The following photo is the PROMPT. Again, this is another blast from the past which, to most of you, will be a new one.
There are some flash fictions of mine that I like better than others. This remains one of my favorites. It’s one of the first ten that I wrote when Madison was the chief cat herder. 😉 You can find the original post here.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100
RENDEZVOUS
Golden arches and a drive-through replaced the baroque beacon on the hill. The French restaurant where we often met is long gone.
At our special table we shared crème brulée, class notes and anecdotes. Our careers left no room for marriage. He went his way and I went mine.
Two years later the embossed invitation came. Birth announcements and commencement notices followed me around the world.
Thirty summers passed.
When I read his wife’s obituary I wept.
***
I reminisce in McDonald’s parking lot. Someone taps my windshield.
Ink-black hair turned bone-white, Bordeaux in hand, he grins. “You saved our table.”
Very powerful.
DJ
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Thank you, Danny. I’m glad you think so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Coming back after a few weeks absence and being met by a story like this.. My thinking cap goes on…
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Dear Björn,
I’m sure that was a compliment. 😉 Your thinking cap did well for you today. Welcome back.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Brilliant.
That is it.
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Dear C.E.
Thank you is the best reply I can think of.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely story, beautifully told, Rochelle. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thank you, Suzanne. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember this story and thought it was great then. Still do. Love knows that the passing of time, distance and life events can still be present.
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What do we know of ancient cultures? Do we care who made money? No, we care about their buildings, their art. What a shabby legacy we create when the highest good is corporate profit. Nicely done, though sad.
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Dear J Hardy,
I’m glad you liked my story and came by to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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oh this is lovely! well-penned Rochelle 🙂
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Thank you, Lady LM. 😀
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A happy ending! Lovely, and you crammed thirty years into a hundred words without a wrinkle.
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Dear Liz,
I’m a sucker for a romance so every so often I feel the need to write one. Thank you for such a lovely comment. I’m pleased you liked my little tale.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a lovely story, I can understand why it is one of your favorites.
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Dear Loré,
I’m pleased you liked my little romance.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
It is hard to believe what you do with so few words! You bring us into another person’s heart and life with so much feeling it is as if we lived it. And then you gift us with a warm fuzzy-feeling smile before we exit back to our own lives.
Your story inspires me to recall dramatic memories from my own life.
Sometimes it is your writing – more than the photo – which will prompt me.
Thank you for sharing your gift!
Warm regards,
BobiJo😍
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Dear Bobi Jo,
What a wonderful comment and compliment. As an author, nothing pleases me more.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Really wonderful. And a situation many would wish for.
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Dear Grace,
I appreciate your taking the time to stop in and read. Thank you for such a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a lovely story! I felt so many different emotions in just a few words.
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Dear Joy,
Compliments don’t get much better. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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OH! That last line. Beautiful, my dear ~ the whole thing. Kudos. (Hope you’re healing well.)
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Dear Alicia,
Thank you for your lovely compliment. You made me smile. Healing is happening.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sweet rush of Same Auld Lang Syne. Loved it. Feel well again soon. 🙂
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Dear Stephonie,
Thank you on both counts. Working on the feeling well.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It left me with a warm glow – never too late. Good one Rochelle! As ever.
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Dear Sandra,
Always happy to leave a warm glow. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely little love story.
Tracey
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Thank you, Tracey. I’m pleased you found it so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful! Some connections last, no matter what.
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Dear GAH,
I love a happy ending and every so often I feel compelled to write one. Of course this one was pretty early in my FF involvement. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sweet! Lovely story (Hope you’re feeling better)
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Dear Graham,
Thank you for such lovely compliments and the well wishes. As a matter of fact, I’m feeling ever so much better. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely. So it CAN happen.
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Dear Patrick,
I’ve heard of it happening. 😉
Thank you and shalom,
Rochelle
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A touching and beautiful story. This one satisfies and fills me with hope. I just love it!
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Dear Eric,
And your comment warms me.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There we go, an upbeat tale! Love it.
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Thank you, Dave.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow Rochelle! This is how the short stories should be written. Great. Loved it.
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Dear Indira,
It’s still a learning process. I’m happy when my stories work.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely story, Rochelle! 🙂
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Thank you, Vanitha! 😀
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Pretty emotional story and so romantic! Wow! Perfect timing too! Love it! Nan
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Dear Nan,
It’s never too late for romance, is it?
Thank you. Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a beautiful and heartfelt story. All of us on some level dream that this will happen with our first love. 🙂
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Dear Susan,
I believe it can and, sometimes, does happen.
Thank you and shalom,
Rochelle
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A simple taste to ready themselves for their next life.
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Dear JK,
It’s not about the surroundings as much as the company.
Thank you for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I can see why this is a favourite, Rochelle – it’s lovely. Maybe I’m feeling soppy today, but it brought tears to my eyes.
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Dear Jennifer,
I’m having a soppy day myself today. Just said goodbye to my son and his girlfriend after a too short visit. Sniff.
Glad you liked my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A great story that reminds me a lot of my grandparents. Very well done! A nice break for me from the tedium of University life.
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Dear Miles,
I’m pleased you liked my story and that it served as a nice diversion. Thank you for taking the time to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I adored this story, Rochelle! So tender, so kind, so romantic, and so not-cynical, so non-snarky — which is something I am tempted to be confronted with that image.
Beautifully narrated too — the flow of time is perfectly handled.
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Dear Vijaya,
Thank you for such kind and glowing words. I’m warmed by them.
Shalom,
Your Fairy Blog Mother, Rochelle
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This is so lovely, Rochelle. I’m happy to read your older stories since I missed all these. Just as brilliant as ever! I hope your gums are feeling better. I’ve been thinking about you hoping for the best.
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Dear Amy,
I’m glad you liked my “old” story. The beauty of writing is that it’s organic. It can be updated, at least in our little FF corner of the world. 😉
The gums are much better, thank you. Although the saga marches on. Something I may or may not blog about.
Thank you and shalom,
Rochelle
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I know sometimes it’s tempting to share personal things, because people care out here and most likely would be supportive. But there’s always the fear of sharing too much and wondering if things are better left private. I’m tempted to share some things myself, but am holding back. I’m so happy to hear you’re feeling better. Hang in there, Rochelle!
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True love is forever… what is 30 years? Great story Rochelle!
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Dear Joyful,
If love is true 30 years is a blip on the radar screen. 😉
Thank you and shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely story and a happy ending. Great story!
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Dear Ali,
Happy endings are good for the soul.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Isn’t there a Sinatra song: “the second time around”?
Good piece Rochelle.
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Dear Mick,
Indeed there is. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely story.
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Thank you, Sally. 😀
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Dear Alexandria “Ma” Bell,
I’m confused as to their ages. Did the 30 summers pass after she read the obituary? If so, he may have to ask her several times who she is and why they are there. I hope their table is close to the bathroom.
Just curious,
Ronald
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Dear Ronald.
You made a good point. Should you go back and read it you’ll see that I’ve done a bit of rearranging. I hope it clarifies things.
Shalom,
Alexandria “Ma” Bell
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Yes, much clearer now.
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This is so beautiful and tender. Wonderful story, lovely writing.
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Dear Claire,
Thank you for such a lovely compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Aww…I love love!
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Thanks, Dawn. 😀
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aw, I love this, what a sweet ending. Time casts no shadow yet passes rapidly. I’m glad they met back up in the end! lovely
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Dear Solo,
I love an enduring romance with a happy ending, too.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful tale of lost love found again, and it does happen. Love story.
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Thank you for reading, commenting and loving, Yolanda Renee.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love a second chance at love! A beautiful piece 🙂
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Dear Jessie,
It’s never too late, is it?
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for this very different prompt. Loved your take on it
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Dear Dee Dee,
Glad you liked the prompt and my story.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a delightful piece. Thanks for such a great prompt, it gave us so many possibilities
Rosey Pinkerton’s blog
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Thank you, Rosey. I’m glad you liked my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful Rochelle. My special place is now a used car lot.
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Dear Joseph,
Times change and so do places.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes they dom
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I love this one, too!
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Thank you, Jan. 😀
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Dear Rochelle,
Such lovely words and a beautiful tale. I can see why it’s one of your favorites.
I had a little trouble following the passage of time. You know my favorite technique for clarifying that in a story this length is with *** between paragraphs. IMO, this story would be stronger with those added for clarity.
Nonetheless, I’m happy for this retread. Great stuff.
Hope you’re thoroughly enjoying your kids this week.
Peace,
Marie Gail
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Dear Marie Gail,
Thanks to you and Ronald McDonald, I’ve gone back and done some tweaking that I think helped. Glad you liked my digression.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS I had a great time with the kids. The visit was waaaaay too short.
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….a moment worth waiting a lifetime give or take 30 summers ^_^
warms the kidneys that’s the seat of love right I didn’t pay attention during my literature classes was busy daydreaming
~B
PS. now I have a sudden craving for a midnight stroll to a MacDonald’s when I should be sleeping.
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Dear B,
I spent a lot of time in school daydreaming, too. Some of us daydreamers continue to daydream and they call us writers. 😉
Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to read my little story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful. I love a good romance, especially one that spans the decades and is refound.
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Dear Irene,
Thank you for such lovely words. I really enjoyed writing this one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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How I enjoy how you write!! it is always a pleasant journey. Shalom, Cheryl-Lynn
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Dear Cheryl-Lynn,
Your comments are always most appreciated. 😀
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely – a romantic ‘its never too late’ vibe to this. I particularly liked the ‘weeping over the death notice’ – it shows a real friendship exists and the narrator is hurt by their loss; as opposed to the more selfish reaction of happiness that ‘a new opportunity’ has arisen. Very touching.
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Dear KT,
In two postings of this story, you’re the only one who has picked up on her mourning his loss. Very astute.
Thank you for such a wonderful comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s a lovely, heart-warming story. I’m so glad they found each other again. Beautiful.
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Dear Margaret,
I’m glad they did, too.
Thank you for a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love this too, Rochelle. I barely had a minute to myself last week, with a whole gaggle of family visiting so I just posted, with 11 minutes left. 🙂 Glad I read your story.
-David
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Dear David,
I understand about the gaggle of family. We had our youngest son and his girlfriend here for the week. I’m pleased that you eked out some time to read my story and liked it, too.
Now I’m off to read your story come lately. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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