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 somewhat austere photo comes courtesy of Roger Bultot and, as I am struggling for time again, provides me with the opportunity to recycle a piece from more than 5 years ago.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on this picture, below.
© Roger Bultot
Click here to hear the writer read his words:
Hello Again
She hasn’t seen him for years and is really looking forward to it.
They spent twenty years together, raised two children.
One of whom couldn’t be bothered to make the trip today.
But their daughter is with her, although perhaps not quite so exuberant.
Still, she feels good, hopes she looks good, wants to be at her best for the big moment.
Her legs are elegantly crossed in her tailored suit and expensive high heels.
She chats happily to the people around her.
She stands and smoothes her skirt before stepping forward.
Then she smiles radiantly into the open coffin.
Well, I agree with the other comments. He couldn’t have been a great husband or father.
Thanks, Fatima, that seems to be the popular view here!
And I can’t contradict my readers or my protagonist.
A merry widow!
Dancing on his grave!
That was a surprise ending. I really would like to know why she’s so very upbeat, even if he was a cad. Intriguing.
I think perhaps you are too sweet to understand why, Margaret!
😏
Quite a story, C.E. She doesn’t seem too unhappy about his death. It sounds like he left her years before and she’s done just fine. A great ending. —- Suzanne
I think you have sussed it exactly, Suzanne.
Thank you
Brilliant … I loved the ending!
Thank you, Brenda
Sounds like it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.
You got it in one!
Wow…awesome…I was not expecting THAT!
But you can identify with it, can’t you, Dawn?
I was ready for the twist, and so enjoyed the detailed build up. It’s all in the delivery!
One does try, Dawn, thank you.
Un pur moment de bonheur ton histoire !
😍🤗😂😂 ❤
Faut rire des fois!
Yes, I understand that. Just don’t call his other ex a horse…
A horse? Sorry, James, this one escapes me completely.
Ha, a joyful occasion for her and a nice day out to boot 🙂
Well, a lady does love to get dressed up occasionally!
LOVED hearing you read your story!
Ronda
Thank you, Ronda, your comment makes the effort worthwhile
Now she is really free. I’m assuming he wasn’t the nicest guy, since one of the kids didn’t even show up. So good for her!! I like this lady a lot!
-Rachel
I love how you get so involved in a 100-word story, Rachel.
Thank you so much.
I too was lulled into a lovely scene. Daughter. Lovely dress. Stockings. Heels. Then, as usual, you ended the story with a punch. Well done.
Glad you enjoyed, Alicia
I guess appearance is all-important especially when there’s a crowd watching. I’m surprised the daughter is standing anywhere near her. I bet they leave in separate cars. Families?
Perhaps he was a better father than he was husband…
…and he smiled back! Woooo! Nice one.
Not this time, Keith, he has shuffled off the old mortal…
What a twist you brought in the end, sir! Brilliant! He must have tormented her and the kids, no wonder she feels happy.
Thank you, sir.
He clearly wasn’t the ideal family man
Dear CE,
Not the grieving widow, I take it. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
I think dancing on his grave is more the situation here, m’lady
One of the kids couldn’t be bothered to come shows perhaps the death was a blessing for them. Good stuff
Indeed, sir, one man’s misery is another person’s joy.
You led us along nicely, C.E.
And all the while the body was right in front of us.
You clever dog.
Woof, woof.
Wags tail in delight!
A cracking ending sir.
Thanks, Michael
I had a little foreboding that it might involve death, can’t imagine why…I actually did have the image of a soldier’s funeral upon returning in body only, about half-way through. But the smile was incomprehensible. I have a feeling there is more to this story.
No soldiers involved here.
The smile just expresses her happiness.
There is no more, other than the back story, of course!
I was lulled by the lovely accent and the words seemed harmless enough and I had to go to the comments to finally understand the story. I certainly wasn’t expecting that although I suppose I should from your work. Another great one!
Thank you, Tessa, although I am disappointed that my story wasn’t clear.
100 words is not a lot, sometimes.
I sometimes just don’t get it and need it pointed out. It made perfect sense once I knew what it was referring to and yes 100 words is not a lot at times. I’ve written shorter fiction and that is even harder to make it make sense.
Ooh, that’s a good one. I did not expect the end at all. She seems a little too happy about seeing him in that state. I guess we know why they haven’t seen each other for years.
Love at last sight, perhaps?
Thank you
Wow! That is full of power and might. Great write!
Wow! Great comment! Thank you.
I felt the ticking of the clock — attached to the bomb. Wasn’t expecting that bang though.
Laughing.
Great comment.
You think I have learned my lesson by now, but “No” I still fall for it, each and every time. Of course, it wasn’t a wedding. Will I ever learn?
I do try to surprise, Lady C, just to amuse.
A-hahaha. That got a loud, pleasantly surprised laugh out of me. Wonderful descriptions and a great dark fun twist.
You are not a well lady!
Glad you enjoyed.
Oh dear – after what happened to that woman who went to Dubai for her ex’s funeral, this could end badly!
I have no knowledge of this, Liz, but for the lady in my story it has ended well.
Is she looking at his very decomposed body? If so, she certainly has a taste for the macabre. But–maybe there’s no corpse? Or maybe she just escaped from the loony bin?
Yeeow, no!
And yes, there’s a corpse.
And no.
And here I was thinking being married to her sent him running for the cloister…. Excellent twist, CE.
Thank you, Violet
Cold. Of course, since the son couldn’t be bothered to show up, perhaps he deserved it…
Yes! That is what I tried to imply.
She surely knows how to live it up, even for the dead.
Loved this story, Ceayr.
Thanks, Neel, she is happy to see him gone!
A happy farewell for her. I did wonder if she was somehow responsible for putting him in the coffin, but then she hasn’t seen him for years… or so she claims.
No, she is just checking…
Oh boy!
What an end!
Awesome! 😀
Laughing.
Thank you.
Most welcome! 🙂
Whether she is happy for the life he lived, or his demise we can only wonder! Well done, CE
Thanks, Varad, I don’t think she is happy for his life…
Nice twist, mate
Thanks, Neil