For How Long

Fiction: For How Long

03 For How Long s

A river full of memories

For How Long

Lilah’s favorite quote was “Do something today your future self will thank you for.” That’s how she talked Tina into taking kayaking lessons. “Everyone has to be doing something,” Lilah said. “Let’s make it something fun.” But Lilah died unexpectedly, unceremoniously, unmistakably.

This would be Tina’s first time on the water alone. No instructor, no classmates. She picked up the oar. The river was full and not to be fought against. Still, she made headway in her chosen direction. This isn’t how she envisioned it as they laughed at the idea of their newest adventure. But now Tina knew she could do it alone, she would do it alone – for as long as she had to.
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Those Who Remain

a Dead tree (10)s

Although central Texas received flood-level rains late this spring and early summer, some damage from the years of drought cannot be undone.

Those Who Remain

The dead stand as a reminder of better days
It will take some time before they fall
Longer even, until the last piece of bark
Disintegrates into nothingness
We benefit even from their decay
Those of us who remain

 

Wizard in the Wurlitzer

The Friday Fictioneer Challenge: Write a 100-word story based on the photo.

Photo copyright John Nixon

Photo copyright John Nixon

Wizard in the Wurlitzer

Wilbert woke up with a crick in his neck. He tried to rub his neck but found his hands stuck in between some strings.

Oh, no, not again. Where am I this time? Wilbert breathed deeply to calm himself. He opened his eyes. It was too dark to see anything. One thing he knew for sure, he was stuck. Those stupid dreams! Asleep, Wilbert the Wizard cast spells real enough to take effect, but they were always just a little bit off kilter.

He wriggled his legs, banging his knees against the keys. A piano? I’m stuck in a piano?
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To read other Friday Fictioneer stories based on this photo, select the smiley blue frog.

~~~ For a special treat, check out the Friday Fictioneer story, The Last Dance, by Louise Jensen over at Fabricating Fiction. 
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