“When, Mammie?” Sally fidgeted on Bella’s lap. Bony butt on bony thighs on a hard bench. It hurt, but Bella ignored the discomfort.
“Any second now,” she responded. The crowd’s hum amplified the thumping in her chest. Heart to ribs. Heart in throat.
A rumbling started. Imperceptible at first, then a rattling that shook the ground, and a moment later, sound.
Two beams shot up. Lit the night sky.
“Goodbye, Eric,” Bella mouthed, tears overflowing. She held Sally so tightly that the child protested. “Find hope, my love. Find life. Then come back for the rest of us.”
For Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers
Photo prompt © Roger Bultot
Na'ama Yehuda 
Wonderfully evocative
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Thank you, Neil! I think one day we may be in that situation … and I hope we can manage to keep life and love aloft till then, through then, after that …
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Na’ama Y’karah,
There’s so much to this scene that I could see, feel and hear it. Here’s hope to a better life.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Amen to a better life, to all who need, and may fewer of us need it, for there is still much goodness we can do, here, for each other, if we only try. Xoxo, Na’ama
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So much interest here!
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I am so glad you found it so! 🙂
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This is wonderful, Na’ama. I couldn’t help but think of my most favouritest episode of Star Trek, The Next Generation called “Inner Light”.
So good.
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So glad you liked! Ah, Star Trek – I remember watching and being partially mesmerized and partially curious about what it could mean if it were true and partially glad that I could brush the unease away as “it is just TV” … and yet, someplace, we all must know that we are limited to this little blue marble, and maybe will not always be, and in large part due to our own doing to it. Hugs, my friend!
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Very much so. That episode really marked me. We are limited to this little blue marble but… what do we really know?
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Indeed … for now … but in the future? Who knows …
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Indeed!
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Wow! Such a moving story.
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Thank you, Sadje! I often think of those who are left behind – when others are away at some important save-the-world task – who know the importance of the work, and are often the reason for the urgency of it … and yet … aren’t seen with the same involvement, though the stakes are just as high for them, if not more, sometimes. I’m glad you liked!
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So true Na’ama! Their contributions are often overlooked.
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Here’s to fewer goodbyes and more hellos and welcome homes …
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Amen. Thanks dear friend
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Amen. Ditto!
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🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
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Na’ama, I read this a couple of times. Good in-the-moment writing.
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Thanks, Li! I hope it was a good ambiguity. Sometimes things that are clear to me, aren’t as clear in the writing – always good to get feedback!
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You’re welcome, and yes it is. I welcome feedback also.
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Feedback among peers is always a good thing, me think!
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nice alliteration
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Glad you liked it! Thank you! I didn’t even quite think of it as an alliteration, but then it came out this way, and I was like, okay … you stay …
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yes, glad you let it stay
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🙂 Me let it stay. Yay.
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😉
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Wonderful story. Full of imagery and emotion.
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Thank you, Will. I’m so glad you liked it.
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One day, sooner than we think. Good one, Na’ama
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Yes, probably sooner than we think …
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hope his mission is successful
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Amen to that! Thank you for reading and commenting!
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Great story, well written 🙌
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Thank you! I’m glad you liked it!
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Behind the moment of sadness there is only hope left for mankind.
Good short story.
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Exactly! Yes, there is hope, always.
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What a scene! So much packed in a few words.
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Thank you, Clare! I am glad you liked!
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the future looks bleak, but hope springs eternal.
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Indeed! Great comment! 🙂
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I am all teary eyed, Na’ama. Thank you.
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Thank you, Kelvin! I am so glad you read and commented!
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