Looking over the railing, the people below appeared as specks. He stood on the tower for hours. His friends told him to take each day and wake with one thing to look forward to.
“What if there’s nothing to look forward to without you?” he asked the silence.
A hawk soared above the tower and tipped its wing. Beyond the bird of prey, the sky transformed as a canvas painted by the golden light of the setting sun. He wiped tears that trailed down his cheeks. She loved a beautiful sunset.
He whispered, “Okay, dear, I have my one thing.”
~~
“Friday Fictioneers” is a weekly challenge hosted by the lovely Rochelle Wisoff Fields, to write a story using only 100 words in response to a photo prompt. This week’s photo was provided by Jilly Funnell. For nearly a year now, I have enjoyed starting off my weekend by writing a story. If you would like to join in with this encouraging group of writers or read their stories from this week, click HERE.
Thoughts of a Wanderer 
A tender moment, nicely done.
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Thank you, Iain! =)
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Lovely that he’s still connected to his lost love.
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Thanks so much, Liz. For some, it’s important to hold on for a while in the process of healing.
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I’m glad he found something to help him through this difficult time.
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He found something to hang on to. Thank you for commenting! =)
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When you are in the midst of a personal loss, death or otherwise, it’s sometimes hard to find that one thing to hold onto. I’m glad he found his one thing.
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He did find a way forward and that’s important, moving forward. It’s certainly true the journey through grief is a difficult one, the role of family and friends is very important.
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Thank God he didn’t jump, thats where I thought it was going.
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Yes, thankful for that. Grief can push us to the edge, but he found his way back. Thank you for commenting.
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Sentimental and lovely ending to the story. Nice one.
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Thank you so much, I’m glad you enjoyed the story.
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That was so beautiful, and touching.
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I’m happy you enjoyed the story, thank you for your encouraging comment. 🙂
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Excellent story-telling, Brenda. You used the location to build tension throughout the piece – “Will he jump?”. And then you resolve it with the beauty of the natural world. Your story is both poignant and believable – and my eyes are moist…
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Thank you, Penny, for your encouragement on the writing and structure of the story. That means a lot!
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Simply lovely, Brenda. Yes, find that one thing, then the next, and the next…
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Thank you so much, Dale. I’m sorry that you are familiar with this kind of grief. Moving forward is key, through the pain.
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I also felt the discomfort of wondering whether he would jump, and all you had to do to get me there was to place him on a tower and have him ask that question.
Glad the canvas painted by Nature gave him hope.
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The pain of loss causes all sorts of thoughts to cross one’s minds. The key is to not give in to despair, easier said than done, but imperative none-the-less, taking small steps forward. Thank you for commenting.
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Oh and congrats on nearly a year at FF!
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Thank you … it’s been so much fun! =)
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I love the insinuation that she made him promise to find a way to go on. Nicely written.
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I’m so happy you saw that … and he promises her he’ll carry on. Thank you for your comment on the writing.
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Nice touching story. At least he can look at sky at sun set as her memory.
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Thank you, Abhijit. Yes, something to look forward to each day and remember.
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Dear Brenda,
What a heartbreaking, if not hopeful story. Well constructed. Beautiful.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you so much, Rochelle, for your lovely comment on the writing. I wanted it to be sad yet hopeful.
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Sweet, tender story of a life experience we all must face.
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Yes, a shared experience for us all. Thank you for your lovely comment. =)
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I was so afraid for him as I read your story. I’m glad he realised he had that one thing. Excellently told, Brenda.
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Thank you so much, Jilly, for your lovely comment on the writing. He found hope in the end and a way to move forward. Take care! =)
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Delicately constructed, beautifully told.
Lovely piece of writing.
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Thank you so much for your thoughtful and encouraging comment on my writing. It means a great deal! =)
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Well told, I hope he wasn’t going to jump and if he was the realisation of the beauty of the sunset stopped him
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Thank you so much, Michael, for your lovely comment on the writing. He was able to persevere and move forward.
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To share such a moment once again must bring some comfort… and willing to live
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Yes, he gained the comfort and strength to persevere. Thanks so much for commenting.
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Very tender. Beautiful.
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Thank you so much, Lisa! =)
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Such vivid writing… I could see the hawk flying above him, bringing his attention to the golden-red sky. A poignant story, sensitively told.
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Thank you so much for your encouraging comment on the writing. =)
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