The next photo you see is the PROMPT. Study it. What does it say to you? Tell me in a hundred words or less.
My story follows the prompt and the link. Click on little blue froggy fella and add your link. If reading and commenting on every story is daunting, try reading the five prior to yours and the five following. 😉
PHOTO PROMPT Copyright – Marie Gail Stratford
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 98
HELLO, MY NAME IS BILL
Against the cold wooden floor, labor pains wracked Emily’s back. One after another they came, each harder than the last. She closed her eyes to shut out onlookers’ stares but couldn’t block out their voices.
“Helluva place to have a kid.”
“Pour me another, Fayette.”
“Whaddya think, Gramps? Boy or girl?”
“Quarter says ‘boy.’”
“Pay them no mind, Emily,” said Mama. “Push!”
Over the din of cheers and clinking glasses William Griffith Wilson made his howling presence known.
“Born behind Grandpa’s bar,” whispered Emily as she cuddled her newborn. “Don’t suppose it’s some kind of omen, do you?”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Poor Emily – and what a shame Billy couldn’t escape his destiny.
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Dear Liz,
Not the ideal place to give birth for sure. In the end I’d say Billy look the lemon of his destiny and made lemonade (non-alcoholic, of course).
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
What an outstanding story. You really did your research this time. I love that you give of your time to salt your stories with the too often dim and distant voice of history. I learn from you, I delight in you and I applaud you. Well done.
Aloha,
Doug
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Dear Doug,
Your words flare and then fade to a soft and beautiful blue within me. Is it any wonder I look forward to and cherish your writing and comments? I can think of no greater compliment than your saying you learn from me.
Thank you.
Shalom and L’chaim,
Rochelle
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I love how you often give us an education, without ramming it down our throats, and this story is no exception. And the title is so perfect in an AA and birth way. Just lovely.
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Dear Claire,
As soon as I learned that Bill was born behind a bar I knew where my story had to go. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a great story. Learned something new today and that is all I can ask for.
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Dear Loré,
As always, I’ve learned something myself. I love to share these historical nuggets. Glad you do, too.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great title and a lovely lesson in history too. It’s what we turn up for each week and we know we won’t be disappointed.
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Dear Sandra,
Your words warm me and give me cause to smile as I prepare to leave for work this morning.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Linking to history is one of your strengths!
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Dear Ruth,
I often wonder if I haven’t fallen in love with history because so many of my memories are in the history books. 😉
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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What a brilliant way to tie in a history.. you are are a real master in that.. this one needs some pondering…hmm
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Dear Björn,
Thank you for such high praise.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, Once again you’ve entertained and educated us at the same time. I felt like I was there at the birth. Great and well-written story. 🙂 —Susan
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Dear Susan,
Mission accomplished. 😉 Glad you felt you were there.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sterling as usual, Rochelle. I’m not contributing this week, but I’m glad I still had chance to read yours. I’d never heard of Bill, nor had it occurred to me to wonder where AA started. What a gift he left the world; what a gift you’ve given me by doing the wondering, the research and the imagining for me.
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Dear Jennifer,
I’ll miss your contribution this week but I’m pleased that you stopped in to read and comment. I’ve known of Bill Wilson for some time but never took the time to find out much about him. His twelve-steps have spilled over into many other ‘Annonymous’ groups. What a difference this baby born in a tavern made, eh?
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle! Thanks for the education. Never knew anything about Bill. What a glorious story, all the way around – except the part about him being abandoned by his parents. Alicia
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Dear Alicia,
Anytime I can pass it along through a story I will. 😉
Bill did have an amazing story, didn’t he? I can’t say much for his parents either.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I loved the epilogue 🙂 Wonderful story
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Thank you, Mitraarchita. 😀
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Rochelle, I knew when I saw the name that this wasn’t just some random name you made up. I love this story for the characters and the atmosphere you infuse it with. I just read Doug’s story before this and it’s amazing how the same image can evoke such different stories. That’s what I love about our group. 🙂
-David
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Dear David,
It’s no secret that I love taking a slice of history and putting myself in the midst of it. 😉
This group…ah this group. I’ve made some lasting friendships here. I’d only been writing with Friday Fictioneers for six months when Madison announced that she was letting it go. I was devastated, but laughed when Doug, who is one of the earliest members, suggested I take it. Yet I couldn’t imagine life without it. So when both my husband and Kent echoed Doug, I begged Madison to let me adopt her baby. Needless to say it turned out to be a great decision, although, at times it’s a bit like trying to herd feral cats.
I’m happy that you’re part of Friday Fictioneers, David.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is the kind of thing that becomes a way of life, doesn’t it? I imagine it must be hard sometimes to enforce rules in a strictly voluntary group. You’re quite diplomatic though, which I think is essential. Madison must be happy her creation is in such good hands now.
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I can’t say how or what, David, but Friday Fictioneers has given me something to concentrate on when other things in my life weren’t going all that well.
Madison helped me get started and has been there for me when I hit some early rough spots. She’s also said more than once that I’ve done a good job. Nice to hear. 😉
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What delicious irony and perfectly retold!
janet
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Thank you, Janet. 😀
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Oh, I liked this!
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Thank you, Kate. 😀
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True story as fiction. Love it! Thanks for the epilogue.
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Dear Dawn,
Although, it’s true that Bill Wilson was born behind his grandfather’s bar, the scene itself is conjecture and imagination on my part, thus fiction. 😉 Glad you liked it.
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, i love that there’s always a story behind your stories. 🙂 thanks for the link. always great to learn something new!
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Dear K.Z.
To quote the Rod Stewart song, “Every picture tells a story, don’t it?”
I learned something new myself and there’s always a story behind the story. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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If there is an omen, it is that it is the best place to be born, the cocoon of his mother’s arms 🙂 Beautiful dialogue there. Enjoyed it!
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Thank you, Shailaja. 😀
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History lesson #83! Had to google again. Life is all about something new, so thank you for this.
And great dialogue, voices etc.
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Dear Patrick,
Google is my friend. 😉 It’s always my pleasure to share my learning experience.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is great, Rochelle! I’m always amazed how you find out about these little tid bits of history. But of course the founder of AA was born in a bar. Ha ha. I mean you have to laugh about that. I had no idea. I’m glad he went on to do great things and make a difference for so many people.
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Dear Amy,
It’s amazing to me how much information is out there on the internet. Although it often contradicts. But, for the most part, it’s a great tool. Wish we’d had it when we were in school. On the other hand I might not have cared. 😉
When I read that Bill Wilson was born in a bar, it was a done deal.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a great piece of writing, and what a start in life for someone who went on to be synonymous with recovery. I work for a local paper here a small town in Ireland, and did an article on a peer-led addiction recovery group called the Friends of Bill W Club. The man who founded the group told me he owed his life to the 12 Step Programme. He has since become a counsellor and helped a lot of other people suffering from all sorts of addiction. Bill Wilson’s legacy lives on in so many corners of the world.
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Dear Siobhán,
I’ve done the twelve steps, although not for alcoholism. It’s a great tool for other addictions. Another of my family members has thirteen years sobriety so I’m grateful to Bill.
How wonderful that he made such a mark on the world after such precarious beginnings.
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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I love reading your stories Rochelle. There is always a education in them that I love. 🙂
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Dear Jackie,
You’ve given me something to smile about. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great Story Rochelle. Of course it is an omen. He is destined to be an entrepreneur/businessman. He came in marketing through memorable delivery.
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Dear Dana,
Of course, no one will ever know how Bill’s birth went, but my imagination went wild when I learned that he was born behind the bar. Not only that, it was in the midst of a Vermont snowstorm in November. But due to the word count restriction, the snow just didn’t fit. 😉
Thank you,
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Slowly making my way back into the FF world, still in “read only” mode though. I’m trying very hard not to let this semester kick my fanny. Loving your stories as always.
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Dear Honie,
I’ve missed you. I understand that you’ve a lot on your plate so I won’t be too whiny. 😉
I’m pleased you stopped by.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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having had no idea who he was I was forced to find out on a search engine~neat symbolism
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Dear Larry,
Made you look! Made you look! 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s always really helpful~
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Ah, great one. Love it. ;0)
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Thank you, Phyllis. 😀
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i learned (again) something new today. thank you.
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Dear Plaridel,
I’m always happy to know that. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story. touching and well written – as always.
So, I guess you could even get away with saying that Bill W might have even taken his First Step in a bar, his grandpa’s bar. A powerful step towards powerlessness. Ha.
Randy
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Dear Randy,
Great comment, possibly the most appropriate this week. Well said.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very good, and a story very close to my heart. In fact in this week’s meeting someone read out part of Bill W’s life story (from when he was older, obviously!).
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Dear Ali,
I won’t pry but thank you for that. A close family member has 13 years sobriety so it’s near and dear to my heart as well.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s amazing! I’m at 11 1/2 and counting.
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I’m pretty proud of him. 😉 And 11½ years is nothing to sneeze at. I drink a toast to you with a bit of the bubbly…Perrier that is. 😉
The 12 steps have been used in so many other groups as well. I personally am in my 18th year of recovery from Anorexia Nervosa.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very well done! I don’t know why it works, but it does and that’s all I’m concerned about.
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Once again you’ve shown the human side of history. It must have been an omen for young Bill 🙂
Your historical fiction is my favourite! Have you written any longer pieces? You’d be rally good at it!
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Dear Jessie,
I’m glad you asked. 😉 I have a novel, historical fiction, that’s looking for a home. My agent, Jeanie Loiacono, assures me that it will sell. To learn a little more about it you can go to my web site. http://www.rochellewordart.com and click the “Please Say Kaddish for Me” link. I’m also working on a couple of sequels.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My name is Kent.
Hi, Kent.
And I like this story.
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Hi, Kent. Remember. What’s said here stays here.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ll admit I didn’t recognise the name… including the Wikipedia entry in the epilogue was a great touch:).
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Dear Wildbilbo,
I like to make people dig a little. 😉 Glad you did.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, enjoyed reading it and yes, enjoyed going through the comments too. Cheers
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Dear Shanx,
Half the fun of Friday Fictioneers is the interaction with other writers, isn’t it? It’s one of the things that roped me in at the beginning and kept me coming back.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a great bit of historical imagining again Rochelle. William Wilson had a pretty complex life of his own. Truth is indeed stranger than fiction. And I am glad to be back again this week.
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Dear Subroto,
Historical imagining. I like that. And yes, Bill Wilson did have quite a complex life. So many have benefited from his recovery and discovery.
I’m also glad to see you back. I’ve truly missed you.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I never knew this about him. Thanks for the knowledge!
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Dear SwoosieQue,
I only learned of this piece of history myself. I love finding obscure bits and elaborating.
Thank you for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Every time you write a story, I learn something new and interesting. I really loved the oblique way you approached your story. Brilliantly narrated.
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Dear Vijaya,
Noblesse-oblique. 😉 Thank you for such lovely comments and compliments. From a writer of your calibre it means a lot.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I agree with the previous comments, plus I must say that I loved the voices of the bar customers. Such great dialogue. They have their priorities, and no real concern at all for the events happening behind the bar.
Marg
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Dear Marg,
Dialogue is the most fun for me. I always did prefer books and stories that have plenty of it. Glad it worked for you, too. Of course I only imagined the comment. All I know are the facts. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It could all too easily become a family tradition.
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Dear Alice,
Not all family traditions are good ones, are they?
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What Claire Fuller said! Very well done, Rochelle.
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Dear Joanna,
Nice to get such a lovely comment twice. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love the way you paint such a vivid picture by primarily carrying along the story with dialogue.
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Dear Sarah,
As an author and a visual artist, I thank you for such a lovely comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Juliette,
Interesting tale. I followed the link and read the epilogue. I have a friend who was born in a garage, but failed to become a mechanic. Connie has accused me of being born in a barn, but that’s just because I’m stubborn as a mule.
I’ll see you at the corner table. – Jack Horner
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Dear Jack,
Personally I like corner tables. Didn’t we have one in Joplin?
I was born in a hospital but I never had a desire to be a nurse, doctor or even an orderly. My first crushes were on Dr. Kildare and Ben Casey, does that count?
Thank you for coming by. Don’t kick over any tables on the way out.
Shalom,
Juliette
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Interesting that we both have birthing in our stories, Rochelle. 😉 But yours really tells a story that grabs the reader and left me wanting more. Thankfully, you gave me that too! Fascinating piece and epilogue! L’Shana Tova!
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Dear Dawn,
Such nice words. It’s better to leave the reader wanting more than the alternative. 😉
Your story was exquisite.
Thank you and Gut Yontif. (Old Ashkenazi for good holiday)
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Our family frequently uses Gut Yontif! And thanks again for your sweet comment! Shalom, Dawn
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Wonderful story Rochelle and educational! I enjoy your writing each week and you always put something unique in your story! Thanks!
Nan 🙂
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Dear Nan,
This is why I enjoy Friday Fictioneers. It’s a great venue for experimentation. And in the process I receive an education myself.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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God decides when & where kids are born, Rochelle.
Very vivid story 🙂
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Dear Anita,
I’m a firm believer in that fact. Little Billy certainly had a special mission in life, didn’t he?
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Brilliant! I love how you always weave a little piece of history into your stories, Rochelle. How do you pick the subjects?
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Dear Tiffany,
I can’t say that I always pick the subjects. Most often they seem to pick me. I start with a topic and then follow threads. With this story I started with history of wine which led somehow to Alcoholics Anonymous and its co-founder Bill Wilson. When I read that he was born in his grandfather’s tavern I knew I’d arrived at my story. It doesn’t always happen quite that way but for this story it did.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a great story! I was born in my grandparents’ bed, my grandfather took my dad in the basement to sample his dandelion wine but I came too fast:)
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Dear Oliana,
I guess Grandpa slept on the couch that night. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He was used to these intrusions; grandmaman was a midwife and he assisted her own 7 births:)
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I had no idea Bill W was born in a tavern! Great scene, Rochelle 🙂
Ellespeth
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Dear Ellespeth,
There’s so much out there on the information highway, I never know what I’m going to find. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s a great story Rochelle. I love it. I like the link to who he was.
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Thank you, Al. 😀 I had fun writing this one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂
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I really enjoyed the deadpan dialogue here, which captured the characters so nicely without the need for any description.
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Dear Sue,
Thank you for such kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I absolutely love historical fiction, and this was fantastic. It was so appropriate.
God bless you,
Cheryl
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Dear Cheryl
Historical fiction is a particular favorite of mine. Glad you liked it.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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