Little Red Sweater

2015_UK`-1

As we strolled through the park hand-in-hand, I turned to my beautiful wife and silently thanked the heavens for having her by my side. Then I thought, why should I keep this to myself? “Honey, thank you for being you, I don’t know what I would do without you.” 

She beamed at me and blushed “What brought that on?”

“You know, I’ve been so down lately about Mum, it’s been so hard, but you’re always here for me,” I said, looking up at my dear old mum, sitting on the bench ahead of us, knitting away. Earlier, I’d asked her what she was knitting and she told me it was a sweater for her son Thomas. “That’s me, mama,” I had told her. She had looked back at me, angry now, and said “Don’t be ridiculous, Tommy’s at school, who are you?!” 

It was heartbreaking watching her deteriorate like this, day by day getting weaker. Her moments of lucidity were becoming fewer and further between and I could feel her slipping away. I felt the tears welling up and couldn’t help letting a few slip down my face. We stopped, near to the bench, my wife squeezing my hand and rubbing my back. Mum looked up from her knitting and said, “Hey Tommy, what’s for dinner?”

I sat next to my mama on the bench and took her hand in mine, kissed her cheek. “I love you mama, let’s go get pizza.”


Today’s Writing101 Prompt : A man and a woman walk through the park together holding hands. They pass an old woman sitting on a bench. The old woman is knitting a small, red sweater, The man begins to cry. Write this scene.

The twist today was to write it from each person’s point of view, and I wish I could, but I don’t have time today.

x desleyjane


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Comments

23 responses to “Little Red Sweater”

  1. Ron & Terri's travel adventure Avatar

    Don’t worry about it being short; what a well written piece.. You gave a glimpse into everyone’s feelings .. I really liked the approach you took.. nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. desleyjane Avatar

      Oh thank you so much! That really means a lot to me.

      Like

  2. More Than A Dash Of Salt Avatar

    What a lovely and vivid post. I felt like I was the other person in this scene being spoken to.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. desleyjane Avatar

      Thank you, that’s so good to hear.

      Like

  3. Russell J. Fellows Avatar

    Very endearing. I think you captured what many friends I know who have gone through this or are going through this have expressed.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. desleyjane Avatar

      Thank you Russell. Best wishes to your friends.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. A.B Mood Avatar

    That ending really got to me :’) ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. desleyjane Avatar

      Oh thank you…. X

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Priceless Joy Avatar

    Excellent! I loved this story. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. desleyjane Avatar

      Thank you PJ 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Priceless Joy Avatar

        You’re welcome Delsey! My pleasure.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. guevaragem Avatar
    guevaragem

    Moving ending. :’)

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Enables Avatar

    What a lovely post about a loving man!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. desleyjane Avatar

      Thanks so much.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. LifestyleswithLia Avatar
    LifestyleswithLia

    Beautiful and moving! It really hits home…. Superbly written!!!

    Like

  9. andy Avatar

    Fabulous post, Desley !! I too had enrolled for Writing 101, but been so very busy :/ Next time !!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. desleyjane Avatar

      Thanks Andy. I’ve really enjoyed it. Although yes it’s tricky to get it done each day!

      Liked by 1 person

  10. afairymind Avatar

    A beautiful and moving story, Desley. It must be such a hard situation to go through. You capture it really well. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. desleyjane Avatar

      Thanks again, yes such an awful thing to go through…

      Liked by 1 person

  11. luciledegodoy Avatar

    DJ, it’s touching, beautiful, fabulous, perfect. In a short story, you captured masterfully, in three ways, and a week described scene, the thoughts and emotion of the personages.
    Kudos, my friend.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. desleyjane Avatar

      Thank you, you really get me x.

      Like

      1. luciledegodoy Avatar

        You deserve every word! X

        Liked by 1 person

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