I’m back to Friday Fictioneers! I’ve missed it! Thank you to Rochelle, as always.
PS I am still on vacation for another couple of days and will be back in totality (or whatever) on Sunday or Monday. Thanks for sticking around.
Holes
The war damaged Uncle Randolph.
The first morning he returned to the family farm he started digging holes.
Grandma Higgins said, “The war made him a dog.”
Grandpa Higgins said, “He’s digging to China.”
Uncle Pierce said, “He’s looking for treasure.”
We all agreed that was the best answer, and so we took turns planting treasure boxes in the earth. When he opened the box I planted, his knees fell to the dirt, and he began to cry.
I crept close. “Uncle Randolph?”
His finger traced the profile of a pretty redhead in a prom dress. “Should’ve gone to Canada.”
end
6/1/2018 Sascha Darlington
Categories: Flash Fiction, FRIDAY FICTIONEERS
I like the subtety and depth of this
Thank you, Neil. As always, very much appreciated! 🙂
Dear Sascha,
Glad to see you back. With one word you’ve told us what war. Subtly well written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you, Rochelle. I, as always, appreciate your reading! 🙂
This was beautifully and gently written and left me wanting to know more about Uncle Randolph.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Thank you Susan. I’m thinking we may revisit this family further down the line.
I had a different take on this. I thought it was humorous and hopeful. If Uncle Randolph has the wherewithal to know he should’ve gone to Canada (Go Canucks!) then he’s still among us and may eventually get out of HIS hole.
Yes, I don’t think he’s entirely gone. Remorseful certainly, especially for a life that was taken from him and maybe given to someone else.
Beautifully done, Sascha. That pretty girl in the picture might have changed his life… then of course, the narrator might not have been born.
Thanks, Dale. The what-ifs always exist, but may be worse when control is taken away. Appreciate your reading!
So true.
I was left wanting to know more about him too and the pretty girl in the picture, and if the child’s gentleness touched him and brought him back.
Thanks, Phyllis. I actually loved the family that erupted in this story and may revisit. 🙂
Absolutely! If you write it, they will come, smirk smirk, but seriously, very interesting.
I interpret this as him saying he should have become a “draft dodger”. I am currently writing an extended story involving a boy who ends up in London but from my research I have found most went to Canada. Excellent story, very subtle.
Canada was closer–just over the border. 😉
Thanks, Jilly. Yes, most went to Canada because it was closer and easier although I’ve found that many went to places where they had extended family.
mthinks, uncle randolph needs help now before he finds himself in an even-deeper hole.
Probably so. Thank you for reading! 🙂
Being of age during the draft and Vietnam, this was very bittersweet. Well written…
Thank you, Donna. 🙂
Wow! This is sad, dear, and informative. Beautifully done.
I love Uncle Randolph, and I agree with grandma. This makes perfect sense. Woof.
Thank you, Steve. 🙂 Woof backatcha 😉