“Where’s the Nescafe, Pop?”
“Cabinet over the stove. Told her it would dry out up there, but she never listened.”
“Well, it’s dried coffee anyway—”
“It changed the taste!”
I spooned Nescafe and poured hot water from the kettle. “Where’d you get these mugs, Pop? She never told me.”
“Never asked, did ya? Some tourist shop after the wedding. Stupid idea. I had to get to work, didn’t I? I swore I’d take her on a real honeymoon someday. I swore it to her.”
Tears fell from his old eyes as his hands crushed a flower from the funeral.
Genie in a Box: Words and thoughts from Eugenia Parrish, Author 
Loved the way that past tense in the second sentence roused anxiety about where this was going. That’s craft!
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Your praise is especially appreciated. Thank you!
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Pop his grieving his loss in his own way. He is remembering all promises he made to his departed wife and not fulfilled them. His eyes are teary but he wants to retain his tough demeanour. Nice story.
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Thank you for these nice words. I just found this in my spam folder!
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Pop is mourning in his own way. He is remembering all the unfulfilled promises he made to his departed wife. Tear is flowing out but he does not want to show he is grieving. Nice story.
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Yes, he’s very proud. Thank you for the comments.
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Uh-oh. Pass the tissues. Sad that the poor guy had to learn this lesson the hard way, when it was too late.
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I think he had the best of intentions. Life tends to occupy us, doesn’t it? Thank you for reading.
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This resonates with emotion. I can feel his anguish, especially as I believe he probably never took her on that honeymoon.
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You’re right, of course. So often grief is full of regret.
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Blinking away that dust in my eyes… The rough talk and the true feelings often are opposites in people of Pop’s generation I find. Lovely and sad story.
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In many ways this was my father. I’m glad it connected. Thanks.
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So sad and poignant.
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Didn’t mean to make anyone sad! But I’m glad it had a poignancy.
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A touching story, nicely done.
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Thank you!
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Ah, Eugenia… you made me cry with this one.
All gruff and tough and so missing her… beautifully done.
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Thank you! I did want to show the contrast — what he says, but what he feels.
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You did it perfectly!
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So sad….you painted the scene with every word.
~Donna
https://authorshutterbug.wordpress.com/
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Thank you so much! That means a lot to me.
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Dear Genie,
Touching and poignant tale. We think we have all the time in the world, don’t we. Didja havta make me cry? 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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😀 Doncha love it!
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