Sometimes, a story comes to me just a moment or two after I find a picture. That’s the case with this plot prompt for Memorial Day. Since my prompts always post on Monday, I wanted to tie this month’s theme of plot to Memorial Day. I looked at several photos on Pixabay, but this one quickly ignited a story idea. If it does the same for you, put your inspiration in the comments. Here’s mine:
*****
Although I’d ridden in the Memorial Day Parade with Keith to honor his brother, missing in action in Operation Desert Storm, for more than twenty years now, it never got old. I was older, and the backseat on the Keith’s Harley wasn’t as comfortable as it used to be. But I loved helping him remember Kyle.
I waved at friends as we rolled by the courthouse.
The motorcycle took a sudden jerk, and I clutched at Keith to hang.
Instead of steering back into the slow line for the parade, Keith turned toward an alley. He motioned parade watchers to get out of his way, then pulled into it, and parked.
“What’s wrong?” Taking off my helmet, I couldn’t imagine what had made my husband pull out of the parade.
He climbed off the bike, trembling. I climbed off too and took his hand.
He passed a shaky hand over his white mustache. “I saw him. I just saw Kyle in the crowd.” His deep voice was only a strangled whisper.
“B-b-but that’s–“
“And he hadn’t aged any.” His stunned eyes bored into mine. “He looked like he did when he left for Desert Storm.”
“You must have seen someone who just looks like Kyle.”
“Like his clone?” Keith moved his gaze to the pavement of the alley, shaking his head.
I tightened my grip on his hand, pulling him back toward Main Street. “Show me the guy.”
*****
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