It’s Friday again (how does that keep happening? Any minute, it’ll be Christmas!) and time for another piece of fiction. A little snippet for you this week, with two characters I feel I would like to work with. The photo is from Doug MacIlroy, the other responses can be found on Rochelle’s website. Do pay both of them a visit – you won’t be disappointed.
Watching the World
Grandpa was always making things. That morning, I arrived to find a papier-mache ball drying in a bucket.
“What’s that? The world in a bucket?”
“You know I can’t tell you,” he smiled, “Or I’d have to kill you!”
I checked facebook while I watched him work. Lois messaged me: “Whatcha doin?”
Mom said Grandpa was “two cakes short of a picnic,” and in town, they called him “Crazy Doug”. I couldn’t tell Lois where I was or how much I enjoyed being there. Instead I looked at the globe wrapped in chicken wire and replied, “Just watching the world.”
elmowrites 
Jen,
What a cute story about loving someone who is different. That girl sounds like a sweetheart. Even if grandpa is a couple french fries short of a happy meal she enjoys her time with him and she wouldn’t say a bad thing about him. She sounds like a future writer to me…
Tom
Thanks Tom, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything bad about Crazy Doug either! Wonder what he’ll think when he stops by.
I think he’ll say you’re a sweetheart….pssst…don’t tell the “Crazy Doug” I sad so.
Loving story of love that sees the heart rather than extraneous things. Your last line was perfect.
I’m so glad you thought that, tea – I like to think she sees something to love in the eccentric old man.
I think eccentricity bothers small children much less than older people because they don’t necessarily see it as eccentricity. They just see the person they love.
A nice gentle piece, Jennifer. Lovely.
Delighted you liked it, Sandra. Love comes in all shapes and sizes and family love seems to be top of mind right now – I wonder why!
I call him Disco Go Doug this week. And I think he’s pretty cool. He’s playing Santa this week. You Gotta Believe!
I’ll stop by and take a look at Disco Go Doug, Russell. He sounds like a dude!
Just watching the world Love it! I’m sure he liked her being there.
Absolutely, I think he did, Ted. In my head, he’s a nice guy with the sort of sense of humour that works better for kids than adults.
Dear Jen,
Delightful story from beginning to end! I had a Lois in my story as well.
shalom,
Rochelle
Oooh, I’m coming to see her! thanks for your kind words, Rochelle
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Oh you are SNEAKY!!! Way to go!!!! Great job!
lol, thanks!
Hi Jen,
Maybe Gramps is crazy like a fox. A sweet inter-generatonal story! Ron
maybe, Ron, maybe
Lovely story, the crazy people of the world carry wisdom. 🙂
true. Well, that or guns. This guy is definitely one of the former.
“Two cakes short of a picnic” I loved that! Great story!
one hammer short of a toolbox? there are so many options
The ending is beautiful. Sums up everything nicely.
thanks, kwadwo. I wanted her to be normal, but also caring.
and nobody can say it’s *not* the world. or at least *a* world. somewhere. well done.
lol, very true, Rich. thanks for stopping by
thanks for creating a place to stop. by. at. to. thing.
Dear Jen,
Crazy Doug? Hmmmm. Crazy about your writing? Put a check in that box. Most youngsters are free of the learned aversion to eccentricity until ‘adults’ in their orbit drag them kicking and screaming into the ‘real’ world. I love that your MC was blissful and content to be and to see. World could all do with more like her.
Aww, thanks, Doug. Obviously any resemblance to persons alive or dead is entirely accidental etc etc. I agree about the young protagonist, she’s a nice girl without the judgemental attitude of the town.
Hi Jen
Loved the tone of this. Also the dilemma of the protagonist still too immature to be strong about her choices to her friends. Thanks.
thanks Nick, I’m glad you enjoyed it
Absolutely charming! See? I’m even later, but you know, it’s like a birthday present the day after the party. 😉
ooh, I love a late present!!
Gentle tone with a bit of family humor. I Enjoyed!
Shenine
Thanks, Shenine, I’m glad you liked it.