Promise Land – Friday Fictioneers

/ JoHawkTheWriter

Title: Promise Land
Source:  Friday Fictioneers sponsored by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple
Word count: 100 words

PHOTO PROMPT © Ceayr

Joyce gently lowered the heavy shopping bags to the ground. She breathed deeply and considered the looming stairs.

“You have made it to base camp, Joyce,” she said. “You are an experienced Sherpa, and you can summit again. Your team is counting on you.”

Each day the climb grew harder. Years ago, she bought the dream, she worked hard, scrimped and saved.

“Retirement is a bitch,” she said picking up her load.

One foot followed the next in her steady, slow ascent until she reached the top where she paused and swallowed her tears.

“Sweetheart, I’m home with your medicine.”

________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

48 thoughts on “Promise Land – Friday Fictioneers”

  14. Your writing in this piece is beautiful. The way Joyce identifies herself as a Sherpa, whose team need her to summit again is so real – I can just imagine doing that. Your reveal at the end is perfectly done, and so very, very poignant it brought tears to my eyes.

    Liked by 2 people

  15. A great story that’s well written, Jo. I know just how Joyce feels. There are forty-three steps up to my flat in India and none of the members of the Society wanted to pay for a lift when the building was first built in the early 1970s. My husband bought it for his mother and himself before I met him. I now own it, have arthritis and sciatica, and don’t go out unless I absolutely have to. Thank goodness my deceased husband’s caregiver stayed on to help me. I’m not the only person with this problem here. —- Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Why does retirement so often have to include taking care of an ill spouse? So not fair.
    Another good reason to live in a bungalow 😉 Far less steps to tackle.

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.