He was as eager to see her today as he had been the first day they met 47 years ago. He looked up into the parting early morning clouds and was pleased that the heavens approved of his date with his beloved.
“Good morning!” he said cheerfully to the lady at the front gate. He carefully made his way past other visitors and guests excusing himself along the way, following the well-memorized path. “Good morning” he repeated sweetly as he sat down before her. Without hesitation he pulled the small tablecloth from his knapsack and gently laid it out. He poured two cups of coffee and split the roll of still warm bread between his fingers. He carefully and deliberately brought the rose out into view. “And you said I wasn’t romantic.” he chuckled softly. His time with her was limited not by the hands of a clock but by the claws of an illness that would soon claim his life. He made the decision not to dampen the beauty of that time with shadows and grief, but to only share fond memories and light, to spend the remainder of his life in her company as content and as peaceful as he could.
Hours passed and it was time to reluctantly cap the thermos and fold the tablecloth away. He contemplated the rose for a moment and without raising his tearful gaze he said, “I’ll bring you another next week.”
He leaned over and gently kissed the smooth granite.
*This was my entry for the "250 Word Micro Fiction Challenge 2020" sponsored by NYC Midnight. 5,400+ writers participated in 120 groups with approximately 45 writers per group. We had only 24hrs to write a complete story within an assigned genre which also needed to incorporate an assigned action and word. For my group it was romance, looking at a cloud, and decision. My "Rose" story was selected amongst the top 10 of my group to continue to round 2.
For my round 2 entry, please read "Missing" found on my blog list.
This short story was based on my parents.
Thank you kindly for taking the time to indulge my writing.
Comments