His red hair flamed against the cobalt blue of the California sky, his white teeth flashing in a charm-filled smile. His cocoa brown eyes warm, and full of love.
Bristly cheeks, a hearty laugh. Big hands, gentle in his touch and deft with a painter’s brush. “Look, princess,” he’d say. “What do you see?”
A world of color, a maelstrom of emotion too mature for young eyes. The heart of an artist speaking the only way it knew how – with oils and strokes, palettes of hues and whorls of feeling.
He never came in rescue from the monsters of childhood nor the tears shed in the face of life’s bruising. Never chased away the unworthy boys; never walked down the aisle with his princess on his arm to give away. He never held his first grandchild, or even seen his face.
He was not there, or ever would be, yet he lingered in every curve of my heart. I thought I could see him out of the corner of my eye and I would turn, only to face my fear. He lived; he was dead. Dead to me, but alive to his second, and favored, family.
Thirty years later, all I have is an enameled box filled with the remnants of a life that should have been.
I opened the box and released my father’s ashes on the California hillside.
Tags: #fridayflash
14 Comments to “California Hillside – Friday Flash Fiction”
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Well, welcome back to the flash world!
Poignant story of a daughter’s yearning for her father.
Loved the use of descriptive color in the opening paragraph.
This line was sad and moving: “…all I have is an enameled box filled with the remnants of a life that should have been.”
So, you done good, girl!
Marisa Birns´s last blog ..The Woods
Great opening, really draws attention. Nice quiet feel for a peaceful moment of reflection.
David G Shrock´s last blog ..Poetry is Ordinary, Prose is Sublime
Thanks, Marisa
I missed it SO MUCH. Paying work has to take priority, but it’s been killing me to sit out. It feels wonderful to have a piece up and running.
Thank you, David. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
poignant. I like what David said: a nice quiet feel.
peggy´s last blog ..I’m It
I enjoy stories of reflection such as this. Thanks.
There should be a word for one who spreads, or sprinkles ashes.
Donald Conrad´s last blog ..Merrick Tree
As a woman who misses her father quite a lot, your story went straight to the heart! It’s more than that, though. Your writing is beautiful. It tells a strong story and paints a vivid picture of loss and longing. Welcome back to fridayflash! ~Olivia
“all I have is an enameled box filled with the remnants of a life that should have been.”
And a mind full of memories, which empties out much slower.
John Wiswell´s last blog ..Bathroom Monologue: Three Story Statement
Nice stuff, Netta girl. Keep it up, okay?
Wow, Netta, very poignant. Vivid writing. The staccato sentences were like short brush strokes on canvas. Fit the piece very well. So glad to see you posting flash again.
~jon
J. M. Strother´s last blog ..Moonlight Madness
Welcome back! Very poignant. I can relate to this one on a personal level…
Laura Eno´s last blog ..Sore Loser – #FridayFlash
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by netta50, netta50, Olivia Tejeda, Marisa Birns, Kate Sherrod aka K8E and others. Kate Sherrod aka K8E said: RT @netta50: After a long hiatus, my #fridayflash efforts are back. "California Hillside" http://bit.ly/d3ZJuc [...]
Well done. Great description of the emotions and memories she had.
Eric J. Krause´s last blog ..#fridayflash–The Horizon
Knowing you like I do, this brought a tear to my eye. You touch people in a very special way.
John Melanson´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at
You guys are awesome. Thanks for the welcome back
I appreciate all the kind comments, very much.
<3