Nolo Quietus

“I need to stop a minute.”

“You want me to lock the wheels?”

He grimaced, I can lock my own goddamn wheels left unsaid as he reached down and flipped the levers that would keep the chair from rolling down the hill once she let go.

It was steep enough to be dangerous, the pine needle carpet slick as silk sheets. He looked down at his hands, permanently curled like lobster claws.  “Why did you bring me up here?”

“I wanted to show you something.”

He nodded, disappointed. Knowing she wouldn’t help him with his plan. Ever the good sister.

 

Friday Fictioneers

 

16 comments

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  1. Iain Kelly

    There has to be an easier – less painful – way to do it. A shame the sister seems to be oblivious to his state of mind to help him out either way.

  2. rochellewisoff

    Dear Josh,

    My take is that he wants to commit suicide. Why would he lock his wheels? Or is that the point with the curled hands? I don’t know that I’d help my brother with a plan like that either. Gritty and full of emotion.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    • J Hardy Carroll

      I wanted to say something like “hands curled from the accident” but I decided to leave it ambiguous. She wants to show him a cool rock in the forest, but he wants her to push him off a cliff. If he doesn’t lock the wheels, then she will!

      Thanks for reading!

  3. Rowena

    This story goes with CE Ayr’s “stuck between a rock and a hard place”. It can be hard for people to find meaning again and a will to live after a major accident. Hopefully, he can find a new reason to live and carpe diem seize the day. It is easy to forget that as bad as it seems, it could be worse and then we might even find things to be grateful for, even when the world is shrouded in darkness and despair. However, while others can guide him, that’s a journey he ultimately needs to drive himself. Been there, still doing that.
    xx Rowena

  4. pennygadd51

    Beautifully drawn and believable characters, descriptive writing to die for, an apposite Latin tag as the title and a story arc that goes way beyond the end of the 100 words. Flash fiction doesn’t come better than this! I’m seriously impressed!

  5. Dale

    This was truly well done. I don’t think too many sisters would be willing to help out with such a task. Even if they did understand that was what was wished…

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