photo prompt @ Sarah Ann Hall
His presence was everywhere. Picking up a candlestick Blanche remembered that holiday to France fifty years ago. Robert had bought one in every town they stayed. “We’ll remember the night we conceived with one of these” he had laughed when she told him they had bought enough memories. Now she couldn’t have enough memories.
Struggling for breath she moved slowly to the next room. She sat, leaning her head on his desk. “Why did you go?” she yelled as the blotting paper gave her a whiff of his lingering smell. His pill bottle came into focus. “I’m coming love.”
Thank you to our host of Friday Fictioneers Rochelle and Sarah Hall for the prompt photo.
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About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Such a shame. I hope she finds him.
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When writing I was uncertain as to whether the husband was alive or dead. By the end I think I had him as totally dead. I guess finding him depends on whether beliefs are real or not.
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Sad ending – makes one feel for the older couples who have been married for years and then separated by death
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I agree. The comfortable companionship of years – so hard to be without.
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This reads with such authentic sorrow. The depths of long love can lead one to think that death is the only way to find the person again. I don’t agree but I understand.
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I don’t agree either but I too understand and respect those that take that option. Some decide to leave together. Hard to be left alone.
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She can’t live without him. She can only hope there is another place where they’ll meet again.|Nice one.
Click to read my FriFic!
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Thanks Keith. Yes I hope they meet again too.
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Sometimes husbands or wives are everything, life itself.
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True.
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Such grief. Very stark, convincing writing
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Thank you very much.
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Dear Irene,
The grief is tangible in this multi-layered story. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle. I’m glad you could feel it.
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So sad.
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Yes it is. Hard for those that lose loved ones after such a long period together.
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Suspenseful and gripping up to the end – how sad.
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Thank you. It is how life is sadly but you wouldn’t miss it for quids.
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Dreadfully sad story well told.
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It was sad. Thank you Elizabeth.
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Your story emphasizes the loneliness after a life-time partner leaves. It is say, but true, how hard it is to fill the void. I can only imagine, having not experienced it yet. This is a touching story in such few words. Nicely done!!
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Thank you Mike. I haven’t experienced either for which I am very grateful but I watched my mother after my father died. It is a hole that is hard to fill.
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The memories weren’t enough? Poor Blanche.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Too many memories stopping her moving on. Yes poor Blanche.
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I could feel her trying to catch her breathe. A very visual write. Love it …. nice interpretation of the photo prompt.
Isadora 😎
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Thanks Isadora. Glad you could see it.
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Perfect story for this rainy Nov. evening. Thanks Irene.
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Thanks Dawn. We have rain here also but it is morning.
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