Someone had moved Joyce’s chair so it no longer sat square-on to the television. “Probably that Polish cleaner with the unpronounceable name,” she muttered. “Always nudging the furniture with her vacuum.” Joyce let go of the zimmer frame and lowered herself carefully down. “My grandfather invented the vacuum cleaner,” Joyce said loudly to no one in particular.
“Shh, I’m watching this,” said William from the chair next door.
The television showed a continuous flow of traffic at night, obscured by a lily in a pot.
“My mother was the most wonderful gardener,” Joyce said, her eyes welling.
“Shh,” said William.
***
This piece of writing is part of the Friday Fictioneers writing group. Each week writers from around the world attempt to write 100 words (or so) starting with a picture, this week from Lora Mitchell.
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, with the group hosted by Rochelle Wishoff-Fields.
She is having a moment of memory, but he is only concerned with the entertainment before him.
Exactly. Thanks for reading and commenting Joe.
Claire
Claire, this little slice of life seems so casual yet so true and poignant. It’s quietly lovely.
janet
Thanks Janet. Glad you enjoyed it.
Claire
Such interesting characters already! I feel like I’m beginning a journey with them. Will there be more from them?
I haven’t planned it. Too busy finishing my novel, but perhaps I’ll come back to them. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Claire
A very touching story. I got caught wondering what a “zimmer frame” is?
Denmother
Perhaps it’s an English brand name. It’s a walking frame for the elderly. Claire
I love the character of Joyce – you take me right into the care home and alongside the grumblies who live there.
Let’s hope it’s not like that for us. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Claire
Wonderful! You captured the atmosphere perfectly – one person wanting to engage and the other in a world of his own.
I think conversations often go like that – two people with different agendas, it’s just in the elderly it’s more pronounced. Thanks for reading and commenting Sandra.
Claire
It seems this lily invoked empathy for the elderly in more than one fictioneer. I’ll take that over Zombies and Vampires any day!
I guess lilies seem like an old person’s flower. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Claire
I agree with lingeringvisions. Well done. This reminds me of my dad who was in a home for the elderly. All he wanted was to get out of there. Well, finally he did.
Oh, I guess you don’t mean that he came home… They can be truly awful places. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Claire
Not a neat aging, but Joyce seems to be the rebellious type that probably can cope in some way or another
Clare,
William seems easily entertained judging from what’s on the TV. Poor Joyce could use someone with conversational skills. But on a positive note at least they both can still hear. You captured the atmosphere perfectly as Sandra said. Nice work.
Tom
Joyce needs to find someone else to talk to. This was a horrible reminder of what some of us have to look forward to. Well done.
Dear Claire,
I actually find this story more horrifying than vampires and zombies. Both are lonely and desolate in different ways. My take is that he escapes in whatever flitters across the screen while she craves denied companionship. In any case, believable dialogue.
Shalom,
Rochelle
The loneliness of your main character is almost palpable. I feel for her. Good job. 🙂
I enjoyed this
I had not noticed the title, but could tell it was a care home 🙂