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PHOTO PROMPT Copyright-Madison Woods The photo is actually from Lura Helms for whom I have no link.
Here’s another of my favorites revisited. 😉 originally posted August 16, 2012
Genre: Literary Fiction
Word Count: 100
CASUALTY OF WAR
In the woods on the outskirts of town is the Tree of Life. Not to be confused with the original, this one earned its name from a century of discarded oddities which have grown into its branches.
Jason and I carved our names into the bark the day before he left for Viet Nam. We’d marry when he returned.
When the final letter came my heart cratered to my stomach.
He’d met Trinh-Lee, his true love.
Today you can still read the crude print that says, “Jason loves Karen.”
Just below it, imbedded in the trunk, is my disengagement ring.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Ouch.. yes those stories of war how sad they are… I assume that this picture can result in quite sinister stories.. Now I have to think.
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Dear Björn,
I recall there being some strange stories two years ago. I’ll be stopping by soon.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There are so many unseen and unsung casulties of war. Touching as ever, Rochelle.
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Dear Loré,
All too often relationships are war casualties.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful story, and an unusual take on the heartbreak of war.
I was of course expecting something else from the ‘final letter,’ but the character’s outcome was perhaps equally difficult to move on from, especially as so many people would have been grieving at the time so she would have had little sympathy/support.
I am glad she was able to leave her disengagement (great word!) ring in the bark.
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Dear Siobhán,
Mission accomplished. Exactly what I wanted the reader to think. No doubt we all know of the personal war casualties. Glad you enjoyed my story.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, Lovely story once again. Something similar happened to an older cousin of mine, only worse, during WWII. She and husband were married young and had a child before he left for the war. He met and fell in love with another woman where he was stationed overseas. He divorced my cousin, who eventually remarried. Well written as always. 🙂 —Susan
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Dear Susan,
Truth can be sadder than fiction. Sorry that happened to your cousin.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very touching story .
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Thank you, Indira. 😀
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Argh! Sebastian just deleted my comment…
I think I must have missed this one first time round because I don’t recognize your story, so I’m glad you reposted it because it’s just become a favourite of mine! I liked the misdirect, the emotion and the word choices. Just REALLY good all round. Have you heard the song “Chainsaw”? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q8qjpQ9svk) I find the song a bit annoying, unlike your story.
One tiny thing (you know I have to!) – my brain jumped at “original this one”, something I think a comma would help.
Hope your break is going well and you aren’t enjoying being away from us TOO much!!!
Jen
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Dear Jen,
I’ll be honest. I’m having a great time. 😉 The visit is everything I’d hoped for. I’m pleased you like the story. It’s still a favorite of mine.
As for the comma…it’s never too late to edit, is it? Thank you for the catch.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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PS I finally got around to listening to “Chainsaw.” I hadn’t heard it before. Sounds like a good option for Karen. 😉
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I still like this story a lot, Rochelle, especially the disengagement ring and the title. I was going to mention the same comma Jen did, but other than that, it works wonderfully.
janet
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Dear Janet,
I’m pleased you still like this one. The comma has been inserted. Never too late.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story, darling — I wasn’t around for this one, so it’s new to me. I’m taking another break this week, but will try to pop in to read a few stories. I’m on a roll with my novel, and I fear trying to make my mind come up with something non-novel related will kill my groove.
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Dear Helena,
Friday Fictioneers has grown and changed so much in two years. You’re one of the good things that’s come out of it for me. I understand the need for a break. I’ll admit to having enjoyed mine this week. And of course it hasn’t been long enough.
Do what you need to do. We’ll be here.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There’s a moving tale. I guess the tree is a constant bitter-sweet reminder for the narrator.
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Dear Patrick,
I envision this tree as having many reminders for Karen. I wonder if it wouldn’t have been better for her if she’d just taken the ring to a pawn shop.
Thank you. I always appreciate your comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, the agony of the “Dear Jane” letter. Disengagement is an excellent word. Tip top summer rerun!
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Dear Honie,
I was rather pleased with that word myself. 😉 It’s been fun replaying a couple of my favorites. Glad you liked.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle, I agree with Honie. I love the idea of the “disengagement ring!” Enjoy your vacation! Nan 🙂
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Dear Nan,
I am enjoying the vacation. Have connected with some good friends and had time to relax.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loved the story, as always Rochelle. I hope your break is going well and the visiting tons of fun! I want to hear all about it when you return.
BTW, that photo isn’t mine, but one of the other Fictioneers (can’t recall which one…), but I enjoyed the trip back in time and I also love your graphics for the Fictioneer posts!
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Dear Madison,
The break feels very strange and the visit it going waaaay too fast. I know there will be tears when it’s over.
I couldn’t find who the photo came from until I went back and visited Jen’s story on the original site. It was Lura Helms. I vaguely remember getting a few comments from her a long time ago.
Janet Webb gets credit for the graphics. Much easier than cutting and pasting every week.
Glad you stopped by.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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But if your disengagement ring – love that, by the way! – is embedded, you’ve moved on.
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Dear Liz,
It seems the opinion is divided as to whether she’s moved on or not. Personally I think she should’ve sold the ring and made a profit. 😉
Thank you,
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful, but so sad!
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Thank you, Jan.
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Dear Rochelle,
Hope you continue to have a fabulous time with visitors. This is a fun gem, and I’m happy to catch it on this summer retread. I particularly love “disengagement ring.”
Because truth is stranger than fiction, this story actually happened in reverse for my parents. My father was stationed in the DMZ in Korea during the Viet Nam Conflict and got engaged to a Korean girl that he met at a house of ill repute. Upon arriving back home in Illinois, he saw a yearbook photo of my mom and the rest, as they say, is history.
Peace to you, my friend.
Marie Gail
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Dear Marie Gail,
Every so often the muse will play with a word and it just works. Disengagement was one of our finest hours. 😉
The vacation and the visit have gone way too fast.
I love it when a story I’ve written in some way mirrors real life. Your father’s story is classic. You should work it into a story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love this story, Rochelle. I’m looking forward to getting to this one. I need something small, with big aspirations, to help distance myself from mss that begins rewrite next week. This could easily do it.
Enjoy your time off. You’ve earned it.
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Dear Claudette,
Jump in any time. We’re a friendly group.
Thank you for coming by and commenting on my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The trick is grabbing the odd half hour to draft a story. My dance card is already overflowing and I simply haven’t learned how to say know to challenges yet. 🙂
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Oh, so sad! I thought she would lose him to combat. I guess she did, on the battlefield of love. So sorry for her, and now the tree has another ornament. Great story, Rochelle!
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Dear Eric,
I’m pleased that my story evoked emotion. What more can an author ask for?
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sad story, Rochelle. Tree of Life is the witness…of love & breakup.
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Dear Anita,
One of those casualties that doesn’t make the national news but no less devastating. Thank you for commenting.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, Janet said she had trouble with my link. I checked it and there didn’t seem to be a problem. No one else has reported any trouble with my link, so I don’t know why Janet had a problem. She suggested that I have you check it. Thanks. I hope you’re having a great vacation. 🙂 —Susan
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Disengagement ring – great concept. Loved your story, and it felt new to me too. Nice one.
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Dear Sandra,
That my story felt new to you is the highest compliment you could pay me.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You always hear of Dr. John letters, but this is the first time I’ve heard of a Dear Gabby Jo letter. How in the world could he dump a sweetheart like Karen? I’m flabbergasted.
– Yours truly, Bubba
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Dear Bubba,
I suppose it’s best that Karen sees Jason for who he is before she commits to marriage. But personally I think she should’ve pawned the ring and gotten some cash for her grief.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Gabby Jo
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So sad. She got a Dear John letter … it usually works the other way around. Interesting idea this tree full of relics!
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Dear Georgia,
It does seem to work both ways with those Dear John or Jane letters. At least Karen found out what Jason was made of before marriage.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
You’re right of course, I thought of that after I’d made the comment. She was lucky in the end, I agree!
Welcome. Ciao, Georgia
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The ‘disengagement ring’ embedded on the trunk shows that she has not moved on while he has…This is very sad, as the cheater is happy while the cheated is not…but a very realistic story
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Dear Night,
Funny some have said it shows that she has moved on. I think she should’ve pawned the ring and taken the cash.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I really liked this story, Rochelle. Poor Karen. Looks like the casualties of war aren’t always what we expect.
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Dear Tiffany,
I think there are many true versions of Karen’s story out there. Thank you for dropping by with your kind comments.
shalom,
Rochelle
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I was so sure it would turn out he died in the war, but maybe the death of love is worse.
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Dear Alice,
I think the death of love could be worse. At least if he’d died in battle she’d have good memories and less bitterness.
Thank you for commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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War changes everything. Oh, sorry this didn’t last for them, but maybe it’s for the better. I don’t think I ever carved my name in a tree. I feel deprived. It feels like it’s something everyone should do in their lives.
I decided I’m going to take a break. I dare! I’m going to finish up some writing. Have a wonderful weekend!
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Dear Amy,
I never carved my name into a tree either. So we can be co-deprived. 😉
I hope you’re enjoying your break. Mine’s almost over. Sigh. It’s been better than I can say.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What an amazing concept Rochelle! I love it!
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Thank you, Riya. 😀
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I missed the ‘dis’ part of engagement till I read someone’s comment. How our mind takes over for our eyes! Love the story, though a bit sad.
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Dear Lily,
We all do that. No worries. Glad you liked my story.
Thank you for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a terribly sad story! I loved the non-maudlin tone of it, and of course, that impeccable word, “disengagement.”
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Thank you, Vijaya. Nice things to hear.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Disengagement ring? That must be what you give when you consciously uncouple 🙂
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Dear Subroto,
Ah yes. Conscious uncoupling gave me cause for conscious unswallowing. 😉
Thank you for dropping by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, this is very well done. It captures a time and place, in your choice of phrasing. Just feels like a more innocent time. Nice job!
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Dear Dawn,
I really appreciate your taking time from your travels to read and comment on my story. Glad you liked it.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It wouldn’t be FF if I didn’t get to read some of my favorite weekly stories! There is so much originality and good story telling here, each week! So, my pleasure. 😉
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Karen’s pain bites at the end. Such strong contrasting emotions from beginning to end.
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