Island – Six Sentence Story

Being new there Tim sat at an empty table like a survivor washed onto an island in a sea of festivities asking himself why he bothered going to this church picnic in the first place. He watched children play on inflated structures, but he was far too old for that, and he saw groups conversing, but he was far too shy to introduce himself.

Eventually two elderly women, both widows, along with a husband and wife sat down at his table. The widows spoke of their husbands who were now with the Lord and they all spoke of their activities and the work of their children and children’s children and listened to Tim struggle to pick the right words that avoided topics like where his wife and child were or reveal for scrutiny the questionable paths he followed with his career and choices of entertainment over the years. The husband, who met his wife in high school and had been with her now for over sixty years, invited Tim to a men’s group on Thursday which Tim, although unsure of what he was getting himself into, agreed to attend.

By the time the picnic was over Tim was breathing calmly and wondering why he had not realized before that people like this still existed who overflowed with power in their humility of being salt for the world hoping it was not too late for him someday to somehow do the same.

Denise offers the prompt word “island” for this week’s Six Sentence Stories.

GirlieOnTheEdge Denise Farley's six-sentence-stories icon
GirlieOnTheEdge Denise Farley’s six-sentence-stories icon
Focus on Yellow Blossom
Focus on Yellow Blossom

Author: Frank Hubeny

I enjoy walking, poetry and short prose as well as taking pictures with my phone.

39 thoughts on “Island – Six Sentence Story”

  6. Glad Tim trusted his instincts and said “yes”. It may not feel at times as if there are decent people left in the world, but there are. It’s a matter or finding them. Sounds as if Tim has found some of these people.

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  11. i’ve never met a stranger, i’ve met some who are stranger than others, but i always learn something, even if it’s that I don’t need that person in my life. good post, made me think.

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  13. “…sat at an empty table like a survivor washed onto an island in a sea of festivities”

    Man! What a line.
    Just left Susan’s Six which along with yours… jeez thank, dude. I may never sit down at the keyboard again!
    lol

    (but, that is imo, most of the benefit of participation… learning and developing my writing chops by osmosis…lol)

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    1. It is good that there were people willing to talk to him. I wanted to make sure his sense of being an outsider was removed just by talking to people who listened to him with kindness. Thank you, Anne!

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  19. The more we interact with the right people, the more we realize the world is not really as bad as we fear it would be. Glad Tim has found himself some good company.♥

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