© Loretta Notto
“All the firewood she’ll need for next winter.”
Gerald had been laboring for weeks to make sure the house was ready and that she would be taken care of.
Most folks would say that having the winter firewood cut in May was a little premature, but he knew he was already out of time. The cancer in him was spreading fast and his doctor told him he wouldn’t last much longer.
She’d have to learn to live without him. After over sixty years together, that would be hard. He wasn’t an emotional man, but the thought of her having to go it alone made him tear up some.
Gerald turned to put the ax back in the shed only to discover he wasn’t holding it.
“Now where did that damn thing go?”
He looked again and he wasn’t at home anymore.
“Gerald, have you forgotten again?”
“Who are you?” This wasn’t home. In fact, Gerald wasn’t sure where he was.
“She will be fine, Gerald. I told you I’d take care of her.”
“Yes, Lord.”
Written for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers hosted by Priceless Joy. The idea is to write a piece of flash fiction between 100 and 175 words long with 150 being the ideal. Mine is 175 words exactly.
To read more stories based on the photo prompt above, go to InLinkz.com.
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Read twice to understand & liked it a lot…
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Thank you.
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Brilliant!
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Thanks, Bryan.
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I see … “I’ll get that firewood chopped and stacked if it’s the last thing I do …”, and so it was.
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There’s always one last thing, PL.
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The lord called him – that is such a finial twist at end. You managed that so well , that I was half expecting two differing endings.
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I was toying with different endings myself, Michael.
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So heart touching!! He died while cutting firewood for his wife for after he was gone. The cancer killed him. This is really a lovely and touching story James!
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Thank you.
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Touching story. Always it is those left behind, especially after a lifetime together, that it is hardest on. His concern for her felt genuine and real.
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Thanks, Iain. Oh, don’t forget to read my own A to Z challenge. I’ve published the first two letters already.
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Good stuff, I will check it out 🙂
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Great story!
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Thanks, Rosemary.
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Took me a second read, but I loved it. It was really the last thing he did. I hope his wife will be alright too.
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Well, the Lord said He’d take care of her so I guess we’ll just have to trust that, Chris.
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This reminded me of so many. I could see a man wanting to split that wood and having someone do it for him. A man who was always there to do chores and now he cannot. My FIL was this man. And your dad may have been, too. Heart wrenching and beautiful. 💜Bless you.
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Thank you, Kris.
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this is a lovely story to be shared with someone who will experience loss soon, for both parties to know truly that each will be taken care of by a higher power than us. I am very touched by the story, seeing this happen in my line of work, its a very comforting tale. You out everything into perspective.
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My Dad died recently and I want to make sure my Mom will be taken care of.
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I am sorry to hear that. and that is a lovely wish for your mother.
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Thank you.
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Brilliant and Poignant.
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Thanks.
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This was great. So hard to trust, but so awesome to know we can.
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Indeed, Russell. Thanks.
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Beautiful story filled with so much love and heartfelt emotion! Great take on the prompt 🙂
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Thanks, Kay.
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What a beautiful yet heart-wrenching story. Even till his last days, he cared so much about her.
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Yes, he did very much. Thank you.
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