As I haven’t had chance to respond to this week’s Friday Fiction picture, I thought I’d share with you a second one from last week. It was actually my first response to the photo and falls firmly into the “inspiration, not illustration” category. I liked it too much not to share it, but I also liked Janine.
I’d love to hear what you think.
The Colonel
“Glad to see you, son. Couldn’t stand another minute of that clap-trap. Stinks being the only one really alive around here. Sharp as sausages, that lot.”
Andy had a soft spot for the Colonel’s grumbling; it made a change from the cheerful repetitions of many of the residents.
“Takes a certain sort of chap to engage with a mind like mine. They haven’t a clue. Might as well be addressing a wall as some of them.”
Andy pushed a cushion further down the old man’s crumbling spine as he walked past. The Colonel carried on his monologue to the rosebush.
elmowrites 
This is a sweet tale, Jennifer.
Thanks for taking the time to visit it off piste, Ted!
Dear Jen,
This one tugs at the heartstrings.
Loved “sharp as sausages”…my dad used to say “sharp as a matzo ball.”
Dementia is crueler than death…particularly to loved ones. Glad I happened by this story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS Nice Bahama pics. I’m jealous.
I know what you mean about dementia, Rochelle. I think the Colonel is in the happy state of not knowing he’s changed, but I’m sure his family would feel the differences keenly.
I’m jealous too, now that I’m home!
Dear Jen,
You are a diamond in the rough. Great story, especially the insight about the crumbling spine. Good description that lets us know a lot with a little.
Aloha,
Doug
Who are you calling rough, Doug?!
Very well done on presenting the colonel as compos mentis only to let us know he’s rambling to a rose. I loved sharp as sausages too.
You know I love a sneaky twist, Sarah. Thanks for dropping by
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