Post 1647. Saturday April 7
I’ll never forget that day. My mobile rang. Rosey. I held the phone away from my ear; she always shouts! Only this time she didn’t. I moved it closer and heard sobbing, gentle sobbing.
“Rosey,” I said, “what’s up?”
After a long silence, she whispered “I’m at Grannies beach hut”
“Stay there,” I said. “I’m coming over”.
When I arrived the hut’s door was open, but there was no sign of Rosey. Then I saw her, sitting down at the water’s edge. I walked down.
She stood, turned, then leaped forward flinging her arms around me.
“Grannies gone” she whimpered. “Gone”.
“Gone where?” I asked. Rosey stepped back and stared at me with tear-filled eyes, and I realised I’d asked a foolish question. Grannie had passed away. Her expression changed to one of anger.
“Why?” she yelled. “I saw her yesterday. Why didn’t she tell me? We promised. No secrets, ever” She kicked me in the shin, then trudged back up the beach, shoulders stooped, head bowed.
*
Rosey and Grannie were very close. They’d often meet at the beach hut for a chat about things she couldn’t possibly discuss with her parents! Jan, or Grannie Jannie as Rosey called her, sometimes joined us all at the pub for a pint of Guinness and would tell us funny things Rosey said as a child. Like when Rosey farted and said it was her poo talking! And when Grannie said, ‘I love you Rosey’ and she said ‘I love me too’. That sort of thing.
*
I left Rosey alone for a few moments before joining her. She suddenly turned and smiled. “It’s the horse races tomorrow,” she said.
“Are you sure you want to go?” I asked.
“Yes” she said “Grannie gave me a fiver to put on a horse. It’s called Fond Farewell!”
“There’s no horse called Fond Farewell” I said. Her expression changed, and the tears returned.
“That was her way of telling me, wasn’t it?”
I apologise for breaking my Golden 200 Word Rule! It won’t happen again!
Fear not, Monday the humour will return! H is for Hole
Previous episodes – A B C D E F G H I J K L.M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
On this day last year, I took you for a walk on the village green in Amble Bay. To revisit click HERE
Such a sweet and beautiful story, Keith . Moved by Rosey’s tears. Grannie and Rosey shared such a special bond.
Thank you so much Moon.
Some bonds are forever preserved in the beyond. Beautifully written.
Lakshmi,
http://www.lakshmiramanan.com/fiction/ghosted-for-g-a-z-blogging-challenge/
They certainly are. Thank you Lakshmi
Oh that was such a sweet tale Keith; hugs to Rosey for her Grannie and I hope she does find a horse to bet upon to bid farewell in style!
Guernsey Literary & Potato peel pie society #atozchallenge
I’m sure she will. Thanks very much.
That was a very tender story, Keith…
Thanks so much.
A nice change of pace Keith, Grannie sounds like she was made from the same mould as Rosey. Very enjoyable first week, look forward to more on Monday.
https://iainkellywriting.com/2018/04/07/g-is-for-glasgow-great-britain/
Thanks, Iain. I wasn’t sure how this would be received, but so far so good! Here’s to week 2.
Gran and Rosie shared a lovely bond. I am still smiling at ‘I love me too’. 😀
I’m pleased – I wasn’t sure anyone would notice it! Cheers, Shilpa.
This is such a sweet and beautiful story. Some friendships are really special.
Thank you Balaka. They certainly are.
Very touching! Are you writing a stiry each day, then? An interesting prompt.
I am Sue, always about Rosey. Normally they are funny tales – this one was slightly different.
Loss is always a part of life, not just humor. There’s no need to apologize for including it. Well told!
This is true. Thanks so much.
This ones so very beautifully told amidst Rosey’s fun and humour tales. This tugged the strings of my heart and like how. Thank you.
https://natashamusing.com/2018/04/g-is-for-goblins-gnomes-and-gypsy-spirits-atozchallenge/
Aw, thank you, Natasha. Even Rosey has down days.
Touching and sweet Keith. I think Rosey and her grandmother were precious gifts to each other.
They certainly were. Thanks, so much Deborah
Aw, this is sad. A hug for Rosey.
It is but she has a remarkable way to bounce back as you’ll discover if you drop by Monday!
Ah, Keith! I came here expecting trademark Rosey. There was a strange lump in my throat towards the end. (Nothing to worry! I had it checked :D)
You had me worried for a moment. I’d hate to be responsible for anything untoward happening! Cheers Varad
That was heart rending Keith although still beautifully written. Rosey is so real for me.
Thanks so much for your generous words Kalpanaa, they truly are much appreciated.
Hi Keith – sounds like she should have gone to the races … but such an evocative storyline and so true for so many of us at various times of our lives … or with very near and dear ones – I did enjoy it – cheers Hilary
I’m delighted Hilary, thank you
Awww, Grannie did say goodbye. Sweet and touching, Keith.
Emily In Ecuador | Greenery Delivered to Your Door in Puerto Lopez
She did, in her own way. Thanks Emily
A sweet relationship to have to say farewell to. I love the horse good closer.
Thank you very much.
Aah, so there’s a poignant, moving, sentimental side to our Rosey too. Great change of mood.
There is, and I thought I should show it a couple of times throughout the month.
Grannie and Rosey, very nicely written. That grandma and grandchild bond is wonderful!
Letter G: https://writingiscommunication.wordpress.com/2018/04/07/glitter-the-space-between-bookstore-presented-by-a-to-z-100-word-stories/#comment-1463
She seems to have had everyone in stitches all week with her ditsy ways and slapstick lifestyle so I thought I’d show that she is a little more normal than I’ve portrayed her thus far!
Gently melancholy – love and loss are an irrevocable part of each other.
So they are Nilanjana. Thank you.
Keith,
Oh, what a sad story! It’s so hard to lose those we love. I know this all too often and as recently as a couple of weeks ago when my 95-year-old father-in-law went to heaven. He surprised us all by living four years longer than his wife, the love of his life. Her passing took a major toll on him causing his health to slump drastically. At least there’s no suffering for either of these lovely people who were more like parents to me than in-laws. Thanks for sharing such this story and for your visiting my A2Z contribution, iPad Art Sketches ‘Goofy Faces’ edition. Have a good upcoming week!
Hopefully, they are together again in a better place. Thanks so much for sharing that with me Cathy
This so reminds me of …well, nevermind. Poor Rosey. I’m glad she has a dear friend with a bruised shin 😉 I’m glad she had her grandma. Poignantly sweet, well done!
That’s so kind of you Diedre, thank you.
You manage to inject humour even in a post like this one. That’s so impressive Keith.
“I love me, too.” priceless.
Condolences to Rosey.
I’d like to think that there’s always a smile hiding around the corner, no matter what. Thanks for your generous words
Poor Rosey! BTW, if a post is enjoyable, as this one was, I don’t even notice the number of words.
I’m delighted. Thanks so much for your generous words Sascha
🙂
Such a sweet and beautiful story, Keith. Even the happiest people have to shed a tear occasionally.
So true. Life can’t be jolly all the time.