Copyright Trish Nankivell
On first awakening, there’s often a brief hiatus as the jigsaw of her life prepares to fall into place.
This default state can be a haven of peace; more frequently an ocean of despair.
Whichever, it’s inevitably short-lived.
Very quickly the old grey matter grinds into gear, evaluating what is good and what is not, informing her moods and emotions for the day, scheduling her actions.
Today she rises and starts packing a bag.
This is a window of opportunity; it must be seized without delay.
By the time he realises he shouldn’t have gone, she will be…
…well gone.
Just when you think the Covid situation might get a little better… it gets a whole lot worse. We can do this. It’s just that we’re totally fed up with doing it. Thanks for the light relief afforded by Friday Fictioneers each week under Rochelle’s leadership. And a Merry Christmas to all! 🙂
castelsarrasin 
‘the jigsaw of her life’ – I wish I’d written that!
A lovely little anecdote with your usual deftness of touch and delightful turn of phrase.
Happy hols, Sandra
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope she makes it. The dfault state may prevent that
LikeLike
Love how you’ve created so much story here!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
LikeLike
Dear Sandra,
It sounds like she’s doing well to get out of a bad situation. Well written as always,
Shalom and a Happy Christmas to you,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Merry Christmas Sandra. I wish we could all escape from this pandemic. Sounds like she has been planning to seize this day for a while. Good luck to her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely writing. Merry Christmas Sandra, hope you’re somewhere safe.
LikeLike
I wonder where she’s going 🤔.
You perfectly summed the first few seconds of the day with your first line.
LikeLike
Oh! I love that “jigsaw of her life”! So wish wonderful evocative phrases like that would come to me. Sigh. At least I get to read them from such wonderful writers as you.
And yes. May she be gone, happily, before he realises.
A very Merry Christmas to you and yours!
LikeLike
Good on her. And merry Christmas to you 🙂
LikeLike
A new start, hopefully. Here’s to happier New Year and a joyful Christmas along the way.
LikeLike
Sounds like she’s doing the right thing – let’s hope she gets far enough away.
LikeLike
Sometimes when a line is crossed, there is no other choice. Good one.
LikeLike
I like your double use of gone in the last sentence. This tale intrigues me. She could be escaping abuse; or she may usually need care, and be ‘escaping’ from her carer
LikeLike
I love the first two lines, and hope her day turns out to be the way she hopes. It sounds like she needs a fresh start, as do we all. My morning begins with a reminder (or wish), “This too shall pass!” I hope you have a peaceful holiday, Sandra.
LikeLike
You have such a polished storytelling ability, Sandra. Love the line, “the old grey matter grinding into place.” Stay safe and merry Christmas!
LikeLike
Dear Sandra, sometimes it is good to be ‘gone’ … Very nicely done!
And … yes, we can beat this. We can each do all we can, and together we’ll beat back the tide. Enough had died.
Meanwhile, take good care and Merry Christmas to you!
LikeLike
Love the turn of phrases. Extraordinary telling of the ordinary things of life. Happy holidays to you too 🙂
LikeLike
I had the impression of an elderly woman with dementia who may be confused about where she is? If so, I hope that they can find her before she is gone. She seems one determined lady!
LikeLike
Good one. It was me in the morning until the baggage. 🙂 Loved it.
LikeLike
I liked your use of prompt as I felt the emotion,
LikeLike
A small window of opportunity to start anew. Good luck to her!
LikeLike
The way you’ve laid those words out Sandra, just so poetic. And a lovey surprise ending. Loved it.
LikeLike