Written as part of Friday Fictioneers, which offers the image as inspiration to write a fiction in 100 words (or less) AND 3 Word Wednesday #436 which offers the words Tedious, Waste and Reflect as inspiration for a post. Photo by G L MacMillan. Word Count: 95.
Empty Bottles
“What a waste of shelf space,” his Aunt Ethel used to say.
But Neil admired the way the light reflected off the bottles, making them glow. It hadn’t felt tedious watching Uncle Robert rearrange them, and he could feel the old man was happy as he did it.
A little away, Neil noticed a small flat marble stone sticking out from the garden lawn.
“For Little Bob,” it said, though his cousin’s grave was far away.
“One empty bottle for every month I’ve been sober,” Uncle Robert sniffed, placing another bottle on the old shelf.
(© 30th July 2015)
Vinay Leo R.
Poetry & writing are to me, a breath of fresh air in a life that is sometimes covered by the smoke of sorrow or self doubt. They also become the sweets I share to celebrate when life offers me a reason to. But most of all, they are to me, my life. For each word I write is a piece of my heart, a thought that just had to find its way into the world.
What a captivating story – very moving and ‘real’
Thanks, Jae.
Sad yet sweet tale.
Thanks, Ansumani.
Seems a strange way to celebrate sobriety, but hey, whatever floats his boat! Great story!
Ah. Yeah. Different people, different ways, I suppose. Thank you, Priceless Joy.
In 4 lines, you weaved an entire story!
Wish I could write like that… excellent work Leo 🙂
You could try. 😛 You don’t try, and then say you wish you could. Try, you silly billy Ilirian.
So sad 🙁
But it was/is brave of Uncle. Better late than never.
Yes. Each bottle would be a milestone, a penance. Thanks, Cookie.
Sad and beautiful ..many lives in a few lines !
Thank you, Kokila. 🙂
Fighting addiction with beauty, but also sadness. Wonderful story.
Glad you liked it, gahlearner.
moving story, beautifully penned
Bubbles
Thanks, Cifar.
Sad. You created such a moving story in such limited words :).
Thank you, Harini.
Sad indeed. Yet a lesson learned.
Absolutely. Thank you, Tulika.
I am happy to see the ending…wish it happens in reality too!
I hope it happens in reality too, Alok. 🙂
Beauty in such few words. weaved so nicely!
Thanks, Parul. 🙂
You are such an amazing story – teller.
Thanks, Amrit. 🙂
Well written !!
Thank you, Jyotsna 🙂
Quite intense and moving. 🙂
Thanks, Sims. 🙂
I can read a lot of lost chances in between the lines. Very well done, says a lot without saying a lot.
Yeah. I had fallen in love with drabble flash fiction back then. 🙂 Have to re-find the touch, Jb.