Sue’s photo prompt for #writephoto this week.
The Island
Ever since I was little, it fascinated me.
That little glimpse of land.
My daddy pointed it out to me one day, during a walk on the beach near our house.
We would stand there, feet tickled by the ripples as the tide rolled in and out.
“One day Becky, we are going to live there, on that little bit of paradise, away from the world. Just our little family.” We would make all sorts of silly plans for out future on the mysterious island.
Then he announced that he was off on an adventure. He whispered to me that he was going to the island on his little boat, and he was going to stake a claim on it. It was our secret. I even helped him make a flag to fly there, once he arrived.
He promised that when he was back, we would pack our things and sail back there, and make a home for ourselves.
He was gone for days.
Mummy was fine at first, then after the first couple of days, she started to fret. He never went away for this long without telling her in full detail. This time, he had been a little elusive, and just mentioned that he had work. She called friends and family to no avail, and then the police.
In the end, I had to tell her our secret. That daddy was off exploring, and sailing to the island that we used to see on the horizon.
It was so manic around our house, then they told us they had found a boat, and they believed it was Daddy’s. It was washed up on some rocks, not far from where we would stand and look out at our dream home.
Mummy cried so much. But I couldn’t understand why she was upset. Daddy hadn’t been found. My flag wasn’t in the boat.
It was obvious to me. Daddy had got to the island and was flying my flag there. He was just waiting for us to make our way there.
So now, I still go and stand, feet in the water, gazing out at the speck of land, rising from the horizon. If I look hard enough, I am sure I can see a flag flying.
It won’t be long daddy, I’ll be there soon. It took a lot of convincing, but mummy finally let me have sailing lessons, and when I get a boat, I’ll sail over to you, so we can make our dream come true…
macjam47
Jul 09, 2016 @ 02:12:30
Heartrending.
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Ritu
Jul 09, 2016 @ 07:12:26
Thank you… 😊
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Jane Dougherty
Jul 07, 2016 @ 14:51:45
I don’t know which outcome I’m hoping for—that he was a heel and dumped his family, or that he was so desperate that he killed himself. Either way, the poor child suffers.
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Ritu
Jul 07, 2016 @ 16:01:10
I know….
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Judy Martin
Jul 04, 2016 @ 17:26:55
Love this Sis. The unwavering faith the child has in her Daddy. Very bitter-sweet. 🙂
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Ritu
Jul 04, 2016 @ 18:46:50
Thank you sis xxx
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vronlacroix
Jul 04, 2016 @ 13:38:30
The faith of a child. Sweet story. I enjoyed reading.
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Ritu
Jul 04, 2016 @ 15:11:34
Thank you. A childs faith is indeed unwavering 😊
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Erika Kind
Jul 03, 2016 @ 10:28:04
Oh my, Sis, that touched me so much. Such a very poignant story…. the tragic and the believing heart of a child in one situation. You are amazing, Ritu!
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Ritu
Jul 03, 2016 @ 11:48:59
Aw thank you sis 😊
You know my feelings about my Pops. .. if anything was to ever happen… I’d be the same. .. disbelieving xxx
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Erika Kind
Jul 03, 2016 @ 11:55:55
It truly made me think of you and your Pops, Sis! I feel like this about you two!
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Ritu
Jul 03, 2016 @ 12:11:26
😊😊😊😍😍😍
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Erika Kind
Jul 03, 2016 @ 12:38:47
💖💖💖
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stevetanham
Jul 03, 2016 @ 10:27:24
Very tender.
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Ritu
Jul 03, 2016 @ 11:47:48
Thank you 😊
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Chris White
Jul 02, 2016 @ 11:12:21
It is enchanting and optimistic. You leave us to fill the gaps and that is good.
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Ritu
Jul 02, 2016 @ 13:06:25
Thank you Chris! 😊 you know me, ever optimistic!
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vanbytheriver
Jul 02, 2016 @ 02:52:51
Very sweet, Ritu. ❤️
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Ritu
Jul 02, 2016 @ 08:03:19
Thank you Van 😊
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sheldonk2014
Jul 02, 2016 @ 01:31:25
What a beautiful story
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Ritu
Jul 02, 2016 @ 08:01:09
Thank you Sheldon 😊
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Deb
Jul 01, 2016 @ 23:20:29
Wow, love this! It’s bittersweet but also optimistic. I am of the opinion that her Daddy is on that island, there’s no way for him to get back so he’s figured out a way to survive and one day they will meet up again. I just wish Mummy would take a boat over there to check it out! Wonderful story!! 🙂
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Ritu
Jul 01, 2016 @ 23:57:36
Thank you Deb! I like to leave a little optimism in my stories!
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Deb
Jul 02, 2016 @ 00:07:40
I’m glad…I like it that way too!!
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Ritu
Jul 02, 2016 @ 07:58:52
😊
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Sue Vincent
Jul 01, 2016 @ 23:03:18
Oh, how sad, Ritu!
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Ritu
Jul 01, 2016 @ 23:15:40
It wrote itself Sue… But, honestly, I think I would be like that, always hoping that I would find him again…. my Pops is so huge in my life, as you know…
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Sue Vincent
Jul 01, 2016 @ 23:24:23
I know…and ‘hope’ is one of the tags I put to it when I scheduled it.
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Ritu
Jul 01, 2016 @ 23:58:01
Perfect! I may add that tag too!
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Sue Vincent
Jul 02, 2016 @ 06:53:50
🙂
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Shadeau
Jul 01, 2016 @ 22:58:52
This is a heart-wrencher.
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Ritu
Jul 01, 2016 @ 23:14:37
Thank you. It kinda wrote itself… my father is such a big influence in my life… I would be lost without him… and once the word daddy went into the story, it took a turn in this direction…
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Shadeau
Jul 01, 2016 @ 23:26:03
I love it when words write themselves 🙂
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Ritu
Jul 01, 2016 @ 23:58:16
It’s lie they were meant to be… 🙂
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Shadeau
Jul 01, 2016 @ 23:59:10
Absolutely 🙂
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