The New House
It was a sunny day when the dam was finished. We stood vigil as the water rose over the house down below.
“I’m sorry, Dad. We fought so hard, too.”
I hugged her. “It’ll stay preserved down there, six generations of memories, just under the surface.”
My voice quavered, and she buried her head in my old shoulder and cried.
You have a new house. On a lake. You lucky old fart.
I breathed—the mellow scent of lilacs mixing with the loud aroma of fresh paint—and let the bitterness go, to dance with the sparkles on the water.
The Green-Walled Tower 
April 29th, 2021 at 3:21 am
At the same time sad and optimistic. I love that attitude. Six generations are a lot of memories to be lost. But then, the house wasn’t destroyed through a war, and compnesations doesn’t seem too bad.
May 9th, 2021 at 7:22 pm
It’s one of those bittersweet issues where you are technically still on your land and get a new house out of it and now lakefront property, but it’s also not really your choice. Could be worse, to be sure.
April 29th, 2021 at 4:24 am
In some ways, having your old home under water it a bit like having it in another dimension
May 9th, 2021 at 7:21 pm
Yes, I can see that. Where it is there, so close, but unattainable. I thought about mentioning it being preserved in amber, but I used that image in a story a few months back. Maybe with SCUBA gear you could go back and visit.
April 29th, 2021 at 4:52 am
Sad but positive. Like it!
April 29th, 2021 at 5:50 am
I like this! Very interesting take on the prompt. Good story. Bittersweet, hopeful, the hard lesson of letting go. Love that last sentence.
May 9th, 2021 at 7:20 pm
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
April 29th, 2021 at 3:24 pm
Love that this was a Dale photo on the heels of yours. You make a good team.
I breathed—the mellow scent of lilacs mixing with the loud aroma of fresh paint—and let the bitterness go, to dance with the sparkles on the water.
Real poetry there David. Move over Mr. Keats.
April 29th, 2021 at 5:48 pm
Thank you! Yes, I liked that it was one of Dale’s pictures. I started in China with this story, thinking of how the Three Gorges Dam and others have drowned so many ancient sites, but I decided to narrow the scope since 100 words wasn’t quite enough for that.
May 1st, 2021 at 7:29 am
Not easy, those edited 100 words.
April 29th, 2021 at 5:47 pm
Very sad to be taken from their home with no choice. It’s best for him to let the bitterness go. Beautifully written!
May 9th, 2021 at 7:18 pm
Thank you, Brenda and sorry it’s taken so long to reply. I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
May 1st, 2021 at 11:25 am
I wonder how many thousands (millions?) have been displaced by dam projects? Maybe nice to have a new place but the old place now underwater is where his heart is 😦
May 9th, 2021 at 7:11 pm
I’m not sure but probably a lot. I know in China there are many since the affected areas are more densely populated and they are building tons of dams these days, trying to move away from fossil fuels. But there is always a cost. Thanks for reading. 🙂
May 9th, 2021 at 9:07 pm
You are very welcome.
May 1st, 2021 at 12:45 pm
That was a lovely write, David. And must agree with Susannah, that last line was pure poetry. Yes, it is sad that six generations of memories are under water but I like his turn around in attitude.
May 9th, 2021 at 7:10 pm
It would be a difficult situation, to be sure, or anyone else who has lost their land because of eminent domain. I tried to leave it on a positive note. Thanks for your comment.
-David
May 9th, 2021 at 8:31 pm
Ya done good! 🙂
May 2nd, 2021 at 6:26 am
Dear David,
Love his attitude. And I agree that your last paragraph is sheer poetry. Bravo!
Shalom,
Rochelle
May 9th, 2021 at 7:07 pm
Thanks, Rochelle. I appreciate your words. Sorry I haven’t been able to read more stories this week. I don’t like to post a story unless I have time to read others but I do what I can.
May 3rd, 2021 at 10:33 am
When pragmatism meets sentimentality. Well told from both their perspectives.