James McEwan

This week’s Friday-Fictioneers’ prompt has drawn me to the theme of weather. I have also included two contributions this week, as I couldn’t choose which was the better one. Neither of them I suspect. One is dark, whilst the second is both uplifting and humorous. You decide, which is more fun to read.

Thank you to Rochelle for posting the prompt, and a great thank you to C.E. Ayr for the picture.

More contributions from the Friday Fictioneers group here,

Story One.

That’s a Good Sign

My wheelchair won’t turn on this balcony.
Why didn’t we stay on my farm?
This espresso is cold. Marie makes hot Arabic with milk.
Where is she? We need to save the sheep.

Sally pushed the chair back into the room; the nurse was waiting.
‘Hello, George.” She unwrapped the coverings on his burns.

‘He actually spoke today.’
‘About Marie.’ The nurse applied fresh dressings.
‘He pointed to the clouds and had said, it was going to rain.’
‘That’s a good sign.’ The nurse said and left.

Sally dropped her lit cigarette onto the bedsheets.

She really didn’t miss Marie.

*****

Story Two – I know I will be told off for adding a second one.

*****

Weather or Not

I woke early feeling invigorated and looked out at some wonderful clouds.

My open window let in the morning air awash with the tingle of ions.

The last few weeks were stifling hot, drying up the vegetation on the hillsides.
At night, I hardly slept sweltering with sweat and worried about wildfires.
That great grey streak across the sky promised a cool day and with the certainty of rain.

I fished out my umbrella and raincoat from under the stairs and set off for work with a strange sense of happiness.

I paused, and returned for my sunscreen.

Finicky weather!