Friday Fictioneers is hosted by the wonderful Rochelle, the undisputed master of what I call Sound Bite Fiction.
She sets the weekly challenge, and the standard.
This week’s photo is by Dawn M. Miller, a superior writer and, indeed, a superior lady.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on this picture, below.
© Dawn M. Miller
Click here to hear the writer read his words:
Parallel Lives
We were born on the same day.
He in a private clinic, me in a grubby back room.
While still children, we travelled often.
He in luxury to exotic locations, me from one foster home to the next.
We went away to school.
He to an ancient and expensive seat of learning, me to a government-approved institution.
We made our way in the world.
His name opened doors, my handgun opened wallets.
Our lives ended on the same day.
His when he was stabbed through the heart, mine when they caught me, bloody knife in hand, taking his wallet.
Love the way the two lives were intertwined from the get go of the story! And the way it came full circle from birth to death! Great read!
I love the way this came full circle.
And thanks for the intro, you are too kind.
The way of the world a clash of the classes. Very French.
Queen or pauper, wealthy or not, when ones time is up its time to go. A neat comparison of two lifestyles
I recently saw an obituary in the paper of a man who shared the same birth date as I. Not sure how he died. Someone said he was reading a blog and just fell over dead.
Was it you, Russell?
Is this your subtle way of breaking the news that you have popped your clogs, gone to pastures greener, shuffled off the old mortal, etc, etc?
Round and round we go. Love this!
Thanks, Violet
Well hell’s bells for whom it all tolls. Great job C.E.
What a great comment!
Thank you, ma’am
😀
Good idea to take the parallel tracks as your inspiration for two lives. Truly, much of our life is determined by the dumb luck of where we were born and who our parents were.
Thanks, Penny. And you are right, of course, for millions of children across the world being born is not a blessing, but a curse to be endured with minimal hope.
Two live running parallel, may be met in afterlife.
Ah, that is beyond my knowledge, sir!
An epic ‘couple’, just non-romantic for a change 🙂
No romance indeed, sir!
When the last moment of truth touches us, everyone ends on the same spot…
I really like what this tale says about living and status and endings.
Very true, Magaly, but is it not about how we get there?
It certainly is!
So. I have to admit. That I don’t usually listen to your posts. I like reading. But this one. Your reading of it was so skillful (and, I liked the accent because I’m a silly amurcan). I liked that their lives were indirectly entwined even to the end. Well done!
Sometimes, Sascha, I wonder if the readings are worthwhile, so thanks for this.
The accent is, of course, totally fake.
I come from Alabama.
Love the contrasts you expose in this piece.
Thank you, Jo
I can’t help but be curious about the perspective of his “twin”. Perhaps I am a cynic, but I wonder if he ended up a cad too in his own way.
Silver spoon, private school, etc, probably a Tory.
So I don’t think you are a cynic.
In the end maybe all those differences don’t make a difference. the soil is the same six feet under.
Depends what is important, the journey or the destination
A hand gun that opens wallets. What a graphic phrase. A great illustration of lines of travel in life.
Happy you enjoyed, Jilly
Wonderful story! Love the contrast between the two lives.
Very kind, thanks
I like where you took the parallel lines of the railroad tracks and made the lives collide.
Thanks, Alicia, that jumped out at me
Comparison/contrast at its best. And the ending? So sad. A lose/lose.
Thank you, ma’am
Lovely contrasting.
Thank you, Lisa
Linked on opposite sides, starting and ending together. Brilliant!
Thank you, Brenda
Forever linked. Nice write.
Thanks, Trent
Thanks.
A Tale of Two Lives in 100 words – would make a great movie.
Have a wee word in QT’s ear, will you, Iain?
I keep calling, he always seems to be busy…
Lines 1-3 and 5-11 were brilliant too! So, they departed on the same day – one went up and one went down presumably.
Thanks, Keith.
Can’t tell, ran out of words!
Born and died on the same day. Good contrasts between the two.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you, m’lady
I agree with Sandra. The fourth line was a gem. Superbly written Ceayr.
Thanks, Neel
That fourth from the end line is a cracker! Good one, CE. Very nicely paced.
Thank you, Sandra, much appreciated
he should never have switched from the handgun
Perhaps, Neil, a wee bit wheesht was deemed sensible.