“Something funny going on in the bay,” I said to Jim. “Tide’s going out awful fast.”
He looked out along shoreline. The water, muddy now, was rushing away towards the open ocean.
“Don’t think that’s the tide, Harry,” he said.
Jim untied his grey-muzzled dog, bent down, and kissed her. Then, he knotted her leash around his waist and lashed himself to the light pole.
“What are you doing?”
“So my wife will have something to bury,” he said.
I understood. “I’ve had a good run. You?”
“Yep, can’t complain.”
———-
Earthquakes are probably the most terrifying disaster I can think of. You can’t see them coming, can’t predict them, and really can’t do much when one catches you. Tsunamis rank a close second. I am told that Japanese fishermen tied themselves to their boats when they saw the tsunami coming – not to escape alive, but so that their loved ones would not wonder what had happened to them. Anyway…Every Friday, writers from all around the world write 100 word (or thereabouts) flash fiction based on a photo posted that Wednesday on Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ blog.
I welcome constructive criticism; without it I cannot grow as a writer. The weekly photo that inspired this story is below:
glossarch 
Excellent. So matter of fact, yet so powerful. Well done.
Thanks!
I liked your story, but it took me a while to figure out who was who. In fact, I am still not sure. I decided that Harry was the dog. Now I think Harry is a friend he goes running with? Anyway, you might want to make that clearer, so the power of the story overrides questions like this…
Hi Lindaura,
Sorry that was unclear. Originally I mentioned one of them setting down a fishing pole, but I ended up cutting it. I’ll be on the look out for this kind of (bad) ambiguity in future stories!
Dear Danny,
In addition to writing a great story you also added a great title. ‘Live by the sea’ die by the sea. Very well done. Thanks for no talking shopping carts.
Aloha,
Doug
Thank you, I’m glad you got the play on words. My shopping carts are a taciturn bunch.
Dear Danny,
Not a word out of place, from excellent title to poignant end. Thank you for the background. After reading that I went back and read your story again. Beautifully done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you – I’ve learned the art of good background from you!
Danny, I read it several times too and it only grew better.
janet
Thank you!
Danny, a very powerful story. I was especially moved after I read the explanation. So very sad. Well done.
It really is. The thought of those poor men tying themselves to the boats is too much to bear.
This is one of my favorites from you.
Thanks! That made my day.