A Feast of Memories
4th March, Story #64/366
It was, as someone's Nan might've said, "a lovely spread".
The wooden table groaned under the weight of it, dominating the cramped space. A lamp swung above, casting a soft glow and odd shadows on the walls of the caravan.
The bread was warm to touch. There were cakes topped with chocolate, or fruit and fresh cream. Platters of beef, chicken and a glazed ham, studded with cloves. Chutney, pies, cheeses, a slab of butter.
His mouth watered. He knew the rules, everyone did. Don't eat their food or drink their drink. Not even a sip. If you do, you can't leave.
The dusty-suited old man gestured for him to sit. "Tea? Beer? Something stronger?"
Am I really going to do this? He cleared his throat. "A beer, if you don't mind."
The old man nodded, all amicable, and gestured for him to help himself. He was suddenly hungrier than he'd ever been in his life.
A grape hung tantalisingly off the fruit bowl, jewels of condensation standing out on its taut skin like teardrops. He just knew how it would taste, how fresh and sweet. Reaching for it, almost furtive, he bit into it before his courage failed.
There she was! The shock of it, when for a lifetime her picture had been of a stranger. Now, in this second, she was more familiar to him than his own face.
She leaned forward until she was down to his level, and cupped his cheek with a hand that was surely made of silk. Her eyes sparkled. The tear just spilling down his cheek was caught on her thumb and wiped away. The wind tousled her hair, blew a few strands across her face, tugged at her dress.
"You'll be okay," she said, and her voice was the loveliest sound he'd ever heard.
Beer untouched, plate empty, he bathed in the memory for precious seconds. Tried to hold on to it, stop it fading... but it was useless.
"Won't you try another, young sir?" the old man asked.
Young! I'm sixty-two!
"No," he croaked. "That one. Definitely. Please. Give it back."
++++++++++++
Word count (excluding note): 366
Submitted on 4th March at 23:10
This one follows on from the ones I did over the last couple of days, but they should all work as stand alone stories as well.
*Quick Author's Note*
First, and most importantly: thank you for reading!
Leave me a link to your own latest story, if I haven't already seen it!
If you enjoyed this story, the best compliment you can give me is to share it, or read another.
Pay no attention to the writer behind the curtain: Yes, I was linking of Pan's Labyrinth when I wrote that grape.
A Year of Stories: I'm writing a story every day this year. This one makes a 64 day streak. You can find all of them in my Index post.
Thank you
Thank you again! I do my best to reciprocate all reads.
About the Creator
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
Keep reading
More stories from L.C. Schäfer and writers in Fiction and other communities.
Back to the Sunset Market
I didn't consider what I was asking the grandfather to take away. A child can't wrap their heads around the enormity of such things, the far-reaching implications. Could I ask a doctor to take a healthy leg? What manner of man would agree to take it?
By L.C. Schäfer3 months ago in Fiction
Vale Perficientur
"My tears need a minute to find the edges of my face. If you'll please excuse me." The sarcasm stabbed into Juliana’s heart. Antonia glared at her from the pit of the Lyceum as her student fought to hold back tears that had nothing to do with the pain in her fingers. “You’re better than this, again.”
By Matthew Fromm5 days ago in Fiction
Red Shelves
Death is a black hole. Think about it. A black hole is the corpse of a star, something once warm and bright, now come to the end of its life cycle. But some will argue that the cycle of life does not end with death. That death is merely another path we must walk once our bodies expire and our souls ascend. In that moment, when the fuel in the star’s chemical tank hits empty and the shiny matte coat explodes into supernova, the mass left behind – the corpse – becomes a black hole. We understand that, around such a vast cadaver, dimensions work a little differently in death to the way we’re used to in life. For example, light cannot escape the pull of a black hole when it hits the point of no return. That’s where it gets its colour. Space itself is contorted by a black hole. That’s where it gets its funny shape. Even time. Time slows right down the closer you get to it. The closer you get to a black hole. The closer you get to death.
By Matthew Curtis5 days ago in Humans
Comments (8)
Your piece deftly transports the reader to a realm of mystery and temptation, where each snack and drink has serious repercussions. We can't wait to see what the real cost of excess is in the next chapter.
Beautiful continuation of the fair. Yes, most definitely that one, please.
I love the idea here that this is both a stand alone and part of a series, if you wish it to be!! Kind of like a choose your own adventure, if you will! Great work LC!!
Got a Hotel California vibe - you can check out any time you want, but you can never leave! Epic writing as always.
How come he can’t leave? Just cause he ate the food? This happened to me once at a buffet, but because I kicked a pro wrestler in the ****. He deserved it though. The police “might” have been called. Anyway, great story, very interesting!
It’s amazing what a really good writer can do with something as simple as grape or a table covered with an inviting albeit dangerous feast. Wonderful story! Very Bradburyesque.
This is a great story. For some reason I can’t quite put my finger on, it reminds me of a Studio Ghibli film
I love this follow-up! But what is the "true" cost? I get the idea of the fey-food (or similar concepts) where you can't leave, but what does that "really" mean??? Can't wait to see if you write another on this LC!