4 September 2026

The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.

PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

The photo this week was snapped at a flea market. The shelf unit is in front of a window. The lower shelves are fully of colorful bottles. On the second shelf up there is a doll on the left and a glass angel on the right. From there on up the shelves are loaded with all manner of doll heads.

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Genre: Fiction
Word Count:100

AN EYE FOR AN EYE

Sifting through shards of her grandmother’s treasured porcelain vase, Carla fumed.

Five-year-old Angela hung her head. “Sorry, Mommy.”

“What were you thinking? You know better than to throw a basketball in the house.”

In a fit of anger, Carla ran to her daughter’s room and ripped the head and stuffings from Big Bird. Yellow fuzz drifted to the floor like snowflakes.

***

Years later Angela recounted the incident to her own children with, “Let this be a lesson to you, kiddies.”

Her son gasped. “You wouldn’t do it to us, would you, Mommy?”

“Break one of my things and find out.”

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Ask your local library to carry LAST DANCE WITH ANNIE. (Thanks, Lisa 😉 ) Audio book out soon!

28 August 2026

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PHOTO PROMPT c, Dale Rogerson

This is no basket ball in the photo this week. It’s a well-rounded hornets nest built against the side of a building. At the bottom of the nest you can see a few of the little buzzing, stinging creatures. Run!

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

THE MONSTERS ARE DUE ON MAPLE STREET

Stubbing out his third cigarette, the young playwright pored over his script.

“Wouldn’t want to upset the censors,” he muttered under his breath. He set his hands on his typewriter. “That’s it! A street in the suburbs is cut off from the rest of neighborhood. The residents convince themselves that one of their neighbors is an alien from outer space.

“In the end, extra-terrestrials orchestrated the isolation, then stood back and watched gullible humans turn on each other.”

Rod Serling smiled as he put the finishing touches on his stingingly profound Twilight Zone episode. Social commentary cloaked in science fiction.

We have met the enemy and he is us.

****************

Was he a prophet? Sometimes I wonder.

Enough said.

21 August 2026

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PHOTO PROMPT © Lori Wilson

The prompt this week is the front porch of an old hotel in Missouri. There are stone arches in front. Double wooden doors welcome the guests. There is a light over the front doors. Through the glass on the doors and the windows you can see the pleasant lobby. Welcome! Enjoy your stay! 😉

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

BLACK THURSDAY

Henry had a lucrative position with a Kansas City bank, a dream home, and a beautiful wife. The world was his oyster.

He’d booked a room in Booneville at the Frederick Hotel where they’d spent their wedding night. It was a crisp October day. Perfect for celebrating their first anniversary.

As he was packing the telephone rang.

Tears blurred his vision that night at dinner. How can I tell her we’ve lost everything?

As he groped for the right words, Ginny blurted out. “Oh Henry, 1930 is going to be the best year ever! You’re going to be a daddy!”

14 August 2026

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PHOTO PROMPT © Lisa Fox

This week’s photo is of ten nesting cups with images of Russian buildings engraved on them. They go from large and detailed to teeny tiny. They looking to set in order on a wooden table.

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

POETIC INJUSTICE

“I adored the stage,” said Bubbe Gittel of her time in the Moscow State Jewish Theater. “I had a crush on the director, Shlomo Mikhoels. A gifted poet.”

I switched off the TV. My grandmother’s stories beat summer reruns.

“During the war Mr. Stalin kept us safe from Hitler and made Shlomo the head of the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee.”

Bubbe’s smile faded. “The war ended and with it, Stalin’s favor.”

“They called it an accident, but I saw it with my own eyes. A KGB monster shoved Shlomo in the path of a speeding truck.”

“Why, Bubbe?”

“Need you ask?”

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Shlomo or Solomon Mikhoels

7 August 2026

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The photo this week is from Yours Truly. I snapped it in beautiful downtown Wilmington NC where I am this point in time. This is the Riverwalk by the Cape Fear River. The sidewalk is wooden. To the left are railings by the river. On the right is a fence. We see older buildings in the distance. On the left, further down the walkway is a street light. There are green trees to the right. A sunny hot day in North Carolina.

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Genre: Truthful Fiction
Word Count: 100

As it turns out, I’m in Wilmington NC this week, 😀 A recent story on CBS Sunday Morning caused me to dig deeper into this shameful piece of American history.

DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN

In high school we weren’t taught about the Wilmington coupe, reported as a “race riot,” when white supremacists drove elected black city officials from their offices at gunpoint. Fine upstanding citizens were forced to flee and take refuge in a swamp.

My beautiful friend Shaliza and I were shocked when this history came to light.

I’m ashamed at the realization that my great-great-grandfather was one of the red shirts who very well could’ve gunned down Shaliza’s great-great-grandfather.

She and I embraced at a recent ceremony at Memorial Park

Could someone explain to me what makes white skin superior to brown?

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