Photo courtesy of me!
The pilings are all that is left of the Juanita Slough bridge which spanned the north end of Lake Washington in the late 1800s. They bring to mind the past when I walk by them and create a unique merger of natural and man-made. I like to think about the people who lived along the shore when it was at its heyday. I love how the pilings are now hosting new growth, a reminder that we all can start over, become something new.
Word count: 101
Vanishing Point
Standing at the end of the bridge, Lizzie strained to see through the gloom. He promised to come but she couldn’t stay long or she’d have to explain herself. That would never do. Father had eyed her suspiciously as she made her excuses to walk the shoreline.
Please…she whispered, part prayer, part pleading. In their few short months, they’d shared stolen moments, making their memories last in between. It was never enough.
Out of the dim, she saw his fedora bent against the rain coming toward her. Heart aching, Lizzie practiced the words she must say. “They’ve promised me to another…”
The bridge as it appeared in about 1915.
Another view of the pilings in the bay.
To see other stories, please visit the Rochelle Wisoff-Fields site here.
© Erin Leary
Oooo so sad in the end, I was praying he was there to sweep her away. Well told
Thanks for reading! It did feel like a sad way to leave it.
Oh dear. Maybe they can run off together, though it doesn’t sound like she’s planning anything like that.
No, I think she has to follow her parents direction. It was just the way it was done.
how did it end, any sequel coming
Sadly, no. A sad way to leave it!
Dear Erin,
It’s nice to know where this actually is. I really didn’t think it was the rice paddies in Vietnam. 😉 Lovely story, full of pathos of another time. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks, Rochelle. I love how differently everyone interprets the prompt. The pictures take you places you’d never imagine! That’s one of the most fun aspects of FF.
Lovely and sad Erin and a good picture now better the way you describe it.
Thanks, Dawn! Glad you enjoyed it.
Very sad and a worthy take on your own extremly interesting photo. Thanks for the history.
Thanks, Sandra! I’m glad you liked it.
Great to find out the history behind your photo – and a story to do justice to that history. Really enjoyed it.
Thanks for reading!
Love the story behind – I thought it might have been a bridge. The story was one too common … Still is in parts of the world. Yet always tragic to remember.
It wasn’t all that long ago – and still happens in some places. Thanks for reading.
This is fascinating, Erin. I enjoyed your very fitting historical take and how your incorporated the bridge. Lovely writing. It’s really something to see the bridge in that old photo. It’s like seeing a ghost. Thanks for the photo!
Thanks, Amy!
Thank you for the fabulous photo, Erin. I love how it was used in so many different ways.
And yours was heartbreaking…
Thanks, Dale! I appreciate you reading.
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I add my thanks to that of the others, it’s great to learn more about the picture, and its interesting history. Your story is beautiful and sad, perfectly set in its time.
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
You story is so full of yearning. I can feel her grief and helplessness. The photo is very evocative – thank you for providing it. I like the other shots you’ve included, too, and the bit of history. Great reading all round.
Thanks, Margaret!!
You’ve captured her despair so well. And thank you for providing the background story for the picture.
Thank you for reading!!
Thanks for the pictures and background on the bridge sight, Erin. Great story although really sad. Girls often didn’t work in those days so were totally dependent on the men in their lives. The man she loves may not be surprised with her decision. Well done. — Suzanne
Thanks, Patricia! I appreciate you reading.
That was such a sad story … beautifully told, and full of haunting imagery.
Thank you for giving us that lovely photo-prompt, Erin!
Thank you for reading!
I hope she whisks her off to a new and better place.
Great story, great photos. That ending, though… You’re so good at this.