by

Summit – #Writephoto

#writephoto image: Sue Vincent

The cane wobbled. Its tip slipped, wedged between two stones, and stuck. Morten grumbled and shuffled up a step. His grandson was born with the brains of a turnip if he thought an old man could climb the steep path in a day. “A sacred site, pretty view, and perfect breeze,” the boy had explained. Morten would need to grow wings to reach the fort’s grassy summit before nightfall.

He thrust out his cane, planted it, and heaved himself up another step. The voices behind him grew louder, the crowd gaining on him. Resigned to his predicament, he twisted aside and backed up to the low wall flanking the path. His balance akilter, he landed his bony rump on the flat rock, lucky he didn’t tip backward and tumble down the hill. His cane clattered on the stone pavers.

The younger folk—his seventy-year-old daughter and her husband, his gaggle of grandchildren and stampede of great-grandies—hiked up the path. His daughter stooped to pick up the cane. “What is dad’s cane doing here?”

Her husband patted her shoulder. “Someone must have dropped it. We’ll bring it up.”

“Ahem!” Morten protested, but the troop resumed their march, paying him no mind and stranding him where he sat. He leaned forward, rocked, and pushed to his feet. With a grunt of effort, he straightened up, though “straight” was purely a matter of perspective.

He shambled farther up the path, knees creaking and fingers inching along the top of the wall. The breeze felt good, and the view was spectacular even though he hadn’t reached the top. After a short distance, the path smoothed and seemed less steep, and he abandoned the security of the wall. He took a few confident steps, and satisfied, added a bit of spring to his gait. He swung his arms and inhaled a deep breath. His pace increased, a renewed vigor thrumming through his heart.

He considered dancing a merry little a jig but dismissed the thought as overzealous. Instead, he picked a handful of summer flowers from the bank and waltzed like a groom on his wedding day. His wife appeared at the path’s peak and laughed, the clouds framing her like downy wings. He winked at her, smiling like a fool in love, surefooted, his life in bloom. The urge to run tickled at his toes, and he leapt into a strong lope, the muscles in his limbs stretching, his arms pumping, his vision clear and soul awake.

His wife opened her arms and received him. At the summit, his grandson smiled as a gust of wind gathered up the ashes from the lifted urn.

***

The image is from Sue Vincent’s Thursday #Writephoto prompt. Join in the fun.

135 thoughts on “Summit – #Writephoto”

  1. Sean P Carlin says:
    September 6, 2018 at 2:04 pm

    You ought to consider publishing a compilation of some of your wonderful flash fiction, Diana.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. patriciaruthsusan says:
    August 26, 2018 at 7:54 am

    That was great, Diana. I could picture it. 🙂 — Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Resa says:
    August 19, 2018 at 10:34 am

    I enjoyed your story, a lot!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. America On Coffee says:
    August 18, 2018 at 8:51 pm

    D. this is a beautiful composition. I really appreciate the metaphoric interplay with the story – tell narration and dialogue. Absolutely beautiful! If anyone wants to learn techniques on writing, you have them! Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. SebnemSanders says:
    August 5, 2018 at 3:29 am

    This is so beautiful, Diana. A story with themes of perseverance, eternity and continuity. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Elisabet says:
    August 2, 2018 at 4:53 am

    This is great, I needed to be reminded How I love your writing🌻

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Sarah says:
    August 1, 2018 at 10:30 am

    Wonderful and moving, Diana! First I was thinking this would develop into a ghost story but this sweet reunion and send off is way better. 😊❤

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      August 1, 2018 at 1:38 pm

      Thanks, Sarah. I’ve grown fond of Morten very quickly, and I love the way his soul flew free at the end. This popped into my mind as I thought about the prompt and I went with it. Thanks so much for reading. Have a wonderful day, my friend. ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Jina Bazzar says:
    July 31, 2018 at 11:47 am

    I thought he’d fallen somewhere his family couldn’t see and his voice was too weak to carry. But then it took a turn and it’s lovely.

    Liked by 1 person

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