Just put 'Love from Gran' - fiction
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325654)
Rockingham, Australia
May 21, 2017 8:10pm CST
Edit: There are a few of myLot members who have published books and go to book-signing functions. This one is for them. I forgot to put this bit when I first submitted it.
Love from Gran
Ian's leg was aching. He stretched it as best he could under the card table, trying not to get tangled in the Christmas tinsel. A plastic chair and a card table in a downtown café: Maybe when he wrote his 'blockbuster' his agent would come up with slightly more salubrious surroundings for a book launch.
But for now this was it and it was time to meet and greet the middle-aged matrons who smiled coyly at him and held out their copies for his signature. He shot a quick glance down the line of waiting figures. Another half-hour should do it.
As he held out his hand for the next copy, a face suddenly appeared in front of his nose. The skin was brown and wrinkled reminding him of a walnut. A toothless mouth gaped at him in a cheery smile. Blue eyes sat like semi-precious stones in an expanse of wrinkles.
"G'day, dearie," said a husky voice. "How are you?" And bony, claw-like fingers pushed a book under his nose.
Ian leaned back a little.
"Hello" he said. "What name would you like me to write?"
"Just put 'Fiona, love from Gran'. And I'll have it gift-wrapped please."
"Sorry, we don't do gift-wrapping at this table," said Ian. He paused, then went on. "Wouldn't it be best if you wrote 'from Gran' later and I put, I don't know, maybe 'best wishes from Ian Grainger'?"
The walnut lifted her head. "Why would you put 'Ian Grainger' on it? Who's he?"
"I'm Ian Grainger. I wrote the book. Normally I'd put 'to Fiona from Ian Granger'."
"But you're not giving her the book. I'm giving her the book." She leaned forward again. "So just put 'To Fiona, love from Gran', there's a dear."
Ian sighed. "Are you going to read it first?" he asked.
"No way," said the walnut. "It says it's a tender, romantic story. Not my cup of tea at all. I like a good murder."
The photo is of my grand-mother.
23 people like this
20 responses
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
22 May 17
The grannies give it straight....Loved the story.
Liked the photo
4 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
22 May 17
Who wrote this little story Judy?
Your Gran was a lovely woman look at her in the photo! I love this!
Thank you so much for sharing with us.
2 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
22 May 17
@JudyEv I love the story Judy. Oh yes it is and you are blessed to have them. I won't have any of mine..long story and a sad one.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325654)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 May 17
@TiarasOceanView I'm glad you like the story. I'm sorry you don't have any of your old photos. I know many people don't.
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
22 May 17
Fantastic vintage photo of your grandmother. Transports one to another time and place.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
22 May 17
Reads like something that could actually happen. Nice.
3 people like this
@spaceseed (2843)
• India
22 May 17
just out of qurocity may I ask. do you know horse riding as well
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325654)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 May 17
@spaceseed No, basically we got too old. I have a bad back and can't do a lot of lifting or bending any more. Do you have/like/ride yourself?
2 people like this
@spaceseed (2843)
• India
22 May 17
@JudyEv do you still do horse riding, or your children ..........still having horses?
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
22 May 17
You can't fault her logic there, lol - A writer I got to sign a book to me asked what I'd like him to write. I suggested "As my last will and testament I hearby leave all my wealth and property to Arthur Chappell,' followed by his signiture. He thought that was quite funny
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
25 May 17
@JudyEv hopefully yes, he is a terrific writer too
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118427)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 May 17
This brought a smile to my face this morning. Thanks for sharing! I wonder if Ian got a little red in the face when she asked "Who's he?" lol
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118427)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 May 17
@JudyEv That is true! It's nice to keep them grounded somewhat!
2 people like this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
22 May 17
haha! Excellent! Loved it and your descriptions are very 'writer-worthy'. Was it a from a book or just a little fun flash fiction?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325654)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 May 17
@MarymargII I won $100 once with a flash fiction. That was a bit of a thrill.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
23 May 17
@JudyEv Well, it's very entertaining and clever - I would call it flash fiction. Try publishing it somewhere that takes little fiction stories.- You could be famous---ha!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325654)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 May 17
Our friends had an elderly neighbour who loved watching the wrestling on TV. They could hear her barracking for her favourites from their place.
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
22 May 17
That is funny.
I love that photo!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325654)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 May 17
I'm glad you enjoyed the story. I love the photo too.
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
22 May 17
How sweet I really enjoyed that
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
22 May 17
That's a great photo of your grandmother. Great short story too, it's something we could picture happening in real life
1 person likes this