.
Please check out Tales From the Motherland on Facebook, and hit like. It will give me another reason to be Thankful. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Please note: This is a sequel to a FF post from September 25th, Into the Blue. It was one of my favorites, and has come back to me a few times. I felt like the story wasn’t over. I have not confirmed this, but I feel certain this is Washington state ferry, one of my favorite places to be!
© Ted Strutz
(99 words)
Marjorie passed through the blue door and stepped onto the empty, waiting boat. This is the same ferry we took to Port Townsend– where we walked to Sea Glass beach, and made love after breakfast, she said to no one.
She sat near the window, gazing at the rose and lavender sky. She’d never gone without her beloved; they’d always traveled together. Not this time; this trip is mine alone. She imagined his grief, and felt a pang, wishing she’d kissed him one last time.
As the shore got closer, she smiled. I will wait for him, where we were happiest.
TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
I can relate. I’m lost without my hubby. Forty-three years of togetherness…grows on you. It did me! hugs for taking me there…aaahhh, the pangs and heartache of true love.
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Oh Hugmamma, I’m so very sorry for your loss. When did you lose your husband? I’m glad you liked the story, but sorry you can relate to this loss. Forty-three years is an amazing thing! Hugs.
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Sorry my words misspoke. I meant I WOULD be lost without my hubby, whether for a few hours or…alas, forever. Thank you, though, for wishes that are hopefully…a long ways away. hugs…
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Phew! I feel much better! It sounded very different… glad you are still happy with your man! Forty-three years, bravo!
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hugs for your feeling better…and aloha!
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Cool ! I had just written a 100 word story in class based on real postcards from 1975 because I remembered I read one of yours before ! ((:
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Come on, Ducky! Take the challenge this week… look at the picture and write a story; I know you can do it! 😉
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Ha..ha..ha. we’ll see . Quack.
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Do it, do it, do it! QUACK!
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Love the continuation! Nicely done!
Regards
Jim
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Thanks Jim! I started in one direction and came back to Marjorie. 😉 Thanks so much for stopping by to read and make a comment; much appreciated!
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So endearing yet sad. I love how you continued it from the first one. Nice thought that she will wait for him. 🙂
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It was fun to give Marjorie more options. I think the next one needs to be about her husband. 😉 Thanks for taking the time Anja. I’m thankful.
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A sequel as good as the original! Very nicely done and touching as well.
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Thanks Perry. I really appreciate your kind comment. I may need to continue this journey… Happy Thanksgiving.
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The sadness is tangible. Nice work.
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Thanks Patti! Much appreciated. 🙂
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It definitely had me wanting to read more!
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Then please, read more! I’m so grateful you took the time to stop by; feel free to check out other posts, and tell me what you think. 😉 Many thanks for your time!
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Very tender.
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Thanks, Claire. I’m glad you enjoyed it. It’s a sequel, and I wanted to stick to the original tone. I really appreciate your time.
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Very moving, I enjoyed your sequel.
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Thanks Sandra; much appreciated. I like this story and may have to revisit it. 🙂
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i read both stories today and i loved both. very moving.
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Thanks KZ! I’m glad you enjoyed them, and appreciate you taking the time.
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Clever idea, and nice soft tale.
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Thanks Pirate! I’m hoping that “soft” is good? 😉
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Sigh…sweet and powerful. I hope you keep going with this, Dawn. I’d love to see where you take it!
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I just may do that, Cathy! I have some interesting ideas about Marjorie and her husband. 😉
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I’ve just decided that a Ferry ride into the afterlife is the perfect transportation. Love the sequel to the Blue Door. It is always fascinated to see what is on the other side. We hunted Agates instead of sea glass, that we called Kazie agates since my mother’s Godmother tried to convince us they were just as special. FYI Ted told me this is the inter Island Ferry through the San Juans.
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I think a ferry is the perfect way to head into the next life! I was headed another way with this prompt, and then the idea of that seemed so wonderful! I’m dying to know where this ferry was going… It looks so familiar! Thanks so much for taking the time to read and share; much appreciated!
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I remember that first story… I liked the idea of the doors. I didn’t know that’s how you got to Heaven… and in Marjorie’s case, I’m sure that’s where it anchored. Yes, that’s a San Juan Ferry.
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Who knows how you get to heaven… I’m sure it has something to do with some bribes. 😉 I started writing an entirely different story, and the ferry just called for this. I appreciated you taking the time, Ted, and I’m honored that you remember the original story!
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Oh wow…I have been there and you just took me back.
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Oh wait..I just read the prequel…I haven’t been there, yet. I’ll write when I get there.
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Now I’m all turned around! Tell me when you get there! 😉
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Lol
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😉
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I hope that’s a good thing, Dawn! 😉 Thanks for stopping by.
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Dear Dawn,
I wonder if she’ll run into my Marion’s husband in her travels. Touching sentiments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hmm, could be! I started in another direction when I saw the WA ferry, but I love them so and suddenly Marjorie (from my blue door story) came to mind. It seemed the perfect vessel to the next realm. I’m not convinced that Marion’s husband is gone… you left us hanging! Shalom.
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Dear Dawn,
I think ‘sea glass’ beach should be capitalized. Could be wrong, but the question bears attention from you. The story is mysterious and leaves me thinking she’s passed over and is on Charon’s vessel. Nice that she’ll wait for him where they were happiest.
Aloha,
Doug
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Thanks Doug. I hadn’t thought of Charon… she could have spit quarters. 😉 I’ll change the caps. Mahalo!
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Beautifully written.
But AnElephant is confused.
When he takes a boat he is officially on holiday (vacation)!
http://anelephantcant.me/2013/11/22/an-isle-beguiles-anelephant-smiles/
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When Dawn takes a boat, she is officially on vacation as well… The ferries here in WA always take me to “heaven,” and that’s what took me back to Marjorie. I enjoyed AnElephant’s boat trip as well; thanks for sharing!
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Aw, so bittersweet. I think it follows nicely from the last one. Well done!
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Thanks Tiffany! I have these characters in my head now. As the prompts allow, I think I’ll explore it some more.
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You;re welcome! That’s awesome! I look forward to reading more of their adventures.
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The waitings always the hardest!
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So says Tom. 😉 We’ll see what happens for Marjorie; this may need a continuation… Welcome to TFTM. Thanks so much for taking the time to stop and check it out. Hope you’ll read some other posts, and tell me what you think. Your time is much appreciated.
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I will 🙂 Would LOve to read your posts 🙂
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Feel free to peruse the archives, or just scroll down! Thanks for taking the time; much appreciated! 😉
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🙂 🙂
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Really sad. I read both stories – you do have the start of something good here.
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Thanks Mike. I don’t want it to be sad, but hopeful… I’ll have to figure that out in future editions. 😉 Thanks for taking the time; much appreciated!
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It is hopeful. My sad feeling came from identifying with the living partner, in the line: “She imagined his grief, and felt a pang, wishing she’d kissed him one last time.”
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Oh yes, that I agree is sad. I think we can all relate to that regret.
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Nicely done. A sweet, sad story.
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Thanks Erin. It’s interesting to see how others read it, or what they take away. For me, it’s a hopeful story… that love endures. Now that I’ve done part 1 and 2, I may have to continue this. 😉
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I thought this was as romantic as it was tragic, for love and tragedy so often go hand in hand. And I loved the photo because it brought back many memories of my own, having ridden so many times on ferry boats that look just like this one in the photo. Your story vignettes are always a delight. They leave me anticipating more, and what greater compliment is there to a writer? – Mike
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I am duly complimented, sir! I see it as a romance and a tragedy as well, and I’m so glad you had the same vision. Thanks for taking the time!
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What a wonderful sequel – yes it really gives a little hope.
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Thank Björn. I think there is definitely hope for Marjorie… it just takes some time.
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Wonderfully told, Dawn. It has a sadness but also a romantic quality and sense of hope. So much to capture in a short space.
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Thanks, Amy. I think this story will continue… 😉
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It’s nice that you continued that other story. Will there be others after this as well?
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I feel somewhat attached to the character and the story line… I imagine it will continue, depending on the prompts.
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A lovely, bitter-sweet tale.
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Thanks, Steve. I appreciate your time and feedback.
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What a soft and sensitive tale-loved it:-)
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Thanks so much!
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🙂
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