Thanks to Madison for choosing my photo for this week’s Friday Fictioneers. Two summers ago this magnificent creation showed up in a corner of our garage door. While I’m not a big fan of spiders, I’m in awe of their webs. And as always, I love the challenge of story telling in few words. 93 words this time.
The ravenous pain that riddled every nerve ending of Jessie’s cancer-wasted body defied morphine. She would welcome the death angel when he came.
Outside her window the porch light illuminated diaphanous spiraled threads that stretched from one corner to the other. She admired the creator’s tenacity.
Through her medicinal haze she gazed at her daughter Marissa’s bruised face. “The bastard. Leave him.”
“Don’t have to. Someone shot him six times at close range.”
“Do you know why that spider spins her web?”
Marissa kissed Jessica’s powder burned hand. “Yes, Mom. For her children.”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Whoa, Rochelle,
You’ve outdone yourself this week. Great photo and an awesome story to match. Given the chance to set things right, how many of us would have the courage or strength to do what Jessie did for her daughter? Loved the last line. Has the feeling of a eulogy for a loving parent, beloved by her well protected family. Very well done.
Aloha,
Doug
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😉
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I agree with Doug — outstanding!
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Yes, the exchange at the end – not only was it good dialogue but it held the real inside it as well. Beautiful.
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This is a beautiful story…and the last line just brings it home perfectly. Very well done, and many thanks for sharing this photo.
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He had it coming.
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That’s how I saw it.
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Wonderful photo and a well versed verse. Love when the bad guy gets his. Thank you for sharing.
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The web of mother and child is very strong. Nicely written.
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It’s amazing how the human will can triumph (if only temporarily) over physical decimation. Moving story of a mother’s love. Thanks for the great photo for the prompt–beautiful image.
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AMAZING!
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Beautifully written piece! The fierceness of a mother’s love. Great prompt too!
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A lot of info in so few words. Nicely linked the imagery is great.
And an excellent photo. Spider webs are amazing constructions.
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Great story, Rochelle. I’ve got no time or patience for abusers. It’s too bad she only had six bullets.
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I love tales of retribution and this was a satisfying one.
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I read this twice and forwarded it to my sister in law and a few friends! WELL done. Problem solved and Mom can rest in piece knowing her daughter is safe. ahhhh.
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Peace! I meant rest in peace lol. Darn fingers typed “piece” Bowing out of the room now.
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I hope you mean you forwarded the link. 😉
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Wow – didn’t see that “powder burned” hand coming! At first I assumed “euthanasia” referred to Jessie’s situation, but by the end it’s clear that you’re telling us about a very different kind of mercy killing…mercy not to the victim, but to the victim(s) of the victim. And the perfect understanding between mother and daughter that you show us so economically is wonderful.
To say the same thing in fewer words, Rochelle, this is GREAT.
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Exactly, Sharon!
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wow…for her children 🙂 this was a great piece Rochelle…
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Powerful little story! And thanks for the photo.
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Rocks! I’d be lost without your Friday Fictioneer stories. I’ve always had a fascination with spider webs and enjoyed your story that went with it. Thanks!
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My husband has always said if he knew he was terminal he;d be taking people out with him.
Great story. Tender and visceral. Love your image as well 🙂
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Rochelle, what a great story! And thank you for the inspiring photo this week!
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Good God!!! 93 words that packed such a punch. Great story and perfect symbolism. Your’s is the first one I’ve read this week and I’m glad I did. I’m either 29 or 30 on the list. Thanks for the awesome share.
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Beautifully done! One that will stay with me I think.
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Thanks for the prompt this week! It’s highly stimulating!
And what a story… What parents can do for a child is unparalleled by any other human bond… Very good work..
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Ah, yes, I think we know who fired those six shots. Just juxtaposition of one life ending and another being renewed.
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/tangled-webs/
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I promise I didn’t read your before I wrote mine, Rochelle! Clearly I was just channelling you through the photo. Great writing, and so much story in 93 words. I want to read the other 7 just to find out how many more threads it could have had!
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Great photo and a powerful story, just wonderful.
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Go mom! I loved all the levels in the story, and your photo is wonderful, too!
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Ah, so that’s how the experts do it. Very good indeed. Look forward to reading more of yours Friday shorts.
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Thanks for a great photo for this week’s prompt Rochelle.
I really enjoyed your story – so much pain and tension coming from your words, yet at the same time she was able to leave her daughter with one final gift.
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Hi Rochelle,
Thanks for the great photo. Really liked the way you interwove two stories, the mother’s and the daughter’s together for a double shot of storytelling. Ron
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Heavy! And I like your twists. I thought at the beginning the web was illustative of her pain; nerve tissue always reminds me of spider webs. But that web just keeps showing up in other contexts. I enjoy a well-layered story.
Thanks for sharing your pic, too. I posted my story to Pinterest with your pic and attribution. If you don’t want it out there, please let me and I will take it down. (I guess I should have asked beforehand. I’ll do that next time.)
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As long as the attribution is there I have no problem, Keli. It’s another way to get my name out, right?
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Firstly thanks for the photo this week, secondly thanks for a great story with a lovely twist at the end. Very satisfying.
Dee
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Wow, Rochelle. That’s a very powerful story in 93 words. I liked how you weaved the spider into it and that it provided a center for the exchange between daughter and mother. Very nice!
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atta girl!
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Great story Rochelle! And a great picture too thanks for sharing both.
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I’m a bit late to the game this week. Well done on the story. What else can I say that hasn’t already been said.
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There isn’t anything that a mother wouldn’t do for her children and your story proved the point in just 93 words! Very powerful idea and great delivery, loved the Photo absolutely. Thank you for sharing both the prompt and the story. Will be coming back for more.
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