VERA’S VASE
When Great-aunt Vera had
her stroke we raced to see her.
Propped up in bed, impossibly small, she
gripped my hand. “I’ll be dead by Sunday.”
I choked on a sob but she
shushed me.
“I’ve left you everything
on one condition – you must smash that vase.” She patted my cheek. “It was
always there when I visited but I know you loathe it.”
We laughed and promised.
After her funeral we positioned
the camera against the night sky, drank champagne from Vera’s vase and then dropped
it.
Shards exploded with light
and in death the vase was beautiful.
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That was another piece of Flash Fiction for Friday Fictioneers prompted by a photograph on this blog - https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/ Follow the Blue Frog trail on her blog to read more stories.
Fantastic story, Lizy! I love your use of words. This story really touched me. I hope you are well. All the best.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nicola. I'll be fine once the antibiotics kick in!
DeleteA lovely way to say good-bye. Really nice story.
ReplyDeleteI've been to several wakes that were definitely more like parties!
DeleteDear Lizy, Great story and mystical too! Thanks for the magic! Nan :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Nan, and for popping in so regularly too.
DeleteI loved this one too. I wondered where you were going when I first saw the picture, but you turned it into a beautiful story.
ReplyDeleteIt's odd where the mnd takes us - or mine, anyway!
DeleteExcellent. I love where your mind went.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan - I'm surprised where it went!
Deleteit was a nice send off. i guess she'd get a kick out of it.
ReplyDeleteOf course she did.
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteI love where you went with the prompt. I did think there would be a large sum of money in the vase, too. Not so. Just a really sweet story. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Vera left them everything anyway :) Thanks, Rochelle.
DeleteOh I love this.. to some extent a wonderful release from a the burden of a loathsome vase.. a beautiful memore instead.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bjorn - and Great-aunt Vera was sweet enough to give them permission :)
DeleteAn interesting take on the prompt and on death. An enjoyable 100 words.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dawn.
DeleteA lovely ending. Vera would be delighted.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Vera was there watching!
DeleteShe sounds like a wonderful person. Seems she knew that smashing the vase represents death and death is conquered by smashing the vase. Very wise woman.
ReplyDeleteSuch 'home-made' rituals are often the best memorials.
DeleteIf someone would leave me a stack of money, I'd smash every vase they owned if that's what they wanted. :)
ReplyDeleteMe too, even if I did like the vase!
DeleteGreat Aunt Vera sounds like a lovely person.
ReplyDeleteI think so too, Patsy.
Delete