Out of reach

PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll

It was too high up. The colander mocked him from above, dangling from a suspended cord. What was wrong with storing things in cupboards?

The pasta boiled on the stove. Getting too soft.

He was getting too impatient. With his legs, limp and useless, in the wheelchair. With the stupid colander in the dumbest place.

He should have gotten it down before he started cooking. Prepare beforehand. He took a deep breath. All that was needed was some slight adjustments to the way he usually goes about things. That’s all.

Grabbing a broomstick, he gently coaxed it off  the hook.

100 words

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Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields.

Click the frog to submit your story or read others’.

bigfred

friday-fictioneers-and-poppy

Responses

  1. Eduardo Suré avatar
    Eduardo Suré

    In a few words, your story generated questions in my mind and then satisfyingly answered them. Well done.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      *fist pump* Yes! Thank you, Eduardo. And thanks for reading too.

      Like

      Reply
  2. bearmkwa avatar
    bearmkwa

    Oh, how I remember those days in the wheelchair! Everything was frustrating. Between being short and then seated lower than the stove/counter/table… it was just damn hard! And there was never anyone around to help. Grrr….. So glad to be walking again and not so helpless. Never want to be that way again.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      I can only imagine how difficult that must have been. Especially losing your independence so suddenly. I’m just so glad and happy that you have healed! Thank you for sharing that with us.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
    2. Archon's Den avatar
      Archon’s Den

      The daughter only uses her power wheelchair for outside. She makes do with a walker or crutch(es) in one of four handicap units, in a public housing complex of 80 units. The lowered surfaces make things so much easier for her, but they’re almost impossible to find out in the real (nasty) world. 😯

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. Fatima Fakier avatar
        Fatima Fakier

        It’s great that she is able to be independent, even staying on her own despite the everyday challenges. 🙂

        Like

      2. bearmkwa avatar
        bearmkwa

        I get it, entirely. When I was in the wheelchair, we lived in metro housing… a h-cap unit. Even then, it was hard to reach anything. And at the time, hubby was working 15-18 hours a day. It was hard… good thing I’m so stubbornly independent. I found a way… even if I had to call the FD to get me off the counter a few times… hehe!

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Keith's Ramblings avatar
    Keith’s Ramblings

    Where there’s a will there’s a way. I just hope it didn’t land on his head!

    Here’s my story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Judging from his choice of tool, it probably did!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. neilmacdon avatar
    neilmacdon

    Ingenious! I imagine he hasn’t been in the wheelchair long or he would have learned the need to have everything within reach. So I began to see a story about why a newly disabled person had been left to cope on his own. And so the story exploded outwards

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Maybe newly disabled. Or maybe new at trying to regain his independence, with his disability.
      Thank you, Neil!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. Darnell Cureton avatar
    Darnell Cureton

    Yes! Always more than one way. Great inspiration.
    Nice Fatima.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      With perseverance there’s always solutions. Thank you, Darnell.

      Like

      Reply
      1. Darnell Cureton avatar
        Darnell Cureton

        You’re welcome 😊

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Iain Kelly avatar
    Iain Kelly

    I admire his independence and determination, even in the minor thing of cooking his own dinner.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      So do I 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. pennygadd51 avatar
    pennygadd51

    Great story, Fatima! An original take on the prompt, and a very true-to-life character.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Thank you, Penny 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. rochellewisoff avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Fatima,

    Necessity is the mother of invention they say. I hope he’s able to duck if the colander goes for his head. Good story that shines a light on the challenges facing the disabled.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      I’m glad I was able to provide a different viewpoint on everyday life. Thank you, Rochelle.

      Like

      Reply
  9. granonine avatar
    granonine

    I’m not lame, but I’m short. I have to climb shelves in grocery stores, and at my age and with my crumbly bones that’s a dangerous undertaking. My cane, though, comes in very hand 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Climbing grocery stores shelves is a risky effort for anyone. Those fittings don’t feel very stable. I bet with that cane you can prod things off of shelves!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. granonine avatar
        granonine

        Yes. And many other shoppers, all my life, have been willing to reach things too high for me.

        Liked by 1 person

  10. msjadeli avatar
    msjadeli

    I’m glad he didn’t give up.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      He’s a fighter despite it all.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. Tannille avatar
    Tannille

    He’ll learn. Just takes practice. Enjoyed the take on the prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      He’s finding his way slowly but surely.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. Kelley Farrell avatar
    Kelley Farrell

    Great take on the prompt! It’s amazing how we adapt.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Adaptability is one of how we grow. Thank you, Kelley.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. Dale avatar
    Dale

    I was going to say, who in heaven’s name put it up there out of reach but… if it’s a new situation.
    Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Ha! I had to make the prompt work, Dale. I imagined that he usually lives with his partner, but for some reason today he decides to be a little more independent.

      Like

      Reply
  14. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) avatar
    Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    Oh I pray for the broomstick to work… and for some Pasta al dente

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      If it’s not al dente it isn’t pasta. 🙂

      Like

      Reply

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