Written for the Sunday Photo Fiction Challenge. 200ish words of fiction based on the photo prompt:
Nostalgia immediately stirred her senses, making her happy and sad all at once. Her mouth watered as the tang of fresh baked sourdough hit her taste buds, reminding her of the warm little shop that used to be just a short bicycle ride from her home. Her toes wiggled, remembering how the cold edge of the shoehorn tickled her heal as it guided her foot into those loafers she coveted as a 6th grader. What ever happened to that nice man in his suit and tie who, after helping her on with the shoes, had watched her walk back and forth across his store, confirming that the fit was just right? Her eyes stung as she remembered shopping with her mother. The plan they followed didn’t begin and end with a single massive purveyor staffed with strangers. It required more thoughtfulness. “Mr. Selby sponsors your brother’s baseball team, so we’ll get the potroast at his butcher shop” her mother would tell her as they developed their route. Community and connectedness mattered more to her mother than the time it took to make multiple stops. As she stepped into that bookstore and smelled it’s glorious mustiness she thought “Sorry Amazon, we’re through.”
That was great and surprise ending…:-)
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Thanks Nancy! I was having a hard time wrapping it up then that just popped into my head : )
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She romantized back to her first love. 🙂
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Yes!
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Very visceral. Love the imagery and the remembrance of how it used to be…
These short challenges are great!
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They are lots of fun! Maybe you should give them a go?!
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Nothing better than the “smell” of a good book…..
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Don’t worry Amazon, I’m still here! Though that hits the mark soo well; that’s why I avoid bookstores. I only have so much space.
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Lol! I have to confess that I’m also a frequent Amazon shopper, but I still make room for a “real” book now and then.
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This reminds me of a small town where everyone knows everyone else. Lovely memory. There are probably still some places like that, but not as many as there used to be. Well done, Justthrowsticks 🙂 Suzanne
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Thank you Suzanne! I toured the country a few years ago, visiting community pharmacies. Many rural towns are still like this, but Walmart is quickly changing that unfortunately.
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