Photo courtesy of The Reclining Gentleman
It isn’t just the house I miss.
The sunflower yellow kitchen. The light streaming through the French windows, warming a spot on the carpet where the cat would sleep. It’s the noises that make up a home. Waking to the sound of crashing waves, the creak of the third stair whenever someone stepped on it, the screech of seagulls as I walked Ella to school, her small hand wrapped in mine. The crunch of shingle underfoot as I strode across the beach on the way home – salt air filling my lungs.
I miss those sounds. I miss you.
Written for Friday Fictioneers – A 100 word story inspired by a photo prompt. Pop along to host Rochelle’s blog and read the other entries.
fabricating fiction 
It always amazes me how much of a story you can tell in such few words. That’s very moving.
Thanks – I thought I’d try something different.
What a perfect encapsulation of sadness. Nice one Louise
Thanks Mick.
Touchingly honest.
Excellent.
Thanks very much.
Poignant. And layered. I like a story where the reader fills in the back-story, and this is one I really like.
Thank you Sandra – much appreciated.
Dear Louise,
I could hear, see and smell this one. Well layered and heartfelt.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle.
Lovely picture. I can see it!
Thanks so much.
A heartfelt portrait of loss!
Thank you for reading.
Romantic and sweet.
Thanks 🙂
A beautifully written piece of yearning!
And what levels of detail! I thought “the creak of the third stair whenever someone stepped on it” was perfect.
Thanks very much.
My pleasure!
Nice atmosphere in this piece. My only thought is that you cover an array of senses i.e. colour, taste, sound etc. So perhaps it’s not just sounds you miss…it’s all the things which made up being home.
And so many things make up a home. Thanks for reading Paul.
A great love letter to someone too far away.
Thanks Patrick.
It’s always so much more alive when we involve more senses than one…
It is. Thanks for reading Bjorn.
Lovely. I am right there with you in this nostalgic (in a very good way) scene. “I walked Ella to school, her small hand wrapped in mine” this line makes me feel the vulnerability of Ella and the protection and love represented in the small hand in mine. Love this image.
A wonderful take on the photo. Thank you for posting.
Thanks so much for your kind comments Lillian. I really appreciate them.
Beautiful depiction of a home and a pleasant life. Makes you want to believe that the reason it’s gone is because of the passage of time only and not any sad event. But there’s a melancholy to the nostalgia even still. Nice job.
I think you’re right Perry. It’s only time that has passed. Thanks for reading.
This is a lovely piece indeed. So many things make up the feeling of home and definitely the senses play the largest part.
They do – thanks Dale.
the memories never leave you
They don’t. Thanks.
Very sad story, leaving us wondering what has happened to cause this loss.
Just the natural passing of time I think.
I love how this touches all the senses and emotions. Even though nothing in life lasts, memories like this prevail. Beautifully written.
Thanks very much.
I could feel her pain and the joys that the sights/sounds and touch brought her once….Nicely done.
Thanks.
A sad story filled with beautiful images. Lovely to read
Thank you Siobhan.
What a wonderful collection of sounds, Louise. I could hear and feel them all. Well done.
Thanks Amy.
A beautifully woven tale full of longing and pain. It is like a motion picture!
Thanks so much!
Beautiful specific careful detail that builds a perfect tiny tale I’m sure a lot of people will relate to.
Lovely!
Thanks very much.
Makes we wonder what happened. What caused her to leave the house and her husband. You set up a great setting for the beginning of a story. 🙂
Thank you Deborah.
it’s just sad that one can be deaf to these sounds.
We get so busy we forget to listen.
Those are beautiful things to miss… each lovelier than the last. Enjoyed this! Have a great weekend!
Thanks so much Lori.
Such a rich story. Beautifully told account of loss and memory.
I don’t know who he is but your lovely words have me missing him too!
Thanks Dawn.
Lovely story, Louise, with great description. It perfectly describes yearning for things in the past. Well done. —- Suzanne
Thanks Suzanne. Much appreciated.
“the creak of the third stair ” Loved your precision of description! It really is a great story on what makes a home a home
Thank you Roger.