copyright-David Stewart
Father was a man to lean on; organised and self-assured he would always be there, wearing his horn-rimmed glasses, standing straight.
So it was a pity when the President spotted him while visiting the Foreign Ministry. After that, father‘s horn-rimmed glasses became a permanent fixture in every newspaper, standing behind the President.
It became a joke though, whispered amid mouthfuls of sake. And when the President’s death followed father’s, the joke was made permanent. There is the president now, in the square reaching out for father. But father’s bespectacled statue is in my garden, standing straight only for me.
—
Friday Fictioneers again with this beautiful picture by David Stewart. It took me a while to cut down this story to 100 words, but it is now actually down to 99. Me is happy.
Oh and Happy Valentine’s everyone!
Sandra's scribbles 
Very nice! I enjoyed this…
Thank you Deana, as always your comment made me smile 🙂
You can;t go wrong with a tribute to Dad!
I enjoyed this as well.
Thank you, I’m glad you did 🙂
Sandra, what a unique take on the picture. I really feel the hand reaching out toward the narrator’s garden and the story brought a smile to my face as did your title. One of my cousins, when he was small, used to say things like, “mine book” or “mine present.” When he got a little older, he opined one day, “I used to say ‘mine’ when I was little.” Brought back good memories.
janet
Sweet! Good memories are always welcome.
your first and last lines are wonderful. they tell the story of a strong man, straight and to be leaned on.
Thanks!
This really made me smile. It does seem like something’s missing there and your story explains that in such an imaginative way. I’m glad the father is in the garden and away from that reach! 🙂
😀
Sad, well done.
Scott
Mine: http://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/3734/
Thanks Scott.
Dear Sandra,
I enjoyed your story this week. A daughter’s tribute to the first man in her life. Well written with a lot of story packed into few words.
shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle, it’s all due to your excellent picture choices every week, so thank you.
This story makes you envy the president and that doesn’t happen often! I like this a lot.
A daughter would envy anyone who steals her father’s attention that should be focused only on her, I guess.
There could be worse places than behind the president, I suppose. 🙂
In front of the president during an assassination attempt came to mind, for some reason.
‘Mine father’ – how long is it since I’ve heard that phrase. Lovely story, Sandra.
Thank you, Sandra 🙂
such a great take on the prompt.. you managed to create a story that’s deep and sad and yet , sweet. well done ^^
Thanks for your comment, KZ I really appreciate it!
lovely tribute 🙂
Thanks!
very unique and actually quite sweet.
Thanks a lot Bjorn.
I am glad you have the important statue. Enjoyed this.
Thanks, I’m happy you did.
I liked the sense of coming full circle at the end of the story, and the tight picture you painted of public perception versus what a family sees. The political and social complication rounds it all out nicely. Great stuff in just 100 words!
An incredible critique for a 100 word story! Thanks a lot for your feedback, I really appreciate it 🙂
that was very thoughtful and well done. peaceful too.
Thanks Rich.
What you saw in your father was good in the President’s eyes also. A nice 100 word story.
Thanks Joe.