The Reflection

He must have stood for quite some time in front of the missing person's photo, because his feet were starting to feel numb. But he couldn't help it. He was sure that the missing person in the picture reminded him of someone he once knew. Those big brown eyes, the pointed nose. Even the ears looked familiar. He shook his head and, with some effort, moved his stiff limbs. He had a sudden crave for something sweet. He hadn't had something sweet in a long time. Maybe the kind young man in the corner shop could spare him a candy bar.

 Yet, the young man seemed hesitant as he was handing him the bar of chocolate. He said something about too much chocolate being bad for someone his age, since this candy bar was the tenth he had given him that day. Nonsense. The boy must have him confused with someone else. After all, he hadn't had something sweet in  a long time.

 Out of the corner shop, he caught his reflection at the window. And, for a second, he froze. He was sure he had seen that face before. The old man staring back at him with those big brown eyes, the pointed nose, even the ears looked familiar. But the person that came back to his mind was younger, much younger. He stood there for some time, motionless, candy bar at hand, until his limbs felt stiff. With some effort, he moved forward, past a missing person's photo. Suddenly, he felt a crave for something sweet. He hadn't had something sweet in a long time.

Reviews

[alanwgraham]

Wow! You have suggested a lot in this short story without telling too much. The photo of someone familiar. The familiar reflection reminding him of someone younger. The craving for something sweet but forgetting that he had some. it all adds up but to what. Someone missing, with a memory problem, someone old. Its good that you have left it open. You might like to look at my poem 'The Field' on a similar theme (on one of my first pages).
Well done for this excellent piece,
Alan

[Ms Paragon]

Thank you for your encouraging comment!I am glad you enjoyed the story. Your poem "the Field" is powerful and eloquently written. The man's effort in every step he takes and the loss of sense of time is very prominent throughout the poem and indeed similar to the theme in my story.Thank you again for your comment!I really appreciate it!

[alanwgraham]

Great and thanks for reading the Field. Dementia is a scary outlook but keeping fit and your brain active helps a lot.
regards,
Alan

[Akash gaikwad]

I think most of the reviews has said that you write amazingly. You create a really good build up which makes the reader eager to know what will happen in the end. Also the details that you add one can easily imagine scenarios. Thanks for sharing.☺

[Ms Paragon]

Thank you for taking the time to read and the thoughtful review! I'm glad you liked it!

[Gabriel Young]

Very simple but powerful. Flow is great, details are well written. I picture this to be someone with Alzheimer disease that has wandered away from their home and are now lost. Got the chills when I read the third paragraph, very moving short writing. Thanks so much for sharing!

[Ms Paragon]

Thank you very much for your kind review!I appreciate it!

[Nathan Spark]

I have been exploring the concept of writing scenes like you often do. I enjoy reading your material. Thank you!

[Ms Paragon]

Thank you for the encouraging comment!I appreciate it!

[Neville]

Blimey, if I interpreted this correctly, if indeed there is ever such a thing.... these words of Ms Paragons just sent a shiver along the length of my spine.......... smashing little read, a great little wright....Neville

[Ms Paragon]

Thank you so much for your kind words!I appreciate the thoughtful review and your time to read and comment.I am so glad you liked it!

[Neville]

my pleasure entirely... Neville

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful short story. I liked how you used the reflection in the story. A Mirror, can be a blessing and a haunting memory. Thank you Ms Paragon for sharing the amazing story.
Coyote

[Ms Paragon]

Thank you for the encouraging review and for taking the time to read and comment!

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful short story and you are welcome Ms. Paragon.