The rain has stopped, but the water keeps rising. It’s risen a foot since last night, and it’s predicted it will only get worse.
Grandpa guides his wheelchair to the window overlooking the river. “The Johnsons have gone.”
I squint at the “For Sale” sign hanging from their banister. “Maybe we should too.”
“All my years at sea and this is how God decides I’m to die,” he says, brushing the dust off his collection of nautical navigational instruments.
“God didn’t say you have to stay.”
“Did he say I can go?” he asks, but we both know the answer.
word count: 100
—Nortina
Friday Fictioneers challenges you to write a story in 100 words or less using the provided photo prompt as inspiration. Click the froggy icon to ready other stories and add your own.
Lovely Curses 
Ouuuu, well told, dear, well told indeed! 🙂
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Thank you! 🙂
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the struggle to accept the destiny, no?
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He ought to go but maybe hasn’t the inclination to start again. Maybe he’s had enough. Sad if so
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Something’s definitely holding him back. Maybe he can rediscover the will to survive.
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I hope the granddaughter can give grandpa enough hope for him to want to leave. He could take his nautical instruments with him.
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She seems to have given up too, but maybe they can find a way to inspire one another again.
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Sounds like he wants to go down with his ship.
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Well, as the saying goes, the captain always goes down with his ship…
Thanks for reading! 🙂
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A nicely reflective piece, reminding us that whilst we think we might be masters of our own destiny, that isn’t always the case.
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I think you wrapped that up nicely. 🙂
Thanks for reading!
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Sounds like he wants to stay around his nautical equipment. Wonderful story, Nortina!
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Yep, he’s not quite ready to let them go 🙂
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Difficult situation. I guess he wants the comfort of his house and life around him. But maybe, it is best for him to leave before things get too dangerous. He will always have his memories and it might be harder to help him leave later. Great write.
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Such a true-to-life tale! I’ve known many a man or woman who refused to go when there was a damn good reason to go but didn’t for similar reasons. Great story! 🙂
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You’re so right! It’s very common with older people too. They think that if they survived this (whatever “this” is), they can survive anything!
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Nice story. I like the reflection part of his life. I guess if he was Noah he would have got an email or something.
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Hahaha! Yea, an email, a text, a bolt of lightning…something!
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😀
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He has to have a good reason to leave… yet his reason to stay seems greater alas…
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Yes, he may have accepted his fate…
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Oh I hope he goes, but suspect he won’t.
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I think he’s just an old man reflecting on life and wondering if it’s too late to change. In my opinion, it’s never too late. 🙂
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