‘Hello dear’ she would say as she hung her bag and brolly on the hook.
Every day.
My other regulars always waved to her. ‘Hello dears’ she’d shout!
Masie always said that.
She’d study the menu for ages. ‘Whatever you suggest and a nice cup of tea dear’ she’d say.
Every time!
*
I’ll never forget that day. I walked over with her meal. Steak pie it was. She seemed to be asleep.
She never woke up.
It’s not my cafe any more, but her bag and brolly still hang on the hook. I like that.
Masie probably would too.
Thanks to Rochelle for hosting and to Dale Rogerson for the photo of the spooky cafe!
Feed the frog to join in the fun!
They cleared the body though, right?
I’d like to think so! Cheers Neil.
I think this is the dream of most people: to quietly fall asleep in a familiar, comfortable place. Preferably at home in bed, but this is a nice option. 🙂
Now you’ve got me thinking! Thanks Christine
Steak pie without the kidneys? No wonder!
Great story.
Unimaginable! Perhaps she should have ordered liver and bacon!
What a lovely gesture. It’s the little things…
A regular at my local passed away there and his walking stick hangs on the wall – which is how I got the idea for my story. Cheers Iain
I like this piece with a tinge of sadness but peace. Nicely done.
Exactly how I hoped it would come across. Thank you Colline.
Sad but charming Keith.
Thank you so much.
You’re welcome.
I bet Masie would have loved the tribute. A very moving tale, Keith! Well done.
I’m sure she would. Thanks Shweta
The pleasure is all mine. 😄
This is so heartwarming… maybe we all want to end in a place like that.
There are worse places to peg out! Cheers Bjorn.
Dear Keith,
Light, tasteful and ever so poignant. Well told. And oh, that frog! <3
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks so much Rochelle – ribbit ribbit…
A very lovely tribute. Sad but sweet at the same time.
Thank you so much Jo.
Beautifully done. I love the rhythm of the writing here.
Not my usual style but I thought I’d give it a go! Thanks Sascha
I think it’s good to shake it up every once in a while.
Too true!
She sounds like she was a jolly old soul, and she would have enjoyed know how her exit went.
Exactly! Thanks Mimi.
This was a lovely story, Keith.
Who could ask for better?
Thanks so much Dale – and thank you for the photo.
Most welcome.
Your story brought a tear to my eye. Beautiful, Keith.
What a lovely comment, thanks so much.
You are very welcome, Keith.
I love this one. Perfect ending.
That’s very kind of you, thanks Linda.
Awww, I think she would have liked the way she finally went.
I’m sure she would. Thanks so much Anurag.
Great story and enjoyable! Nice and thoughtful ending! Thanks!
Nice of you to say so, thank you Nan.
Hi Keith – I’m sure that sort of thing happens rather more often than not … delightful to read and good to know Maisie went in her happy place! Well told – cheers Hilary
I’m certain it does Hilary. My place? My favourite pub in front of a crackling log fire!
Quite a sad ending, but she’ll always be remembered 🙂
Having based this on something I experienced i can say for certain she will! (Don’t worry, I’m not replying from the grave!)
Quite delightful–not one syllable too many,
I couldn’t have made it longer if I’d tried! Thanks for your lovely comment Jan.
Ah – that’s lovely. Even weird old people should be remembered. I hope I’m not forgotten too soon!
The weirder they are the more likely it becomes! Thanks Liz
i won’t be surprised if her ghost still haunts the place.
I’m pretty sure it does!
You want a place where everybody knows your name. It’s so nice that she made such an impression
Don’t you just! I wonder if we’ll be remembered like that!
hey we may be
Oh wow, I can’t believe you noticed that in the photo! I like the idea of her friendly ghost still inhabiting the cafe and a cup of tea always being put out for her on special occasions 🙂
I’m sure it is! Thanks so much Jade.
A lovely story, Keith with great description. When it was my dad’s time to go he passed at home while laying down for a nap after coming home from the hospital and a small lunch. It was peaceful and he never found out he had to sell the home he loved because he couldn’t drive any longer. It was a comfort to me. 🙂 — Suzanne
If only all passings were so perfect. Thanks for sharing your experience Suzanne.
Aww…. This is so lovely! (Did you feed froggy yet? He looks ready to eat the Internet, and I’d rather not have more holes in the ‘net’ than there are already in it … ;))
So well done, Keith!
I used to frequent a neighborhood cafe (it’s been closed for ages now, since the building was torn down and a tall apartment building complex built above the space), which functioned as ‘neighborhood hangout’, ‘senior citizen’, ‘family meeting point’ and so on. The ‘regulars’ as so regulars, that sometimes if someone didn’t show up for a couple of days, the cafe would send out one of their delivery persons to check in on the customer … just to make sure they were okay. Best places in the world, these places are.
Na’ama
They so are. I know of a couple of places that perfectly fit your description and they are not just special but vital.
If you just heard a loud belch that was Froggie who just finished his lunch – terrible manners, I’m so sorry!
Froggie isn’t known for their table manners, you know. His moods, however … Yep, FAMOUS for those! 😉
Here’s to vital and special places remaining viable. Amen.
This was very touching and beautiful, Keith. I like how there are those permanent fixtures in this regular local cafe but also the transience and her death. It’s even better being based on a true story.
Best wishes,
Rowena
That’s so kind of you Rowena, thank you.
We notice their oddity when they are alive and we miss them terribly when they are gone. Nice, gentle and very true to character story.
So right. Thanks James for your kind words.
Her spirit lives on in the place.
…and will continue to do so. Thanks Tannille.
At least she left this world from a place she liked and waiting for food she loved.
Absolutely. Thanks Abhijit
This is lovely. And what a good reminder that her gentle and friendly nature made a difference and won’t be forgotten. That’s something everyone can do.
If only everyone did! Thanks for dropping by.
She was lucky to have the rare privilege of dying in a place she liked.
So true, thanks Alice.
Part of the furniture eh, makes you wonder if all the artefacts are left from deceased customers, I didn’t spot the skeleton, good stuff as ever.
That would be a bit weird! Thanks so much.
Oh this is sad, but oh so lovely
That’s kind of you. Thanks Laurie.
Lovely story.
Thanks so much Dawn.
Wonderful story! A melancholy blend of tragedy and cheerful memory.
That’s really kind, thank you.
Sad occurence! 🙁
But glad that her memories still remain!
Me too! Thanks so much.