Flash, Mini Story

Those Were The Days

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Our gracious host, Rochelle, is asking us to get
creative in 100 words or less using the photo
seen below. Welcome to Friday Fictioneers.
This is where the prompt took me.

Photo courtesy of Peter Abbey

The day’s heat lingered in the sand beneath their feet. Paulina watched her children chase the retreating waves, their laughter carried on salt-thick air. Beside her, Franco paused mid-stride, backpack heavy with towels and chairs.

“One more summer,” he said quietly.

She nodded, understanding. Next year, the kids would be too old for simple beach days. Too busy, too complicated, too grown.

A surfer emerged from the water, board tucked under his arm. Groups of people dotted the shoreline like punctuation marks in an unfinished sentence.

The sun painted everything silver and shadow.

They had this moment. It was enough.

NAR©2025
100 Words

This is “Summer Is Over” by Dusty Springfield

19 December 2025

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

51 thoughts on “Those Were The Days”

  5. Dusty Springfield–an absolute favorite of mine.

    It’s funny the things I think my kids don’t remember, and they do! Warms my heart to hear them talk and laugh about different things. A good read, Nancy.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. This doesn’t go along with your theme, but when our sons were very little, My wife (I had to work during the week) would take them to a place in Long Beach called “Mama’s Beach.” It was a little cove with no waves and very shallow shores. It allowed the toddlers to dig in the sand and play in the water without risking tides and rough waves. It’s only someplace you take your young ones and when they get older, it’s over.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. It’s a good song, isn’t it. And I think the story is perfect.

        I saw that Willow had given you the video of the song you used for your title. Here’s another version of that, by a bunch of lunatics from Finland:

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

    1. That’s a nice temperature, Jim. We are at 55 which is a heat wave compared to the temps of the past couple of weeks. It poured last night and it still raining with gusty winds, but I would rather that than snow. Our WP friend Ivor in Australia said they were at 100° F! Can you believe that? Crazy weather!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

        1. Thank you, my dear friend. I am healing, however, the progress is slow as the surgery was more extensive than we originally thought. It’s been frustrating having to rely on my husband to do so many things as I only have one functioning hand at the moment. He’s been a great sport about it. Thank goodness for the mic in my Mac, which has allowed me to continue blogging. Happy holidays to you and your family and best wishes for all good things throughout the new year.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply

          1. You’re welcome, dear sister! I think as we age, our healing takes longer. And hands are always required! I’m so glad that you can rely on your husband for help. Take good care of yourself dear sister.

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply

Leave a reply to Neil MacDonald Cancel reply