COMMUNITY
Bethany
hurried home from work, head bowed against driving rain. The lift was out of
action again, and she cursed the fact that she lived on the fourth floor.
She faced
another lonely evening in front of the television showing only the usual political
shenanigans, and a yellow storm warning.
She was
dozing when a shout roused her. “The bridge has gone!” followed by frantic
knocking on her door. “We’re flooded out.”
Three families
complete with babies, pets, bedding, treasured photos and their interrupted
dinners filled her fourth floor flat, and over the next twenty-four hours they
became a community.
I am sure similar things have happened all over the world - people who have lived as neighbours for ages are thrown together by disaster and become firm friends.
Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers. and to Na'ama Yehuda for the atmospheric photo which prompted my story and the others which you can find through Rochelle's blog https://rochellewisoff.com/
Nicely done, Lizy.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Helen.
DeleteTrouble does have a way of bringing those stuck in a storm. Draw on life from each other.
ReplyDeleteThis pandemic has proved that.
DeleteShelter from the storm (or flood) - great take on this!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Trish.
DeleteYes, communities are often forged in shared adversity. Good one, Lizy
ReplyDeleteThere were volunteers all over our village during lockdown.
DeleteLove this. How people can come together in adversity. A much-needed reminder.
ReplyDeleteAnne from annehiga.com
Thank you. Anne.
DeleteThat's the way to make a whole new raft of friends.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed, though if you wanted to emulate Bethany you'd have to learn to control the weather first!
DeleteThere are advntages to living on the forth floor as I know only too well, though a flood is something I've not had to endure - yet!
ReplyDeleteI prefer ground floor with a garden, though - touch wood - I am not in danger of being flooded here.
DeleteI love this story, Liz. From discomfort and tragedy comes high rescue. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Bill. Hopefully Bethany will have more friends after this too.
Deletewhat do you know? to beat the blues, it pays to be neighborly. :)
ReplyDeleteI am fortunate to have good neighbours, it's does make all the difference.
DeleteLiz there is such a real feeling to your story. I can see where these kinds of situations will be increasing steadily across the globe as Mother Nature rampages against our folly. Good storytelling on a scary topic. I'm glad the MC welcomed them all in to her home.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jade. I'm sure she also was pleased she'd made them welcome.
DeleteA lovely story of people helping each other when faced with a common threat. What a shame it sometimes takes such situations to bring people together.
ReplyDeleteDramatic situations overcome our natural reticence.
DeleteHow brilliant that she was there for them - I'm sure they will make lifelong friendships. Facing trouble together can form a really strong bond.
ReplyDeleteThat's a perfect outcome.
DeleteThe disaster isn't, but the story is beautiful. A wonderful gathering of neighbours helping each other and becoming (like you said) a community. A lovely way to cure her loneliness as well. Nicely done, Liz!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brenda. There are more floods than there used to be, so this story is becoming reality.
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteI love the way the disaster brought neighbors together and made them a community. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks, Rochelle. This pandemic has had a similar effect in many neighbourhoods too.
DeleteI love the idea of this happening. Such a lovely take on the prompt
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dale. I'm sure it's happened more than once, especially since climate change has brought more floods.
Delete