Sunday Photo Fiction is a weekly challenge presented by my old friend Al Forbes.
The idea is to write a short story (200 word max) inspired by what you see in his picture (below).
Which reminds me of my last visit to Italy, and the car parks there.
Just kidding, amici miei!
Click on this link to enter your tale, and see what others have written.
Copyright Al Forbes
Boy Racer
She watches with mixed emotions as the last of his cars is towed away.
It seems that her whole world is changing.
She puts her hand protectively across her stomach, feels the little feet kicking inside her.
Boy racer junior, she thinks, wondering if he will turn out to be anything like his father.
He is the reason that the apartment is sold, of course.
We need a bigger place, she had said, laughing, with a nursery!
One more race, he had answered her, with his usual confidence, just one more race will pay for it.
It was their first home, full of so many memories.
Some hard times, some good times, lots of plans, and dreams of their future.
And now it is just one of the three huge changes in her life.
She feels the tears start to form again, shakes her head.
Hormones, she says to herself, pull yourself together, you have lots to do.
Arms come round her from behind, clasping her own to her stomach.
He kisses her ear.
No regrets, sweetheart, he says, and, in his best suit, strides off to work.
Another great story. He can always go back to racing….Life has many twists and turns. Just like a story
The double life – no race car, but a Dick Tracy watch phone or a Get Smart Shoe phone?
At least he walked away from the wrecked car, but can he dodge bullets too?
🙂
Mine’s at my long verse site this week. ‘Letting Go’ (9.27/Sept 27)
I changed the icon so it should take you there…
Ugh, what a horrible fate. Once a racer, now… probably Insurance Salesman. Poor guy.
Shh, don’t tell anyone, Dave, but he is in fact a double-o secret agent.
And a happy bunny.
Oh I had a terrible feeling about this, but I’m glad the ending was so different from what I was expecting. The little one will grow up with both Mummy and Daddy — what a relief!
Oh come on, Lyn, this blog has the strap line:
Nothing is quite what it seems.
You should know by now to expect the unexpected!
I should shouldn’t I 🙂
I had exactly the same fears as Lyn. I love a happy ending.
Sadly, my dear sir, he gets no further than the bus stop when he is obliterated by a passing train, the 8.12 from Kilmarnock, which is, as everyone knows, in the wrong place at the wrong time on a pretty consistent basis.
Really? My goodness, nothing is quite what it seems after all. Based on what I’d heard about the local train service, I’d have thought a lingering death from old age at some platform was the way he’d go.
Downtown Auchenshuggle is a dangerous place for incautious commuters, sir.
Rumour has it that the Lost Legion is still wandering there, looking for a road that leads to Rome.
Intrigued by the name, I tried to look Auchenshuggle on Google Maps. It took me a while to find it. I’m not quite sure what I was expecting — perhaps discarded umbrellas and old newspapers next to the bleached bones of unfortunate commuters. Instead, I found myself on a nice sunny day next to a McDonalds and “Arnold Clark Motorstore” in the city of Glasgow. It looked quite leafy. I hunted round for a bit using those little arrows you get on Google Maps, but I couldn’t find the Lost Legion anywhere. Perhaps they were never really lost at all but just snuck back to Rome when the emperor wasn’t looking.
Usually life choices that start with ‘just one more time’ do not have a happy ending?
Usually, but not always, Roger,
This is almost a collector’s item, a happy ever after on my blog!
This is GREAT! Love the twist at the end! So glad he made the “right” decision!! 🙂
So happy that you enjoyed, Courtney.
Kind words much appreciated.
Nice twist at the end there 🙂
You must be expecting this by now, Angie!
True!
Thank you for the happy ending!
You are very welcome.
Sometimes the reverse twist works best.
That one gave me goosebumps. I’m glad it had a happy ending.
Goosebumps are cool!
I am glad you are glad, dear lady.
Nice ending. I was headed for the kill. Glad he’s still with her.
This blog has the strap line:
Nothing is quite what it seems.
You should know by now to expect the unexpected!
The unexpected is what keeps me coming back.
Perhaps, Phyllis, you should consider my book, Medville Matters.
It has quite a bit of the unexpected in its stories!
Dear Ce,
It sounds like his life is changing as well. Children have a way of doing that, don’t they? You did surprise me as I was waiting for the crash and the dead husband. Sweet sigh of relief.
Shalom,
Rochelle
You should know better, oh smart one.
This blog has the strap line:
Nothing is quite what it seems.
You should know by now to expect the unexpected!
Loved it and you surprised me! ‘Specially coming from you…😉
This blog has the strap line:
Nothing is quite what it seems.
You should know by now to expect the unexpected!
And no boy racers, wives or unborn children were hurt in the production of this story.
😀 don’t I know it!
I also was expecting the worst at the end – nice turn!
This blog has the strap line:
Nothing is quite what it seems.
You should know by now to expect the unexpected!
Wonderful story! And, of course, I love the ending…especially when I was expecting the worst. Great take on the prompt.
This blog has the strap line:
Nothing is quite what it seems.
You should know by now to expect the unexpected!
Great story CE! I am assuming since he left for work in a suit then his racing days are over and he won the race that payed for their new apartment. You set up a realistic scene!
Thank you, Joy, you got it spot on.
Thanks C.E.!
Things aren’t going to end well for him there methinks. Sounds like a gambler “one more bet, that will pay for it”. I like it
You are so cynical, Al!
Look above you, the ladies all get it!
Reblogged this on anelephantcant and commented:
AnElephantCant be a boy racer
Although his talent is clearly quite vast
He can handle a car
Like a veritable star
But he gets feart if he goes too fast