Photo Copyright: Jean L Hays
Here we are another week. This time, we’ve gathered in a virtual city cafe. Our hostess this week, and every week, for this gathering is the gracious and talented artist and author, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. We’re the Friday Fictioneers, and our challenge this week, and every week is to each write an original story with no more than 100 words. It’s supposed to have a beginning, middle, end, and follow the picture prompt provided for the week. This week’s prompt was provided by Jean L. Hays. Thanks, Jean.
Since Rochelle is still on vacation, this is a repeat picture prompt. I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year 2016.
To read the other stories from group members, first click on the link given below, then on the little blue frog in the blue box. The link for the other stories this week is as follows:
https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2015/12/30/1-january-2016/
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100 Words
STOPPING AT THE CAFE By P.S. Joshi
It hasn’t changed much, this aging cafe. There are still two entrances: one from the lobby below the exit of the Chicago “L”; one from the street.
It gets arctic here so there are sheltered exits and entrances. Coming into the cozy cafe is a treat before heading out into the buffeting wind, chilling despite a thick, head-to-foot, layered wrap.
I remember this as the place we first met. It transformed my life. I’d been a self-centered student, caring little for others.
I’ve just come from your funeral my beloved husband and can’t yet go to an empty house.
Musings on Life & Experience 
Dear Suzanne,
Having spent Christmas in Chicago I related to much of this. The ending left me with an ache. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle. I’m sorry if the story made you sad, but I hope you liked it. I spent time with my daughter some years ago in Chicago. We had coffee in a shop like that. She rode a lot on the “L”. She’s recently moved to Brooklyn. Happy New Year to you and yours. 🙂 — Suzanne
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A beautifully crafted word picture.
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Thanks, Yarnspinnerr. I’m so pleased you liked the story. Happy New Year to you and yours. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Happy New Year, Suzzane. 🙂
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What a sad ending. It sounds like they had some happy years together, though.
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Thanks, Ali. It was a sad ending, but they had many happy years together. Happy New Year to you and yours. 🙂 — Suzanne
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What a sad tale.But at least she still has the cafe.
Rosey Pinkerton’s blog
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Thanks, Rosey. Yes, she had a happy marriage and has her memories including this cafe. I’m pleased you liked the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I enjoyed this short story. Thanks for sharing it and happy new year! 🙂
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Thanks, Tunisia. I’m so pleased you liked the story. Happy New Year also to you and yours! 🙂 — Suzanne
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Lovely but sad story Suzanne, nicely told.
Happy New Year!
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Thanks, Dee. I’m so pleased you liked the story. Happy New Year also to you and yours. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks, Thumbup. Happy New Year also to you and yours. 🙂 — Suzanne
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🙂
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I feel for her.
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Thanks, Dawn. I know. This was a story, but it does happen to people. — Suzanne
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Those are my favorite kinds of stories!
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🙂
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I know her pain all too well.
Happy New Year, Patricia!
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Thanks, Dale. My husband is still living at 85, but I’ve lost others, my parents for instance, and I know it’s hard. My husband broke his hip about a year and a half ago and has to have a caregiver 24/7.Happy New Year to you also, Dale. —- Suzanne
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The ending made me shiver, feeling the combined cold from the weather and then the sadness of her loss. Well written!
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Thanks, Joy. I’m of two minds. I’m glad people liked the story and thought it was done well, but I dislike making people feel sad on New Year’s. Have a great New Year. — Suzanne
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Oooh, this was so warm and cozy and then so sad. Beautifully and poignantly written.
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Thanks, Diana. Thank you for the praise for my story. I’m so pleased you liked it. — Suzanne
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At least she found some comfort there. A poignant tale indeed.
Visit Keith’s Ramblings!
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Thanks, Keith. Yes, she did find some comfort. I’m so glad you liked the story. — Suzanne
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Lovely, I shed a few tears over this. One of your best in my opinion.
Happy New Year Patricia.
Tracey
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Thanks, Tracy. I’m sorry if it made you cry, but am glad you liked it. Happy New Year also to you and yours. 🙂 — Suzanne
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the ending left me with a lump in my throat. i didn’t expect it.
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Thanks, Plaridel. It seems I was successful in making it sad. I might have overdone the twist at the end. I hope you liked it anyway. Have a Happy New Year. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Oh, that was unexpected. Well done, Suzanne. I was right there. Wishing you a perfect new year. Hugs
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Thanks, Teagan. I’m so pleased you liked the story and felt you were there. Have a Happy New Year and Hugs to you also. 🙂 — Suzanne
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A lovely sad tale. So great that she still could go to the old cafe…
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Thanks, Bjorn. I’m so pleased you liked the story. Yes, at least she can go to the cafe and remember in peace. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Cafes are great refuges and chapels for all sorts of reasons. Nicely portrayed.
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Thanks, Patrick. That’s true. Some writers go there to work. I’m so pleased you liked the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Very touching and well written, Suzanne. I’ve often thought how difficult it must be going back to an empty house after losing your spouse. My mother spent a few days with each of her brothers before returning home, but I know that first 24 hours had to be filled with tears.
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Thanks, Russell. I’m so pleased you liked the story. Thank goodness I’ve never experienced going back alone after someone died. It was hard enough going through my dad’s things after he died. It felt odd going through his dresser which I would have never done while he was alive. —- Suzanne
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Such a sad twist at the end, but really, a perfect little story. Her sentiments ring true, and the cafe is solace for her.
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Thanks, Margaret. I’m so pleased you liked the story. One thing that helped me with the setting was the fact I went with my daughter to a cafe like that in Chicago some years ago when I was visiting her. Thanks for the praise. I really appreciate it. 🙂 — Suzanne
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A good, though sad story. I love those old cafes.
Lily
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Thanks, Lily. I’m so glad you liked the story even though it had a sad ending. The cafe I wrote about is a real one in Chicago. I was visiting my daughter there some years ago and we had coffee there after getting off the Chicago “L”. 🙂 — Suzanne
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That is so sad. How beautiful to go back to the place they met. It is hard to go back to an empty house.
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Thank goodness I’ve never had to, but a good friend of mine had to go on living in the large house where her mother was ill for a long time. She was scared to be alone there at night after her mother died. She finally married, sold the house, and moved to another city with her husband. —- Suzanne
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I’m glad I haven’t been through that either. I too have a friend who is struggling with being in the house after her husband’s death and in the year has probably only stayed in it 2 months. I dread the day it happens for me.
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We have a flat here in India. If my husband dies, I’ll move back to the U.S. I’m not looking forward to selling this flat and moving again, though. If I can, I’ll keep his caregiver on for a while so I won’t be alone. She helps me also.
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