Photo credit @Al Forbes
Held In Memory
by T. Delaplain
I slide into the backseat, lie on my back and imagine the moonlight. I’m assaulted with longing so intense that it can only be desire. The taste of your breath lingers still. I run my hand over the discolored upholstery. I can almost smell the vanilla ice cream mishap: kids and dogs and chaos.
My tears cloud the rear view mirror again. We followed you to the graveyard, this chariot and I. A hundred years of holding space tethered by a thousand memories. I’m not trapped or lost. I have found my heaven, here amongst the litter of memories.
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For more old-time stories of cars and memories go to Friday Fictioneers. Our hostess will give you 100 words to take a ride.
Tracey Delaplain, MD 
Well done. I felt so sad.
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100 years is a long time feel sad.
Thanks for reading and commenting
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A sad tale. Good use of the prompt. It’s amazing how we attach memories of all sorts to the cars we’ve had in the past.
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Honestly, that may be a “guy thing”. I don’t have any memories that would keep me in my car for eternity.
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Sad, tragic. “Vanilla ice cream”mishaps. Funny about what makes you angry at the time that, in retrospect, becomes a beloved memory.
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That’s so true. My son has a child now and I keep telling him not to sweat the little stuff but to savor everything.
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That was exquisite, Tracey. I don’t feel sad at all… memories are fabulous to have.
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But holding on to memories for eternity? It may be time to move on.
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Yes…eternity is way too long…
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It’s the details that make this work so well, like the ice-cream mishap
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Thank you for the thoughtful comment.
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This is wonderful. So many memories captured in the confines of a car.
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I thought surely, (can I call you Shirley? ) that you would recognize this as a ghost story.
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I didn’t recognize it as a ghost story – but upon rereading, I do now. Color my face red, Shirley
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Very nicely done,
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Thanks Michael
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So sad. But, so sweet, too.
Aces, Doc! 🙂
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Thanks I was hoping for 5 out of 5 Caspers.
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You GOT ’em! 😉
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Dear Tracey,
This brought tears to my eyes. Beautifully written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle for reading and commenting week after week. Your energy inspires me.
Paz,
Tracey
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“among a litter of memories”. loved it.
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Thanks Amiga. I imagined that if the car had been owned by more than one person then it would be “littered” with memories. This supposes that cars and spirits living in them hold memories.
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Very sad. It’s time to let go after all this time, I think.
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I agree but who are we to tell a spirit it’s time to move on. He’s seems quite content.
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This was a very moving story. Well written.
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Thank you.
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beautifully written. this is one of your best.
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Thank you. Your comment made my day.
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“Memories . . . pressed between the pages of my mind.” Please stop me before I sing the next line.
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I’m misty and water colored over your comment about my memories ……
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Oh my word! This is so beautifully sad.
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Thanks Liz. I always appreciate you stopping by.
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Beautifully written. Whether inanimate objects, a piece of music, a saying it’s the memories that are important and if these things trigger them, they’re important too.
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I agree.
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I’m the worst when it comes to attributing historical persona to inanimate objects. I enjoyed this.
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Me too. Antiques sometimes freak me out a little, maybe it’s the spirits that linger with them. Thank you
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I, too, liked the ice cream mishaps – it created a vivid picture.
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Ice cream mishaps should always be joyous. It’s just stuff after all.
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So poetic…
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Thank you Dawn
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