Well, it’s been a crazy week. I’m sure you’ve all had them. When you say you’re going to do certain things and then they just don’t happen. That’s how it’s been. I was lucky enough to attend the fabulous Orange County RWA Chapter meeting last Saturday and listen to the amazing Christine Ashworth and Jessica Brody talk. The bonus, I got time with my RWA (Romance Writers of America) and WANA (We Are Not Alone) buds (Tameri, Kate, Jenny, Bethany, and Christine, to name a few). Woo hoo!
When I got home, baby girl got sick. I cuddled and hung with her for the next few days. No blogging or social media. When she finally felt well enough to go back to school, (don’t think she didn’t try to work it. Because if she was too sick to go to school, then she would be too sick for a trip to Disneyland this weekend to celebrate her birthday. She had to fess up to the truth. She loves Minnie Mouse.) I wanted to crawl under the covers and nap for a day ‒ so I did. It was nice. 😀 That’s why the blogging schedule is off this week. The intended Tuesday post didn’t get out and I’ve decided to post Friday’s a day early. Lucky you! Hehe.
Welcome to another installment of Friday Fictioneers. The goal: write a 100 word fiction (exactly) based on the picture prompt provided. New participates are always encouraged to join in on the fun. Visit Rochelle for future prompts. She’s the one keeping us all organized. She’s also the cool owner of today’s picture. Thank you, Rochelle.
~Henry~
Where: Trinkets & Treasures Curio Shop When: 1916
“Please, Mama.”
“Henry, no.” She pushed the crayons towards him. “Play with these. I need to make a quick call. Okay, baby?”
Henry sighed and began to doodle. Grabbing the phone she turned her back on the counter. The curio shop door bell rang. Vivi waved to Mr. Hanshaw. “Be but a moment.”
Call finished, she turned and pulled Henry’s art closer. “Oh no. Why did you scribble on the Bradsworth portrait?” She looked up. “Henry?” No answer.
Panic.
“Henry? Mr. Hanshaw, have you seen‒”
A sympathetic look. “Vivi, you forget your medicine today? Henry’s been gone five years now.”
(100 words)
~oOo~
Hope you enjoyed this rendition of Friday Fictioneers. There are many more talented writers participating. The number of links included grow by the day. To read more just click on the happy little frog. He’ll take you to all the shared stories for this week.
Thanks for stopping by! I appreciate your support and love hearing what you have to say.
LOVE this post! And it was great seeing you on Saturday, woman. Hugs!
It was great seeing you! I’ll do my best to be there Sunday, assuming Saturday at Disneyland doesn’t kill me. LOL. Oh! Thank you for loving my little flash fiction.
I loved that one! Kinda creepy 🙂
Yep. Henry can be read multiple ways. So creepy fits. Hehe. Thanks, Rebecca.
Makes me think of that movie ‘Dream House’ with Daniel Craig. Well done, Debra.
I haven’t see it, but now I think I might have to. Thanks for stopping by, JK.
I did enjoy! ViVi must have used the crayons… Eerieness in 100 Words!
Oh please, you can’t possible expect us to believe that you went two days without checking facebook or seeing how many new ‘likes’ were on your blog… or, if I had made any new pithy comments.
Were they full of pith?
Pith and vinegar? 🙂
You guys slay me…
You got me, Ted. Since I found you wandering around on FB I can’t seem to stay away. Your pithy comments and posts make my day.
Ack, Janet beat me to it. Are we obvious or what?
I love reading strings of comments like this. Makes me feel a little less goofy about all the times I’ve said such things in real life, only to have people look at me like I didn’t get the “How To Behave in Public” memo.
That’s one possibility. 😉
Nice twist at the end – gave me the shivers 🙂
Thanks, Ela. Sounds like I achieved what I set out to do.
Always a fun challenge and always you rise to meet it! Good job.
Sorry the kiddo was sick. I’ve been a little under the weather myself and in fact stayed home one day this week and under the covers – well mostly under the covers. Unfortunately I won’t get the benefit of a trip to Disneyland as a treat. (sigh)
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
I’m sorry you were under the weather. I hope you’re feeling better. I’m glad you took the time off to rest. You need to listen to the body. You’re welcome to zip down to Disneyland this weekend for a treat. I’ll be there on Saturday! Is there a chance you’ll be at the SoCal RWA in March? I finally got registered.
Unfortunately I won’t be able to make it to the SoCalRWA in March. Our own chapter here in Sacramento has a 3-day retreat planned for May in Tahoe so I’m saving to attend that. I guess I should sort of be there since I’m the President and all, but money is a wee bit tight right now. I vote that the Prez goes for free!
I’ll keep your chapter in mind for the future. Would love to hook up with some of you southern California WANA gals.
P
Wonderful. Human and real. Great job!
Ooh! Thanks, Kent.
Wow, I didn’t see the ending coming – what a great twist!
Glad you think so. That’s the kind of comment I like. ^_^
Nice, Debra. I was waiting for the paranormal twist…good one!
Mine: http://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2013/01/17/friday-fictioneers-uncle-waldo-genre-humorous/
Scott
Thank you, Scott. There could be a paranormal twist to this, or not, depending on how you chose to look at it.
Oh, given the choice – I chose paranormal.
I saw the other.
😀 I enjoy that choice.
Sad.
🙁 Sorry that I made you sad. But I will admit it is written to read that way. Even if I didn’t intend it that way at the time I wrote it.
Oh wow…didn’t see that coming, very well done
Thanks so much, Boomie!
that’s an amazing twist…it could even go two ways, either it’s really really sad.. or really really spooky ^^ great story
Yes, It could be one of those stories with a pick option A or B to continue. 😀 Does Vivi need a doctor’s help or a psychic? Thanks, Kz.
found it very sad than creepy..very well written
That’s so nice of you to say. Thank you.
Debra
You can go in a few directions with this, nice work.
Tom
Thank you, Tom.
Very nice, Debra. I did not see that one coming either. It is a little creepy, but overall, sad to me.
Yes, either way you look at the short, it’s sad. Poor Vivi. Thank you, Bumble.
I really need to STOP trying to catch up on blog reading in the middle of the night, lol. I think you nailed creepy here. My first thoughts were The Shining, and some movie I have a very vague memory of called Audrey Rose or something. Both of them scared the snot out of me. Good job. Glad your monkey is better, and have fun at Disney this weekend! 🙂
Maybe it’s the flash fiction you should avoid in the middle of the night. 😉 Hmm, makes me wonder if you would like the current story I am working on. Audrey Rose made a huge impression on me as a child. That had to do with the reincarnation of a young girl that died in a fire. It was so sad. I don’t think I’d compare this piece to The Shinning, but thanks for that awesome compliment. Monkey is feeling much better. Too bad for the cat. LOL.
Now that was spooky and unexpected. Nice one.
Thanks so much, Sandra.
Dear Debra,
The good comments have been taken. Suffice it to say that I really enjoyed this piece right down to the surprise ending.
We have a regular customer at our store that Vivi puts me in mind of. Well done and glad your baby’s on the mend.
shalom,
Rochelle
Great ending, Debra. I caught me off guard. Losing a small child would drive most of us crazy.
It’s a tough one, I’ll give you that, Russell. That’s why they have so many wonderful programs to help people going through the grieving process. Poor Vivi needed to go as far as meds. Thanks for the great compliment.
Oh! For a moment I thought the child had been stolen, but you had a different twist in mind.
Great work!
Hey Abraham! I had to fish your comment out of my spam. Sorry about that. 🙁 Bad spam. Thanks for your fabulous words. They make me feel all warm and fuzzy. 😀
I love the twists you always put on tbese!
Thanks, Jennette. I have a twisty mind I do. LOL.
I read it that Henry’s coming back, and that’s a good thing. May be a bit spooky along the way though, Nicely done!
Thank you, Perry. There are a few ways to read this. None of them are wrong. I left it open to interpretation.
I love the ones with a twist and this one is twisted! It could be a ghost or she has hallucination problems….nice!
So great that you got to see everyone!
Twisty, it is. 🙂
It was wonderful to see everyone. You should live out here in Cali. You’d have more opportunity to meet up with all the crazy writer buds.
Thanks Debra!
I love the change of seasons, but will come again soon!
I totally get that. And we look forward to your next visit.
Thanks! I’ll let you know! Hopefully this year some time. 🙂
I work with elders who can at times be in this space. You captured it well.
Thanks so much. I appreciate the comment.
Hi Debra,
I can relate. I’m off my meds most of the time, especially when I’m writing comments. Good twist ending! Ron
I go on and off my meds all the time. It’s nice to know I’m in good company. 😉 Thanks, Ron.
Ack! I literally – and I use that word literally – had my hand over my mouth for several seconds after reading this. (In case you’re keeping score, I went with the non-paranormal explanation that Henry was kidnapped – perhaps by someone who came into the store – and Vivi, not being on her meds, had slipped into a delusional reliving of the day he disappeared).
Wow. Really? I’m not keeping score. 😉 I went through many phases while writing this. I thought he had died and she had trouble accepting that. He’d been kidnapped, again-trouble accepting. Both of which she required meds for. Finally, he really was a ghost. I hadn’t made a decision which way the story went. Maybe I should have put a pole up and let everyone else decide for me. LOL.
Awww.. So sad. Feel for Vivi. Captivating story and didn’t imagine it would end like this.
Sad, yes. I’m glad you found it captivating and surprising. Thanks for stopping by.
Good, spooky tale. Nice twist. Well done.
Aw, thanks! *Blushes*
Very eerie! Have a terrific time at Disneyland today!
I can make a pretty good guess which way you would go with this story. 😉 We had a fantastic time at Disneyland. Just got back. The birthday girl feel asleep as soon as we got to the car. Long day for her. But she was excited to finally be tall enough to ride Space Mountain. She now wants to wait till she taller to do it again. LOL!
Awww, sweet! I do miss Disneyland. I’m so glad you and your family had an awesome time.
Oh how sad, but I recon that the comfy blanket of denial is needed.
Sometimes it is. Facing reality isn’t always the easiest thing to do. Thanks, Bjorn.
Aww, that’s sad.
Yeah, it is. Should I say sorry?
Nope.
Okay, good. 🙂
When reading your story I thought of the problems associated with Alzheimer. You have done a great job capturing a broad audience.
I am not unfamiliar with Alzheimer’s. It’s a sad disease that takes without prejudice or bias. Thank you for your comment. It means a lot to me, YJ.
You are welcome.
why did he scribble on the portrait? because it was there! that’s how children work. well done.
Exactly. Thanks, Rich.
I’m intrigued by this post and would like more info about what you are doing and how I might participate but not until WITCOE is published. How long will this be happening? Thanks Debra for the info. L&P jaki
You can join at any time, Jaki. There’s no rush. The Friday Fictioneers is an ongoing thing. By the way, I love that title – White Is The Color of Evil. Very cool.
Excellent twist. Loved it. Stopped by from Susie’s.
Thank you, Allison! Susie throws the best parties, doesn’t she? I just adore her. Thank so much for swinging by.
Stopped in from Susie’s party. Great atmosphere and hint of melancholy in only 100 words!
Thanks, Steve! May I say you have a great gravatar? Fabulous! I appreciate you coming by. 😀
Glad to hear your household is finally feeling better. As for your story…well done! It left me feeling a bit sad. It reminded me a bit of the song “She Calls Me Raymond” by Brett Eldridge.
Thank you, Kitt. I have your page from the party open waiting to read. The kids pulled me away to watch LOTR last night. We’ve been watching a little bit each night. Yep, that’s the kind of parent I am. Send them to bed with nightmares and dreams of greatness. LOL. I’m glad you liked the story. I haven’t ready “She Calls Me Raymond.” You now have me very intrigued. I’ll have to look into it.
I saw a show on 30 Rock Center last night about a woman whose three girls were killed when her sister-in-law drove drunk while babysitting. Apparently, she went through the same thing and would wake in a panic in the middle of the night looking for her children,. She would call her friends thinking they must be on sleepovers. I had to turn it off. It was too hard to watch!
Great twist Debra!
Thanks for bringing it to the party! Sorry you were sick. Sometimes it’s not a bad thing to take a break… 🙂
I saw that same show! It was horrible. To think her last memory of them will always be those phone calls. The panic of knowing something is wrong and she couldn’t do anything about it. It’s enough to drive a mother mad.
Glad you liked my twist. I picked something short for the party. Maybe I’ll pick an Immortal Monday next time. I haven’t been very good at planning for event lately. Thanks for throwing the party!