Old Things

© 2015, Barbara W. Beacham

“Take a look at these, Riley,” Grandpa said as he slid two coins toward his granddaughter across the table.

The ten year old girl gazed curiously at the pair of buffalo engraved on the surface of the coins.

“What are they?” she asked, with a gleam in her eye.

“They’re called Buffalo nickels,” said Grandpa. I’ve had them since I was a boy. He added, “I know how much you love old things and I thought you might like them.”

Riley knew why her grandfather was giving her these tokens. She’d heard Mom talking with Grandma about Grandpa’s cancer. She knew he wouldn’t be with her much longer. Her eyes misted as she looked lovingly at the gift.

“They’re wonderful, Grandpa. Thank you.” She stood and walked to her grandfather. She leaned in and hugged him tightly and whispered into his ear.

“You’re my favorite old thing ever.”

~V

[This is my entry into the Monday’s Finish the Story challenge, hosted by Barbara Beacham. Writers are encouraged to create a short story of 100-150 words or less based on a weekly photo prompt and opening line.]

Word Count: 148

Four Leaf Clover

The warm sunshine beamed down on the little girl in the pretty dress. She knelt on the ground at the edge of a small hill in her backyard. Her hands deftly moved through the long grasses as she plucked bits of green up with her fingers. She examined her find and then discarded it with a simple “Nope” coming from her mouth. She kept repeating this process.

“Caitlin, time for lunch!” her mother called to her from the doorway of her house. The little girl looked down and her eye spotted the object of her search.

“Coming mommy!” she yelled back over her shoulder.