Derek

Keith's Ramblings

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I admit it, I’d had too much to drink. On the way home, I sat on a bench. The next thing I remembered was waking up in the middle of the night. My cap was on the ground, and inside were some coins! I did the decent thing and popped them into the first charity tin I found.

Speaking of incorrect assumptions, my friend Rosey bought a white broom handle from a hardware shop and couldn’t understand why people kept moving out of her way; someone even helped her across the road!

Years ago, Derek, a homeless chap, would spend the night sleeping in the doorway of that hardware shop. Often, the owner had to ask him to move when he arrived to open up.

One day, he gave Derek a job. He even let him use the upstairs flat. Years later, when he retired, he asked Derek to manage the shop. When he passed on, Derek inherited it.

Over the years, Derek’s eyesight deteriorated and eventually failed. He still runs the shop, albeit with an assistant. Ask him for the smallest thing, a bolt or a hook, and he knows exactly where to find it!

He loves singing. He’s no Andrea Bocelli but regularly entertains us at the Red Lion on karaoke night. In his younger days, he’d worked there, behind the bar. Sadly, alcohol got the better of him. He lost his job and his home.

That’s when he began sleeping in the doorway of the hardware shop.

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whited

Photo : © Ayr/Gray

Word count 250

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Thanks to  her, Jenne Gray, and to him, C.E.Ayr for graciously hosting The Unicorn Challenge

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30 thoughts on “Derek”

  1. ceayr's avatar ceayr Nov 25, 2023 / 11:31

    Started with a touch of whimsy, then drew us expertly into the meat of your tale about life, its pitfalls and the possibility of redemption.
    Terrific piece, Keith

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  3. Sadje's avatar Sadje Nov 25, 2023 / 13:21

    A very touching story Keith. A little kindness goes a long way

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. jenne49's avatar jenne49 Nov 25, 2023 / 14:27

    You lured me right in there, Keith, especially with the mention of Rosey, who always brings a smile.
    But the actual story hits hard. I’m glad Derek found kindness and a way back from where he ended up.
    A thought-provoking story.

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  6. Sunra Rainz's avatar Sunra Rainz Nov 25, 2023 / 15:33

    I love all the conversational details in your story, Keith. You always tell it well 🙂

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  8. Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶's avatar The Sicilian Storyteller Nov 25, 2023 / 20:12

    A very fine piece, Keith. You very quickly turned the tables on me and I found myself wondering if Derek was going to be ok. The twists and turns of this mortal coil, eh?

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. clark's avatar clark Nov 26, 2023 / 16:16

    An engaging story with an ending that makes the Reader glad they read it.
    Surely what we all strive towards, ‘pen’ in hand, is it not?
    Well done

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  13. Margaret's avatar Margaret Nov 27, 2023 / 03:51

    You take us on an engaging leisurely stroll through the lives of your characters here. I like how you tie them all in together with little details – the hardware store, the white broom handle, the bar, the bench. Beautifully done. And I’m cheering for Derek.

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  14. Natasha's avatar Natasha Nov 28, 2023 / 07:31

    Poignant. I love Rosey’s little cameo here. Have missed her, sigh!

    Happy festivities, my friend. It’s almost December!

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