Summer is the time for vacations, picnics on the beach and reruns on the telly. For me it’s a time to meet a deadline in July for my third novel in my series entitled AS ONE MUST ONE CAN. Many thanks to those of you who responded to my plea for your favorite reruns.
Like us on Facebook
Our Mantra:
The following photo is the PROMPT. This week’s retread request is from C.E.Ayr If you’re one of those who wrote a story for this prompt feel free to re-post it and enjoy the respite. The photo is from Rich Voza. Remember that all photos are private property and subject to copyright. Use other than Friday Fictioneers by permission only.
copyright-Rich Voza
I’m really pleased that C.E. chose this particular prompt. It’s one of my all time favorites, not because of the photo itself but because of what it meant to me. I am posting two stories with permission from Doug MacIlroy who is currently MIA and says, “Tell the FF gang I said hello and that I wish them well and that like a relative of mine once said, ‘I shall return’.”
When Doug shared his abbreviated story with me via email in February 2013 I asked what he thought about my writing the partner story. Between iPhone texts and photos we worked to make our stories exactly 200 words between the two of them. It was a labor of love and a magical experience in writing. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
Doug’s story is in the photo below.
Genre for both: Speculative Fiction
Word Count: 65
DEPARTURE CLEARANCE
Word Count: 135
FLIGHT STATUS
“Flight delayed.” Amelia snarled and closed the US Airways website. “Damn business trips!”
Memories of their argument right before Chase left gnawed at her. She regretted her spiteful words.
“I hate your job!”
“You like the money.”
“You’re never home. Your daughters don’t even know their father.”
“Next time, babe, you and the girls are coming with me.”
“What if—?”
“‘What if’ never happens.” He gathered her into his arms. “Flying’s safer than driving on the freeway.”
Five hours ago he’d texted from Phoenix. “Just a little turbulence. Nothing to worry about.”
“Mommy?” Four-year-old Katy tiptoed into the room. “Daddy sat on my bed.”
“It was only a dream, Kitten.”
“No it wasn’t. He talked to me!”
“What’d he say?”
“He’s sorry he can’t come home.”
Her phone chimed. Message from Chase.
“Dearest Amelia…”
.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
A sad but wonderful story.
I felt her pain as her new reality dawned.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Chioma,
That would be a tough text to receive, wouldn’t it?
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed it would be.
🙂
🙂
LikeLike
Beautifully written. And, of course, it’s always the last argument we dwell on in those circumstances
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Neil,
How many stories are out there of those last regrets? I hope you read the cell phone message, which was Doug’s story as he posted it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Oh. No. I didn’t. I’ll do so now
LikeLike
Love the spirit of the father visiting the daughter. Lots of grief to resolve here.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Patrick,
My husband says his father came to him that way the night he perished in a plane crash. Thank you for flying by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember this from the first time round, but it remains just as powerful on this second outing. Wonderful writing. And hello to Doug if he’s dropping in and reading comments.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Claire,
I’m hoping Doug will drop by as he’s threatened. I’m glad it works the second time around. It’s an all time favorite of mine on a number of levels.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi R.
The last time I read this I was the new kid on the block, didn’t know anyone or anything.
Your joint story gave me goosebumps then, and did again today, even though I knew what happened.
Intensely powerful writing by both of you, quite masterful.
Please give Doug my best regards, he was an early inspiration for me here.
You remain so.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear CE,
I share your goosebumps on this one, but for different reasons perhaps. The experience of writing this was incredible. We carried these two pieces out via emails and texts. As a matter of fact, Doug is still Chase in my phone’s contact list.
Thank you and I will pass on our regards, if he hasn’t already read them himself.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
I enjoyed them both, Rochelle, and such an original method of delivery. And so glad to hear that although Doug is MIA, he is at least still IA somewhere. Hugs, if you’re reading Doug.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Sandra,
I’m glad you enjoyed these two stories. We had great fun putting them together. I hope Doug reads your hugs. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Loved it then, love it now too, Rochelle. I remember how excited Doug was about this one too, although I think it was one of his last 😦
Once again, my husband is on a business trip, though, as I read it, so I’d probably rather have not!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Jen,
I’m sure your husband’s business trip will have a better outcome. Actually this wasn’t on of Doug’s last. It certainly cemented a friendship, though. Thank you for coming by. Slow go for me this week. Nearing the end of the first draft.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Well done on the draft! That’s a big milestone, even though I imagine it’s more like the end of the beginning than the beginning of the end.
LikeLike
I so much remember this story.. a wonderfully told story, and so sad. There is something so special about a parting with unresolved issues… hopefully a small closure at least. Great to do a collaboration…I look forward to Doug returning.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Björn,
This one is hard to forget for me. It’s at the top of my all time favorites…of my stories. The collaboration was so much fun. I look forward to Doug’s return, too.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Such a sad tale, but beautifully told. A poignant reminder that ‘next time’ doesn’t always materialize.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Clare,
It’s one of those things one doesn’t think about until it happens. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
plane crashes have been frequent news lately. Every traveler took away a story and left many others to be formed with a drastic beginning. A very nice take on the prompt.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Shaktiki,
Thank you for taking the time to read and leave a nice comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always read ur take on the prompt. How can i not?😉
LikeLike
Oh, I remember this one. Still good. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Cuz. 😀
LikeLike
This is horrible…but really well told! What great creative teamwork! Finishing the text message ‘Love y’ as if he knew he didn’t have time to finish typing was really effective. It’s like he was cut off mid-thought and it mirrored the way he was suddenly ripped from their lives. Using a photo of the text message rather than typing it as part of the story was also very clever.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Thom,
All of the above. I can’t take credit for Doug’s part as far as the brilliant idea of telling his story in a text message. It was also one of the reasons his had to be no more than 65 words. You can’t get 100 words on the iPhone screen. What a fabulous experience it was to collaborate.
Thank you for such nice comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
A powerful story, full of mysterious and frightening resonances. And I miss Doug. Sent him a message some weeks ago. He always encouraged everyone, and his stories were always excellent.
I love this collaboration between you two – seamless! I’m glad he came to visit, at least.
(And please let your husband know I’m sorry about his father’s demise in a crash. I read your comment about how he appeared before your husband at that point, and I had goosebumps.)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Vijaya,
Thank you for the comments re my story. I miss Doug, too. I’m sure he’ll appreciate your message.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember this one so much. It held a personal memory for me and gave me goose bumps when I read it. A great, although sad, story. Don’t leave home without hugging, kissing or saying “I love you” to your loved ones. You never know………
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow. That is an awesome collaboration and the piece(s) were so real I was feeling so much for these characters!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear MTO,
A writer can’t ask for a better comment. As for the collaboratin…it was an amzing experience.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rochelle, just herewith a Big Thanks for hosting Friday Fictioneers over the years. In my post, linked, I mentioned about how I grew as a writer through this forum.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Petruj,
My pleasure. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
that’s interesting, but a poignant story. the night my grandfather passed away, my father thought that he (grandfather) was in the lane below calling him by his name.
http://obliqview.blogspot.in/2016/06/one-hour-prompt-rich-voza-she-had.html
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Arora.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Dear Rochelle,
A fantastic piece of writing! Heart breaking and very real. I had a similar event (with the dad appearing to the child) myself when I was little. It was my nanny, sat on the end of the bed, after I told my mum what I’d dreamt she then told me she’d died that night. Freaks me out a little bit lol
Huge hugs,
Heidi 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Heidi,
It’s the kind of thing that makes you wonder, doesn’t it. Thank you for comments and compliments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sad and educational, too. I never knew what those terms meant. Amazing how such a small thing can cause so much havoc. I love the cross between different mediums (texts on different phones and then the brief narrative.) A really beautiful effect.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear, Anne.,
I thank you on behalf of myself and Doug. This was some of the most fun I’ve ever had in writing.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Such a heart wrenching story. Feel sad for the kids. The kid having a premonition made the story more compelling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, Samra.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
I love the idea of collaborating with another writer. This worked beautifully. Maybe I should team up with one of our “killer” Fictioneers. There would always be work for a surgeon.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Tracey,
This collaboration was an incredible experience. Nothing to compare to it since. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this very clever story, with its unique format and powerful message. You and Doug work well together 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Jan,
Doug and I did make a good team, didn’t we? It was a great experience.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Rochelle, I remember these two stories from when you posted them originally! Doug’s made a big impact on me, especially the unconventional way he presented it. I’m glad he’s doing okay; I miss seeing him around here. Not that I haven’t been a little MIA myself lately. 🙂
-David
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear David,
It was an unusual presentation, wasn’t it? Very clever. I miss him, too.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
in life, there’ll always be risks. people die even in the comfort of their homes. death is our destiny.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Plaridel,
True. We never know where or when.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is fantastic. Both stories fit together seamlessly, both are powerful and touching. This cooperation must have been a lot of fun. I came too late into the game to know Doug well, but I miss him too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Gabriele,
Doug was a fixture when I joined FF. I miss him, too. This was a great experience. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tragic, very sad. Thanks for the links, I didn’t know either of those acronyms!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Many thanks, Ali.
LikeLike
Unique way to combine the two stories but they worked really well together.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Subroto. 😀
LikeLike
Great combined story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, Trent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is brilliant, Rochelle! Doug’s little piece was the perfect starter. Collaborations are fun aren’t they? I’ve had the privilege of working with two brilliant poets here on WordPress.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Josslyn,
This is the only time I’ve collaborated on an FF prompt. It was great fun and an amazing experience. Glad you liked it. Thank you for taking the time to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Rochelle! 🙂
LikeLike
The timeless theme of regret because it’s too late; too often that’s when the lights go off! Well written.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, Kevin. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome
LikeLike
Between the two of you, you’ve got me crying.,
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Alice. 😀
LikeLike
Both stories are heartrending but great, Rochelle. They’re so well written. Thanks for sharing Doug’s story with those of us who hadn’t read it before. —- Suzanne
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Suzanne,
This collaboration was one of my all time high points. Happy to share both stories. Glad you enjoyed them.
Thank You.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my god. The moment the little girl told her about him sitting on her bed
LikeLiked by 1 person
… i gasped … oh no i thought. Then to see the picture… so sad… very well told (Hit enter too soon)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Laurie. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a brilliant delivery and excellent melding together of the two stories. I’ve often wondered if spirits do get that one last visit to a loved one. There seems to be so many reports of happenings like it and I saw my father, we shared a laugh together but, whether it’s the state of mind of the living person or whether it actually happens we’ll probably never be able to prove.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Michael,
My jury is out on this. With all the similar stories, I can’t discount them. As for the collaboration, it was an unforgettable experience. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Violet,
I remember this one well. One of my all-time favorites. Excellent collaboration with Mr. MacIlroy. It’s still as hard-hitting and powerful today as three years ago.
Staying grounded,
Ken
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Ken,
I agree with all of the above. I miss that big disc flinger,too.
Shalom,
Violet
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sad sweet stories. You and Doug make a great tteam!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dawn,
We did make a good team. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I used this prompt too, with very different results. This is a great touching story; mine ain’t.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Perry,
Thank you, I think. Yes, your take was fascinating.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Holy intensity! Marvelous story, the text message makes it so real.
LikeLike
Holy comments, Madame Writer. That was lovely. Thank you and shalom.
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
A brilliant idea and a brilliant story – two brilliant stories. Really moving, and the stories in the comments about visits from loved ones who have just died are fascinating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Margaret,
Thank you for such a wonderful comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Such a sad story and a terrible way for her to find out. It’s a good thing they did not go with him that time. Wonderful story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jessie. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person