PHOTO PROMPT © Sarah Potter
“They don’t make shoes like they used ta’. Why, when I was a shoeshina’, folks had one good pair fa’ work, anotha’ fa’ Sundays, an’ slippas fa’ home. I could coax a nickel shine outa any fine piece o’ leatha’. That was my spot right there. It was a good first job for a young scrappa’ like me. Kep’ me outa trouble, Mama said. She was probly right.”
“What are you jabbering about Gramps?! Trains coming. Gotta go!”
“I was jes’ gonna show you…aw, neva’ mind. Things jes’ aint the same. Mighty shame that is. Mighty shame.”
“Gramps!!! Come. ON!”
~kat
100 Words for Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ Friday Fictioneers Flash Fiction Challenge inspired by the photo above by Sarah Potter.
like mercury colliding... 
September 21st, 2017 at 4:51 am
Memories of a world gone by …. precious …
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September 21st, 2017 at 7:34 am
Yes…stories of the past are treasures.
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September 21st, 2017 at 8:54 am
Dear Kat
Too bad the grandson doesn’t just sit and listen. Someday he might wish he had. Love the voice.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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September 25th, 2017 at 9:49 pm
Thank you Rochelle,
I am just now seeing your comment. I was hoping the voice would come through and several people did pick it up. My thoughts exactly. The kid doesn’t know what he’s missing. 🙂
Peace,
Kat
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September 21st, 2017 at 9:00 am
you still see the odd shoe shiner at train stations around the world, but definitely a trade that is disappearing.
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September 21st, 2017 at 10:48 am
Not like it used to be. We all wear plastic and canvas shoes these days!
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September 21st, 2017 at 9:01 am
Lovely voice, and a fine take on times past.
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September 21st, 2017 at 10:49 am
Thank you Michael.
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September 21st, 2017 at 11:23 am
I wonder how many times his grandson has heard the story? You catch the relationship nicely, Kat!
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September 21st, 2017 at 11:31 am
You make a good point Penny. I’m guessing a few! 😉
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September 21st, 2017 at 12:21 pm
I love this – the voice, the tension between past and present. Also I have a particular fondness for shoe-shine guys. I even wrote a story about one
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September 21st, 2017 at 12:51 pm
So cool. I actually told more of a story…about 200 words worth, but of course, to be true to the challenge, whittled it down to 100. I am fascinated by history and hand crafts that are dying out with automation and our changing priorities. I’ll have to check out your story. 🙂
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September 22nd, 2017 at 12:32 pm
Brava.. 🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀😎😎😎😎😎
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September 22nd, 2017 at 12:41 pm
Thanks Dorna. 😉
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September 22nd, 2017 at 1:17 pm
You have caught the feeling and the voice so well here.
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September 22nd, 2017 at 3:53 pm
Thank you Christine. I read it out loud to myself several times before settling on the abbreviated text. 😊
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September 22nd, 2017 at 4:35 pm
Loved this. You really did capture the grandpa’s voice. One day the grandchild will wish they had taken the time to listen to their grandpa’s stories.
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September 22nd, 2017 at 5:34 pm
Yes. I was thinking that. So much wisdom lost on deaf ears.
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September 23rd, 2017 at 4:51 am
Brilliant, I could hear him speaking as I read it!
Click to read my FriFic!
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September 23rd, 2017 at 9:00 am
Thank you. I read it aloud several times as I wrote it hoping it would work out that way.
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September 23rd, 2017 at 9:08 am
I had trouble commenting on your page, but I loved your story Keith. I hope the meet again too.
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September 25th, 2017 at 12:12 pm
Ah! I’m in without having to join WordPress – I think!
Liked the story enough to persevere, though. People should listen to their elders’ stories before it’s too late.
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September 25th, 2017 at 12:17 pm
Thanks for pushing through Liz! I agree. A lot of wisdom lost.
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September 26th, 2017 at 11:38 am
Loved the voice. Being a grandma myself, I try to pay attention to when my grands have had enough 🙂
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September 26th, 2017 at 12:13 pm
Yes. I am a grandma too. And have to watch repeating myself! I know that drives the kiddos batty! 😀
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September 26th, 2017 at 12:14 pm
That’s all right. I just nod sagely and tell them that their time is coming 🙂
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September 26th, 2017 at 12:29 pm
Haha! Good retort! 😊
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