Six Sentence Stories – Waiting
The post would be late again today.
There was no way to know this for certain, of course, except for the fact that the post was always late. Susannah’s daddy always said a man could set his pocket watch by the lateness of the stagecoach that brought the mail, if a man had a pocket watch to set, that is; but Susannah’s daddy didn’t have a pocket watch, nor much of anything else and so their family lived a very simple life.
Simple but happy, daddy always said because the one thing they were never short on was love, which is why Susannah knew right away that she would be happy with Thomas and why she said yes when he asked her to be his wife just before he and his brothers walked out of town to fight in the war.
“It’s important enough,” he told her, “to be part of this and to make things right in the world for others before we can make a life that’s right for us but I want to know that you’ll be right here reading my letters and waiting to be my bride when I come walking down this road again.”
Thomas was a man of his word and she could be just as brave as he could, and so she’ll stand on the steps outside the merchantile day after day, with the late afternoon sun warming the back of her head while she watches far down the road, waiting for the letter she has no idea will never come.
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This has been a Six Sentence Story.
Each week, the lovely and talented Ivy Walker hosts a link-up challenging writers to spin a tale in six sentences – no more, no less. Click on the link right here to find out more and link your own post. While you’re there, click on the blue frog button to find more stories from some wonderful storytellers.
This week’s prompt was POST.
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Frist…wow, you really tug at my heartstrings with the wartime heartbreakers! Saddddd.
You’re awake too, eh? 😀 Definitely frist!
I truly don’t know where the wartime inspiration is coming from. An hour ago I had nothing but a first sentence. I’ll just be thankful the muse is active and not question it, I guess.
Skip woke me to go out. Id be up by 2 anyway
I see 2AM more often than not…
Awwwh poor love! I hope her daddy’s still around to give her some comfort on the day she finally realises the truth.
I think he’s the kind who will.
A glimpse into times past, complete with hope and desire, innocence and a statement about the cruelty of war. Success, Lisa.
Awesome. Thanks, Val!
I always like yours best!!!
Aww. Thanks, Paul. Made my day.
Wow. Impressive to build such emotion in only six sentences. Well done!
Thanks, Shari. These are a challenge but fun!
I was picturing an elderly lady standing on those steps whilst reading the last sentence, and Daddy long gone. Strange how readers interpret things differently. Sad story, however interpreted. 🙁
Well done, Lisa. Drew me in. x
You know, Kimmie, that is one of the things I love most about words. There is very seldom one way to interpret. I like writing that leaves multiple possibilities for the reader and I hope that’s what I’ve done. I think it could be a young girl or the old woman. That’s entirely up to the reader.
So if I’ve given more than one impression, I’m calling it a success!
Thanks. 🙂
Definitely a success 🙂
Win!
This happens to many wives and sweethearts and there were a few aunts that this happened to in WW2. What a beautifully written emotive post.
Thank you, Old Egg. Not sure why I went with separation of war again this week. Couldn’t begin to guess. This one I pictured Civil War era – maybe I watched Little House on the Prairie reruns recently! It is sad, regardless of which war or which country, how many loved ones are left behind.
How interesting that you mention Little house… It was LHOTP that came to my mind as I read. I’ve been watching the reruns too. Actually, Littlie and I are addicted. We watch series 1-9 then begin again. Gives us a wind down and an awww hour each evening before her bedtime 🙂
My Daughter can’t decide if she’s into it or not. I’ve watched a few with her in reruns. Maybe if we started from the early ones it would catch her more – the ones running on TV right now are when Laura is just getting married. That is a great show to wind down with – simple, innocent…a different time.
I’m very excited to introduce her to the books.
Yeah, I think for the kids it’s best to begin at the beginning. The earlier ones are my fav anyway. We’ve got the whole lot on DVD. Iv’e always loved Little House, Iv’e lost count of how many times Iv’e watched them all 🙂
So sad, and so well done! Many a girl of those days had her heart so broken, i think.
Yes, I’m sure you’re right. And thank you!
a life (and through it, a world) in Six Sentences, very nicely done. Effective and engaging and a reminder of how much parts of us are out there in the world, separate but very connected.
Thank you, Clark. That’s a great conundrum, really – the parts of us that are out there somewhere separated from us. I might be able to use that idea in my book story. Thanks!
Ohhhh, my heart! Beautiful!
It’s a heart tugger. Thank you.