PHOTO PROMPT © Jennifer Pendergast
Between 54 ½ and 71 ½
I tell each adventurer:
You won’t find it on any paper map or gps.
You can reach it when conditions are just-so.
You must dress in a particular way to be acknowledged.
You must step in the right place on the right step.
You must understand that you may never come back.
They never turn around and walk away.
I help them through.
Most return. They are changed; but they don’t remember.
I’ve been there. I know.
If they remembered…
Why do I do what I do?
I wait here at the portal, hoping one day you walk back through.
[100 words]
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
I loved your story Lisa. It’s got a labyrinth-ine quality to it. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks much, Geeta. I like that term for it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Li, I like Geeta’s term too: “labyrinth-ine quality”
LikeLiked by 2 people
Glad you like it, Yvette :)
LikeLike
Two portals with very different stories. Nicely done, Lisa :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dale, thanks so much. I was surprised to see this was not one of your pics, considering where it is!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
So many people waits at so many portals for the same thing. Alas.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This one transcends time. So many get through when the conditions are met in just one moment… Thanks for reading, James, and for your comment.
LikeLike
I’m not sure waiting at a portal is going to do your narrator any good, but I suppose it’s a living, and those are hard to come by these days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jen, you are probably right. The narrator finds a way to keep hope alive, which many of us struggle with.
That’s a great pic of yours. I was reading on this place and sounds like a wonderful place to visit.
LikeLike
It’s a beautiful city, and has a lot to offer summer and winter. You do have to be ready for the hills and stairs though!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh that’s heart-wrenching and nicely done
LikeLiked by 1 person
Neil, thank you <3
LikeLike
A portal? Time travel? Intriguing story, Lisa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nancy, I’m not quite sure what it is. Thanks for reading and glad you find the story intriguing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A pleasure, Li.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does appear like a portal… kind of like in Harry Potter?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I think it is a portal. Not sure about Harry Potter as I know nothing about him or his world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nor do I, other than the address with a half number, near a train station or something. I didn’t read the books but endured one of the flicks for family pizza and movie night many years ago.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah! An address with half a number explains why you thought what you thought.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, yeah… that’s it! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those between places are always potent. (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
YES! That’s exactly what came to mind when I saw this image.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like your story Lisa but sadly the outcome doesn’t look too promising ☹️
LikeLiked by 1 person
<3 Ange, she is probably still waiting…
LikeLiked by 1 person
😕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awww…sweet story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Dawn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A sci-fi love story with a twist. Amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
=) thanks, Will!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great title to pull from the photo and gosh – after reading this, this entryway does look like a portal and get through – and then when the conditions are met (attire, right step, etc) hmmm
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Yvette, for your wondering.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds so intriguing, I almost want to go there. Exciting read, Lisa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks much, Joy :)
LikeLike
I enjoyed the mystery, I can just imagine standing there and deciding which way to go. Go left to 54 1/2 or right to 71 1/2, which way? Is there a better world waiting for me?
LikeLiked by 1 person
James, I appreciate your take on the story. Glad it got you wondering.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very lovely story Li.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Sadje <3
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome
LikeLiked by 1 person
Better than ever, Lisa. I’ve missed reading your stories. It’s good to be back :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
<3 Linda <3 Welcome Back! Thanks, my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s good to BE back. I’ve missed it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
wonderful Li :-) brilliantly creative!
LikeLiked by 1 person
CA, thank you :)
LikeLike
You have me feeling ready for Christmas again. I do miss the lights.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gia, who says you can’t put your Christmas lights up again? Go for it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁😂!! I can’t do it! But eventually, I will have an all-year-round Christmas room in my home, and go there to escape from time to time. 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh fabulous… a portal, but sad since someone is still waiting…
Love it, Li!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chris, she probably sits there with a cup of warm chai and a good book :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now that sounds perfect!
LikeLiked by 1 person
<3 :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Lisa,
I’d love to know the ensuing stories out of this pep talk. Perfect portal piece for the picture.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 2 people
Rochelle, thank you for your always lovely and encouraging comments <3
Shalom,
Lisa
LikeLike
An intriguing story, Lisa. I loved the bittersweet twist at the end.
LikeLiked by 1 person
love your term “bittersweet twist”. I feel like I could build a bigger story around this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, absolutely, that concept has a lot of potential.
LikeLiked by 1 person
:)
LikeLike
Ooooooo this is brilliant
Well done
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you <3
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent ending, Lisa. I felt a shiver of sadness. Hoping they walk back through!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too, Brenda. Thank you for your always thoughtful comments.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooooooooooo! I wanna try!
LikeLiked by 1 person
V, I believe you would, being the adventurer that you are. See you there! :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh! I like this. It feels like the tip of a potentially enormous literary universe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nobbin, I think so also! Like the restaurant at the end of the universe, maybe the pastry shoppe at the portal?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Make sure you bring a towel. My first book, The L Squad, has earned me multiple comparisons to Douglas Adams. I actually wrote it before I knew who he was. We just have a similar sense of humor. He cheated by writing Hitchhiker’s Guide before I was born.
LikeLiked by 1 person
:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
i suppose it’s worth a try. count me in. :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
:)
LikeLiked by 1 person