In Keith’s words.
“Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm on Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next time.”
The Photo
The Gate by John W. Howell © 2022
“Yes. You rang?”
“H-hurry o-open t-the g-gate.”
“Who is requesting entrance?”
“It’s me you idiot.”
“If I were truly an idiot, I would have no capacity to identify you.”
“Another minute, and I’m going to freeze to death.”
“State the nature of your business.”
“Once inside the house, I’m going to make a cup of tea and then konk you with my heavest pan.”
“Oh my goodness, my love, it’s you. Why didn’t you identify yourself?”
“After 30 years, I didn’t think I had to.”
“I can get that, but your voice was so shaky I couldn’t identify it.”
“Are you going to open the gate or not?”
“Love of my life, I pushed the button. It should have opened.”
“I-it’s n-not o-opening.”
“Give it a push.”
“N-not w-working.”
“Looks like I’ll have to get on my snow gear and come get you.”
“T-that w-would b-be n-nice.”
“One question, though.”
“S-shoot.”
“You still going to konk me?”
“O-of c-course n-not.”
“I’ll be right there.”
“C-can y-you s-still h-hear m-me? Hmmm silence. No, I’m not going to konk you. No, not me. Trust me, though. It will be a long time till this little episode is forgotten.”
“Did you say something, my dear? I was away from the receiver.”
“N-no, n-nothing. Y-you C-coming?”
“On my way, my sweet. On my way.”
Fiction Favorites 
They love each other really…
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Yes they do. Thanks, Jaye.
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Nice one, John. It’s interesting we should both reference the electrically operated gate which was, of course, the metal one that replaced this cheap old wooden contraption in 2015 – eight years after this photograph was taken.
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I always have thoughts about fences that don’t work. Maybe a past life thing. 😁
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Put some ice on that lump, John.
Nice job on the prompt.
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Thank you, Dan. 😊
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I think the Producer would use something bigger than a frying pan to konk your head. Good one, John!
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Those cast iron ones have a certain heft no matter the size.
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The snow story is hitting a little close to home! Fun, John.
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I know. Stay warm. 😁
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Not a good idea to leave the wife waiting in the snow. Frying pan or no frying pan, there will be consequences.
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I believe so too. Not a smart move. Thanks, Liz. 😊
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You’re welcome, John.
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At least you didn’t make her wait until halftime.
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Ha ha ha. If that was done we would be talking about the late Mr. Thanks, Craig.
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Somebody is in a tough spot, he shouldn’t harass the one that can save him. Funny, John!
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Thanks, GP.
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LOL! It happens. I have a funny story of mom and dad not letting me into my own apartment when they were visiting. (Well, it’s funny now, not so much at the time.)
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I can imagine, Darlene. Parents can be strange sometimes. 😁
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Oh, the old married couple. You gotta love them!
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Yup. I think Mr. is going to wish he had gone down to the gate a little sooner though.
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Makes one wonder how she ended up on the other side of the gate with so much snow… Must’ve been a sudden storm! He best move his ace if he doesn’t want to suffer the consequences!
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I think she went out to get the mail and couldn’t get back in. At least the footprints lead me to that conclusion. 😁
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Tee hee… 😀
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😁
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LOL, I’d trust her words…”a long time”, but then maybe he does and that’s why he’s not rushing to help her. Great story, John.
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Thank you Gwen. I think there is no understanding why he was playing with her. Had he known the gate wasn’t working he might not have been so cavalier. Trouble ahead though. 🤣
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Needed the chuckle this gave me.
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I’m glad you got one. Thanks for letting me know. 😁
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Konking will get the blood flowing – in the muscles of the konker. Perhaps pooling in the dermis of the konkee. I hope you don’t earn your Voodoo Ranger the hard way…
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Yes VooDoo Ranger after a konk is like a brain freeze.
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Good one, John. Conked on the head by the love of his life. 🙂
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Yes. What a way to go.
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🙂
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😁
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Oh dear! Poor woman! The idiot deserves a good konk on the head right after she warms up!
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Yes he will get it after her tea,
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I’ll bet the next trip outside the gate will be his to make — and I’ll bet she’ll take her sweet time about answering his call. Turn about being fair play and all!
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I woud say you are right.Thanks, Debbie.
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That was funny John 🙂
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Thank you, Denise. Glad you liked it.
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Playing with fire inside the deepest clench of winter? Hey, it does happen. Horror stories have been written on the stuff.
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The Shining is a great example
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It is.
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I’d say he should operate by the principle of saying as little as possible.
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Good advice, Pete. 😁
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Maybe she’ll skip the heaviest pan in favor of a good ole fashioned snowball or two instead. 🤣
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I would hope so. Thanks for the idea, Deborah.
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John my Acme touchpad took over this morning. I was replying Centerfield when the touchpad took over. Screens flashed. Trash was one of them. And before I could say huh the trash was empty. I guess it was a freak sunny day lightning strike in centerfield. Fortunately it was just your comment that ended up on the temporarily disabled list. Oops! PS you might be pitching tomorrow if it does not rain…
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Gotta pray for rain since I play right field..
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Hey you made me coach.
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I get that. Gonna call an owners meeting right now.
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and there, in a few sentences, lies the summation of a successful marriage
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Geoff.
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you, Michael
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😉 Great done, John! xx Michael
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Thank you. 😁
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He will be paying for this many times over.
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Yes indeed. A woman scorned and all that.
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Yup!
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[…] The Gate by John W. Howell © 2022 […]
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Any photos of the knot on your head and the bruising?🤣
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Thank heavens no. 🤣
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