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 next 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 Monday.”
The photo.

Mate by John W. Howell © 2020
“Ahoy on the boat.”
“Yes, I hear you.”
“Permission to come aboard.”
“Oh, there you are. Who are you?”
“You ran an ad for a mate and here I am.”
“Oh, I see. Welcome aboard.”
“Thank you. This is a nice boat.”
“I’m rather proud of it. I have had it for ten years.”
“My goodness, it looks immaculate. You’ve had a mate then?”
“No, never have. Have been alone.”
“This must be a lot of work then.”
“I spend most of my time on her, so the work doesn’t seem so much.”
“Why do you need a mate, then?”
“A man gets lonely after a time.”
“You want to ask about my qualifications?”
“Not much to ask. You cut a fine figure.”
“Just so we’re clear, and since I am one of the few female mates around, I don’t believe in fraternization with my employer.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t do that either.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Yup, I’m a one-woman, man.”
“Where is your woman, then?”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“I don’t think so why?”
“Why do you think I ran the ad?”
“To get some help on the boat?”
“Don’t need help. I need a mate.”
“I’m confused. You ran an ad in the Boatman’s Times looking for a mate. That means you need help.”
“I see where the confusion is.”
“Tell me.”
“My ad was for someone to share my life. A mate. Not someone to work for me as a first mate.”
“Ah. Now I see. Okay, then.”
“I guess you have waisted the trip.”
“No, I think I would like to apply for the life mate position rather than the first mate job.”
“The position is yours if you want it.”
“Why so fast?”
“I have a feeling that life mate who knows how to be a first mate is exactly what I’m looking for.”
“I’m going to need to know a lot more.”
“There is a nice thing about a life mate arrangement.”
“What’s that?”
“Life is a long time to get to know more.”








