A short story …

Keith's Ramblings

for Friday Fictioneers.

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I leave tomorrow. My few possessions, thrown in a box.

Tom Waits’ raspy voice echoes round the empty room. We loved listening to him together.  Now, slouched in a corner, I listen alone. You? Just a picture in a frame, on the floor.

I’m gonna love you till the wheels come off he growls as I fall asleep.

It’s dawn. Your picture’s bathed in the sun’s golden glow. The needle click-click-clicks as the disc goes round and round. I lift the arm and place it back to the beginning.

I love you baby and I always will, ever since I put your picture in a frame.

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Thanks to Rochelle for hosting and Rowena Curtin for the picture.

Click on poor Froggie to see what others have made of this unusual photo!

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63 thoughts on “A short story …”

  1. neilmacdon Sep 30, 2020 / 16:17

    That;s the thing about photographs. They capture your soul and squash it flat and black and white

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  2. Rowena Sep 30, 2020 / 17:41

    It’s terrible when a relationship has gone sour and all that’s left is a photo in a frame.
    After my grandmother had had a series of mini strokes and it was the beginning of the end, I undled a number of unidentified family photos up and took them down to the hospital to show her. A woman appeared in a few of them so I thought she was well worth putting a name to. Well, she turned out to be my grandmother’s brother’s old flame, and I couldn’t help feeling she’d been a waste of time. However, there you go. Once upon a time, she was special…
    Best wishes,
    Rowena

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings Oct 1, 2020 / 14:32

      Thanks for sharing that with us Rowena. I believe most people possess something that’s special, be it small or otherwise. It sometimes takes a photo to remind us.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • Rowena Oct 2, 2020 / 05:40

        That’s very true, Keith. I love zooming into small things with my photography. Your comment also reminded me of going walking with my son when he was very small. He kept stopping to pick things up as he walked. You know the kind of stuff…a bottle top, a non-descript rock or bit of gravel. I’d sometimes be trying to get somewhere, and it could be frustrating and I wrote a poem about me going too fast for him and hi going too slow for me and and it was quite touching. However, in my usual way, I became too perfectionistic about it. Will have to dig it up now and revisit it.
        Hope you have a great week.
        Best wishes,
        Rowena

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Dora Sep 30, 2020 / 19:43

    Keith, I don’t get the feeling he’ll ever get over this unknown companion, more than “just a picture in a frame,” even as he moves on. Sadly nostalgic.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. rochellewisoff Sep 30, 2020 / 19:50

    Dear Keith,

    It’s sad when a relationship dwindles away to nothing more. Well written. Thank you for the Tom Waits bonus. 😀

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings Oct 1, 2020 / 14:40

      Actually you are right! I usually write comical pieces simply because they are far and few between most weeks and I like to be different! Cheers Iain.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. Michael Humphris Sep 30, 2020 / 21:23

    Great to listen to Tom Waits, and great to read your offering this week.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings Oct 1, 2020 / 14:44

      Fortunately I wasn’t writing from experience, but you are so right. Thanks Mimi.

      Like

      Reply
  10. msjadeli Oct 1, 2020 / 05:13

    There are some people you will never forget. An ache you can only allow yourself to indulge in from time to time. That’s what the pictures are for. I keep mine also. A tear-jerking story, Keith. {{{HUGS}}}

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  11. Tannille Oct 1, 2020 / 07:10

    Photos are weird, they can envoke happiness or sadness, sometimes at the same time. The music might not be helping.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. hilarymb Oct 1, 2020 / 09:17

    Hi Keith – I’m afraid to say I’d never heard of Tom Waits – but loved that clip and now I’ll pay attention when his music pops up. Your story line matches Tom’s desire to safeguard his life and family …. really interesting post – thank you! All the best – Hilary

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
      • hilarymb Oct 1, 2020 / 15:00

        Thanks … I enjoyed that … now it’s moved on to Van Morrison … ‘search my soul’ … better get on … before it rains. Take care – yes throat in lump crooners .. with wonderful lyrics … cheers HIlary

        Liked by 1 person

  14. Sandra Oct 1, 2020 / 10:51

    The hardest thing for me to do when clearing stuff out is to throw away a photo. I feel sorry for whoever clears out after I’ve gone… 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. ceayr Oct 1, 2020 / 12:49

    Great piece, Keith.
    And great singer with great song, obviously

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  16. granonine Oct 1, 2020 / 16:23

    Aw, Keith, what a sad story. Reminds me of what I hard time I had throwing out pics of a boyfriend I thought I would Marry. Glad I didn’t, but still. . .

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings Oct 1, 2020 / 17:07

      I still got a few pictures of girlfriends from the past. They’ll go one day I expect, but not yet. Thanks Linda

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. Laurie Bell Oct 1, 2020 / 22:32

    Oh this is glorious. Sad, emotional and well written. The record player clicking, the sun and the photograph. Nicely done Keith.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  19. subroto Oct 2, 2020 / 03:17

    A sad and poignant tale. And thanks for introduction to Tom Waits, can’t believe I’ve not heard him before.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings Oct 2, 2020 / 10:06

      He certainly is very different, and his lyrics are pure poetry . As I mentioned to Hilary, Tom Traubert’s Blues is perhaps his finest work and well worth a listen.

      Like

      Reply
  20. Bill Oct 2, 2020 / 07:57

    Such endings. One of my favorite questions to ask is, “what is the best hoped for outcome of any relationship?” Oh, the looks I get. Well done, Keith.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  22. Inside the Mind of Isadora Oct 2, 2020 / 18:44

    Photos have powers we can’t seem to find a reason why.
    The ones of past loves are the most painful to discard. I don’t
    think the photo will ever be tossed away by your protagonist.
    Good start to a great tale … Be well … Be Safe
    Isadora 😎

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  23. Sue Oct 2, 2020 / 22:27

    A touching and sad story, Keith. So many memories in that picture frame.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  25. Brenda's Thoughts Oct 3, 2020 / 04:40

    Photos of those we’ve lost can be painful but help in the grieving process or in letting go. Then, the good memories are inspired by those same photos. A sad story well written, Keith!

    Liked by 1 person

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