Here’s my entry to the “Money Can’t Buy” prompt.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
“A compliment can buy things money can’t.”
“Buy what, exactly?” spat Ryan. “I can’t eat your kindness.”
But the old pilot was far away, loitering near the border between life and the hereafter. Ryan tired of his words, but he knew he would miss them when the only voice was his own.
The crash happened days ago. Perhaps weeks.
“Mother?”
“She isn’t here,” said Ryan. “No one is here.”
“Mother, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” He sounded different, scared.
“It’s okay,” Ryan lied. “I forgive you.”
The old man’s breath halted, stopped. Glassy eyes stared past Ryan.
“I forgive you.”
Which came first the pic or the story?
Such a sad story. Very well written.