Something about this photo made me want to use it for a prompt. How would you write a scene for a romance with this couple? You could use either of them as your POV character, but I decided the couple is the object of attention for a younger couple.
*****
“How can you not be cold?” said the elderly woman to her husband for what had to be the tenth time.
“I just have better circulation than you.” The old man swung his walking stick.
That was his tenth answer, and each one was different.
I leaned close to Josh. “How much farther until we get to the trailhead?”
“It’s just up ahead.” My husband hitched the straps on the backpack higher on his shoulders. “I told you that a minute ago.” He frowned at the couple who strolled ahead of us. “Why doesn’t she leave him alone?”
I gave him a warning look. Just because they were old didn’t mean they were both hard of hearing.
As Josh and I almost came to a standstill behind them, I wondered if we’d start picking on each other like that in forty years. Josh already seemed touchier than he had when we married nine months ago.
“You’ll wish you brought a warmer hat before we’re done,” said the old woman.
“They’re my ears. If they freeze and fall off, it’s my fault.”
The trailhead appeared on the right, and Josh and I practically dove for it. As we started up the steep path, I glanced back at the couple … and then picked up the pace, passing Josh.
“What is it?” he said, looking over his shoulder. “Man.”
I waited until he caught up to me.
He said, “Those two should wait to do that in private.”
“They must have thought we were out of sight.” I slipped my hand into his. “We are now.”
The crankiness melted from Joshs’ face. “I guess we should learn from our elders.”
*****
