Thank you so much for this beguiling short story and also sharing how it came to mind. Very clever.
I kind of knew she would head for the water when he left for the gloves :) but I never thought for one minute she would return again! The power of the sea could be that real eh? Well in my mind anyway ;) What a starter for a longer adventure to go get that Robert Thurston!
We met a beautiful, elegant and very wealthy American lady when we rented in Spain 15 years ago. She was already 90 by then and one of the first land buyers and developers in Spain in this area during the late 40-50's and had led a truly glamorous life throughout the Franco era here. When we met her she was by then quite batty but so amazing to talk to and had collected amazing artwork. She too was sadly taken for a ride in many ways by people here who suddenly became 'friends' at the end of life and took her wealth. And your description of Tuuli immediately brought Dorothy to mind!
I have never written a short story since school days so maybe I should try. Thanks for the inspiration!
It’s a sadly common problem, I think, especially when older wealthy/eccentric folks don’t have someone they trust to look out for their interests as they age. Thank you for telling us about Dorothy - she sounds like a hoot!
I’m always going to say that if folks are feeling drawn to write a short story, they absolutely must. Give it a try! You never know what might come out!
Oh - ok, one thing - there was a little bit of the uncanny for me when I got to the bit when she says she wants to see the ocean one last time, because that very wish was already going to become a part of my dystopian serial (the weird one with older me in it) - hopefully when I come to write that part, if I can make it half as wonderful and poignant as you have in this story then I shall be well satisfied.
One of the real poignancies in your story was the colder time of year and the dark, constant cloud cover and the lack of a moon (or stars). Although I adored that line about when she slipped beneath the waves like a setting moon.
With the Scandinavian thing, and the guy's name being Martin, I did have a bit of a flash of Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - which, obviously, is nothing like Elma. But hey, these are the strange associations habitual to strange minds.
Anyway, it was a truly wonderful, flawlessly written story, this one. Thank you very much for sharing it with us, Sally.
Wow, I mean like WOW! And perfect as it is... your instincts, as usual, are spot on S.El. Every reader already has settled accounts with that malefactor in their own way, I know I have...
I enjoyed what's beneath the quiet in this story, all the things unsaid while being said. Tuuli, to me, is a figure of rage, while Martin is the temperance for that rage. She has returned with youth, with the years stolen from her, returned as an emissary, sent by the old woman who disappeared into the ocean. She had no advocate, so she returns to advocate for herself. The mood, the setting, the popping seams of restraint, you have done some good work here.
The moment Martin runs back and finds the beach empty — that dread hit me in the chest. But the ending with Tuuli reborn and calling herself Elma felt like the story getting exactly what it deserved. The note about Helmi Juvonen made me go look her up immediately.
Super, S.E. Your description of Tuuli at the beach and her request for gloves told me she planned to walk into the sea forever. I didn't expect her to walk out reborn as a young woman! The author's note at the end added another layer of meaning to this excellent story.
Tuuli and Martin should move to Ferris Island. 😄
True! The islanders wouldn’t bat an eye. 😂
Thanks for reading, Richard!
Thank you so much for this beguiling short story and also sharing how it came to mind. Very clever.
I kind of knew she would head for the water when he left for the gloves :) but I never thought for one minute she would return again! The power of the sea could be that real eh? Well in my mind anyway ;) What a starter for a longer adventure to go get that Robert Thurston!
We met a beautiful, elegant and very wealthy American lady when we rented in Spain 15 years ago. She was already 90 by then and one of the first land buyers and developers in Spain in this area during the late 40-50's and had led a truly glamorous life throughout the Franco era here. When we met her she was by then quite batty but so amazing to talk to and had collected amazing artwork. She too was sadly taken for a ride in many ways by people here who suddenly became 'friends' at the end of life and took her wealth. And your description of Tuuli immediately brought Dorothy to mind!
I have never written a short story since school days so maybe I should try. Thanks for the inspiration!
It’s a sadly common problem, I think, especially when older wealthy/eccentric folks don’t have someone they trust to look out for their interests as they age. Thank you for telling us about Dorothy - she sounds like a hoot!
I’m always going to say that if folks are feeling drawn to write a short story, they absolutely must. Give it a try! You never know what might come out!
Thank you for reading! ❤
Thanks I will.
Wonderful! I’m so happy that Tuuli gets a second chance and that she has a friend like Martin to help. The best kind of magic…
Oh what a beautiful, exquisite piece of writing this is! I hardly need say any more than that.
Oh - ok, one thing - there was a little bit of the uncanny for me when I got to the bit when she says she wants to see the ocean one last time, because that very wish was already going to become a part of my dystopian serial (the weird one with older me in it) - hopefully when I come to write that part, if I can make it half as wonderful and poignant as you have in this story then I shall be well satisfied.
One of the real poignancies in your story was the colder time of year and the dark, constant cloud cover and the lack of a moon (or stars). Although I adored that line about when she slipped beneath the waves like a setting moon.
With the Scandinavian thing, and the guy's name being Martin, I did have a bit of a flash of Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - which, obviously, is nothing like Elma. But hey, these are the strange associations habitual to strange minds.
Anyway, it was a truly wonderful, flawlessly written story, this one. Thank you very much for sharing it with us, Sally.
Beautiful! And we know of another tormented artist who was once in Grayland too. ❤️
Eat the rich, Tuuli! Go get him!
Wow, I mean like WOW! And perfect as it is... your instincts, as usual, are spot on S.El. Every reader already has settled accounts with that malefactor in their own way, I know I have...
Good fiction always begin with a kernel of truth.
I enjoyed what's beneath the quiet in this story, all the things unsaid while being said. Tuuli, to me, is a figure of rage, while Martin is the temperance for that rage. She has returned with youth, with the years stolen from her, returned as an emissary, sent by the old woman who disappeared into the ocean. She had no advocate, so she returns to advocate for herself. The mood, the setting, the popping seams of restraint, you have done some good work here.
loved this — "call me Elma" gave me chills. great work!
The moment Martin runs back and finds the beach empty — that dread hit me in the chest. But the ending with Tuuli reborn and calling herself Elma felt like the story getting exactly what it deserved. The note about Helmi Juvonen made me go look her up immediately.
Super, S.E. Your description of Tuuli at the beach and her request for gloves told me she planned to walk into the sea forever. I didn't expect her to walk out reborn as a young woman! The author's note at the end added another layer of meaning to this excellent story.
A beautiful and beautifully-written tale. I love your reason for writing it, although it's terribly sad.
Loved this. I would read it as a serial about her getting her revenge!