Even after fourteen years she still set two places at the table. The ritual brought her comfort – the mats with the holly borders, the Christmas candles, the crackers – still plenty left from last year.
“Not yet Stanley,” she said chiding the old tabby and shooing him to the floor.
She poured two sherries, placed them on the table and sat down, her bones creaking. With some effort, the cat jumped up to the empty place opposite, sniffed at the glass and backed away, nose twitching.
“It used to be your favourite,” she said. “Cheers Stan,” she lifted her glass and chinked it against the other.
***
This piece of writing was inspired by the picture prompt provided by Scott Vannatter for the Friday Fictioneers writing group run by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. We all attempt to write 100 words (or so); this week I’m slightly over.
I’d love to receive comments and constructive criticism. Click here to read other people’s stories inspired by this picture or to join in.
Dear Claire,
A poignant story which belies more than one layer. Nice job. Thanks for your kind comment on mine.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle. Some other readers seemed a bit confused about the layers so now I’m wondering that I was too subtle.
Dear Claire,
Personally I didn’t think you were too subtle. I saw a slightly eccentric lady who knew on one level she was celebrating with an aging cat. But in her loneliness she imagines her deceased husband.
Tender and insightful.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Dear Claire,
I thought this story was wonderful. Sad, sweet, poignant and much, much more. Sounds as though she’d better get a kitten or two, though.
Aloha,
Doug
Thanks Doug, really glad you enjoyed it.
great story! very sad… touching… and at the same time oddly sweet.. for someone to still remember a loved one that has passed and keep the traditions..
Thanks kz, glad you enjoyed it.
Maybe I’m reading too much into this, but “It used to be your favorite…” Did her beloved somehow turn into a cat? Apart from that intriguing thought, this was sweetly and beautifully written.
I’m not sure that he actually turned into a cat, but I was imagining that she thinks so. Thanks for your comments.
Lovely! I, too, wondered about a relationship between the cat and the dead husband. If nothing else, the cat must have been named after him.
(Just to be my picky grammar nazi self, you could use a comma right here: “Not yet, Stanley,”) Hope you don’t mind. 🙂
Thanks for the grammar comment – it’s not my strong point – so any help is welcome. As for the cat and the dead husband, they could be one and the same…
Sweet, poignant and sentimental. I didn’t get that line “It used to be your favorite” either. Regardless, I’m sure Stanley is a huge comfort to her. Lovely piece.
Thanks Lora. I think that the old lady thinks that Stanley is her dead husband, or certainly likes to believe it. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Sweet story, my bones were creaking along with her’s and Stanly’s. Nice to keep traditions.
p.s… I didn’t get any supernatural.
Yes,a taste there of both the tragic and sweet. Nice story.
Lovely piece of writing Claire x
Thanks Karen. Happy Christmas to you and Joe and all the kids x
A sweet sad story just the way I like them. Nice work.
Tom
Thanks Tom. Not too cute though I hope.
Really poignant Claire, I didn’t get it the first time but then I understood on re-reading. Well done.
Thanks Sandra. Glad you enjoyed it.
Glad I posted mine before I read this as we’re on a similar track. I think your’s is more poignant, where mine is more of a mystery/twisty thing. Very good, enjoyed it.
I really liked yours. Mine might have been lost on some readers.
Beautiful, sad, poignant. So many descriptive words here. It’s a lovely piece, Claire. I really enjoyed the eccentric old cat lady. I’m sorry she’s missing Stan.
Thanks Debra. Glad you liked her.
A very warm and sweet story and so glad the little friend kept loneliness away. Purrfect! 🙂
Thanks for reading and for the comment.
Always nice to think they might still be with us in some way. Loved the story.
Thanks Anne. Yes, it’s ok to get comfort any way you can.
Such a sad and touching scene. Still, I understand why someone would do that. Very beautiful.
Thanks David.
HI Claire,
My interpretation was that this was a reincarnation story, and the cat represented a way for her husband to return and for them to still be together. Nice descriptions and very thought provoking. Ron
Thanks Ron. That was exactly how I saw it too.
What a nice sentimental story. And having a cat as Stan-d-in is not the worst.
But he really shouldn’t Stan-ding on the table
that is a moving piece of work. well done.
Thanks for reading it
Wonderful story. I loved it.
I’m pleased you enjoyed it. Thanks for your comments
That was a good read. Enjoyed Stanley; cats are the craziest peoples…
Cats can be all sorts of things and people…
Thank-you, Claire. Very nice.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for visiting
Sad…sweet with a poignant undertone…very well done
Thanks very much