PHOTO PROMPT © Lucy Fridkin
This is an absolute first for me! I’ve never posted a second Friday Fictioneers story. However, after reading Kent Bonham’s STOOD UP? and the ensuing comments between readers and author, it seemed to cry out for the other side of the story. Maybe it’s all those plummy Hallmark channel holiday movies, but here’s my take.
Genre: Romantic Fiction
Word Count: 100
BLIND DATE?
John came into the café at least twice a week. Julie looked forward to his wit and comfortable repartee.
He checked his watch for the fifth time. The disappointment in his eyes made Julie ache as she poured his water.
“Perhaps she got hung up in traffic.”
“Nah. Stood up again.”
Maybe there was something she could do after all—for both of them. Heart pounding, Julie made an excuse about her shift ending and dashed to the back room to change.
John’s mouth dropped when she returned and squeezed his hand. “Sorry, I’m late. I had to work.”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
I enjoyed this version very much. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Dear Je,
I’m glad you enjoyed this little story. Thanks for taking the time to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Dear Rochelle,
What a wise woman Julie is😉
Best wishes
Helene
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Helene,
I think she finally got to act on an unspoken desire. My guess is that John and Julie have each found their breshert, their beloveds.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Breshert is beautiful.
LikeLike
Very good, Rochelle, but you’re just trying to cover for her now, aren’t you? The little minx put that poor boy through hell in the original version. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Michael,
All those hours of unrequited love on her part perhaps? Even with the other side of it there are a number of ways to read the story. I like to think that she’s been in love with him all along and doesn’t like to see him hurt. 😉 (That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.)
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 2 people
I absolutely LOVE this!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dale. It was a fun write. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 2 people
I like it, I like it a lot. Well done Master. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Bridget. It needed to be written. So I ‘writ’ it. 😉 Glad it works.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 2 people
The story I read was the one you suggested, Rochelle – she loves him, she’s not his real blind date, but feels sorry for him (and perhaps seizes her chance). What fun! I once wrote a story with someone where we each described the same events from the viewpoint of different protagonists. It was very revealing
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Neil,
I’m glad someone else saw it the way I did. I believe Julia seized her chance. 😉
As you may remember, this past summer I re-posted two flash fictions of two sides of the same story that Doug MacIlroy and I collaborated on. It was a great experience that he referred to as “lightning in a bottle.”
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow. I think that was one of the sweetest stories I’ve ever read.
LikeLike
Thank you, Adam. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
I’m in love with Julie already.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Patrick,
Julie is a sweetheart and going after what she truly wants. 😉 Thank you,
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
I often wonder how some stories would change if written from a slightly different perspective.
LikeLike
Dear Michael,
That’s exactly why I wrote this one. I wanted to see it from her point of view. 😉 Thank you for reading a second one from me.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
I like your version a touch better, because she isn’t a heartless tease who made the man wait for almost two hours. Instead, she takes a chance at happiness for both of them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Kirizar,
That was actually my motive for writing Julia’s side of it. Kent did say that it wasn’t necessarily his intent for her to be a heartless tease. He ran out of words. I love a happy ending even though I don’t always write them. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
We should devote one FF to writing a new twist or different character’s view from another Fictioneer’s story. For instance maybe my murdered drug cartel was really an undercover CIA agent. I liked both versions of this tale.
Paz,
Tracey
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dear Tracey,
I don’t know if I’d want everyone to write more than one story every week. On the other hand it’s a great idea. That’s the beauty of writing a novel. One character might see it one way while the other has a different motive. At any rate, I’m glad you like both versions of the tale. Thank you for taking the time to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
One of the bloggers I follow wrote the beginning of a story and had each of us write the next part! Very cool exercise…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, well, well … this has been a GAS! You have redeemed Julie! And, yeah, maybe she DID need her side of the story to be told. Again, this is what rerunning content is about … seeing how the newer crop of Fictioneers would view a story, to bail us out of a situation and to see if a story needs a re-write.
Five out of five gluten-free baguettes. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s been a treat for us to read both stories..
LikeLike
I’m happy we got the conversation ball rolling.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I want garlic infused oil with those gluten free baguettes.
LikeLike
You got it!
LikeLike
i didn’t see that coming. Love it
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Promise. Glad you liked it. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
That gives a whole different perspective, well done! I think they make a cute couple. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Joy,
I had fun writing this one. It took me by surprise yesterday morning. As I said, I’ve never written two different stories in one week. But Julie just begged for her side of the story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, a different side to it! I guess if the original blind date doesn’t turn up, anyone can step in with no-one the wiser. Sweet 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Ali,
I think Julie saw it as opportunity knocking. She really cares about John. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Thank you for indulging my double dipping. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
You get to post as many as you like!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Louise. I just couldn’t let this opportunity pass me by. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Doris Day-O,
As I explained to Cuzin’ Notnik, the girl was visually impaired and could have become confused or been intentionally misdirected my Ms. Julie (who apparently had been lusting over John for several months now). I sense there’s more to this than meets the eye.
Off to CE’s blog now to see if I can locate the blind girl’s remains,
Fester Ledbelly
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Fester Ledbelly,
You could be right. Julie has most definitely had the hots for John for sometime. Perhaps Mr. Ayr can shed some light on the disappearance of John’s blind date. 😉
Shalom,
Doris Day-O Daaaay-O…Daylight come and me wan’ go home….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, I’ve been singing that for the last 24 hours too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What is this, anyway? Old Song Weekend? 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooooooo lovely take Rochelle! A great second story!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Laurie. Julie made me do it. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful little story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jelli. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
It worked out so well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you think so, Larry. i thought so, too. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
I remember Kent’s story from a few years ago and this is the perfect balance between what could have been, what was planned and how it happened.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Alicia,
Since Kent posted his story again this week it begged for Julie’s side of it. I’ve never posted two stories in one week. This is a first. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good second story. Kent’s original story feels more complete with this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Ansumani,
My hope was to tell the other side of the story. I’m happy it feels complete to you. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
How adorable and romantic! You just never know.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Anne,
Someone had to make the first move. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
A two for one special this week. Seems John and Julie aren’t the only lucky ones.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! With a heart like Julie’s …he can’t go wrong! What a wonderful thing to do! I’m hoping things worked out for them. Love this story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Jessie,
Julie’s a keeper I think. Thank you for stopping by to read and comment. Glad you liked it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Honie,
Your comment makes me smile. As I said, this is a first for me. One story is usually all that I can muster.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Ooh, so romantic. Times like this, you just have to say, “It was meant to be!” Now, I must read Kent’s. That’s cool that he inspired a second story! Great job on this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Amy,
This was fun to write. I just felt like Kent’s story begged for more. He told me to go for it, so I did. 😀 I love it when a plan comes together. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good story, Rochelle. As I wrote in the comments on Kent’s story, she didn’t seem like the type to be cruel. Good writing as always. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Suzanne,
I don’t think Julie was cruel. I personally see her as someone whose kept her feelings to herself for some time and saw the opportunity. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Rochelle
Such a sweet story. I hate it when someone gets stood up, so I like to think that she saved him and they lived happily ever after 🙂
All best wishes
Sarah
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Sarah,
You echo my sentiments to a t. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t like him. I hope she doesn’t get disappointed. She has such a golden heart and he can’t see beyond a work uniform. Lovely writing, Rochelle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Gabi,
I suppose that’s one way to look at it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
In hindsight my comment sounds unnecessarily grumpy. I think it’s lovely writing. It’s not my kind of romance, that’s all. 🙂
LikeLike
Not grumpy at all, Gabi. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good one Rochelle. I, however, want her to be the real blind date! Sorry!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Sabina,
No need to apologize. It’s been fun to see how many different thoughts and opinions have come out of the two stories. I myself wanted a happy ending either way. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
She wasn’t the blind date.
“Twelve! Twelve … it was TWE-E-E-E-L-V-E!” 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahahahahahahahahahah. 😀 Thank you for sharing Julie and John with me, Cuz, cause this has been ever so much fun!
LikeLike
💟
LikeLike
Aww… I loved it! Great ending! She has a big heart and maybe the “blind date” was SUPPOSED to stand him up! Everything happens for a reason, I always say! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Courtney,
It was fun to write a happy ending. I think John and Julie will be happily grateful to the no-show blind date ever after. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was just telling Kent I liked the story better if she wasn’t really his blind date. Thanks for appeasing me 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dawn,
Obviously great minds think alike. 😉 Happy to oblige.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bravo for you Rochelle, doing a second! You’ve certainly read enough of them!! I too was on the side of Julie being the date all along, but I like the approach you took. Either way, yes, a happy ending and a story for their kids! 😉
LikeLike
Dear Dawn,
Since it was Cuzzin Kent I kind of expected him to welcome my input. I love the way this impromptu collaboration caused people to actually take sides. 😀 It means folks are seeing a story and not ‘writing.’ Like I said, I’ve been binge watching the Hallmark channel Christmas movies…my guilty pleasure. Always a happy ending…pretty predictable stuff. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Tena. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great to have another view to the same story
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Björn,
Julie’s side of it was just begging to be written. And it was fun. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
! Dear Courtney,
It was fun to write a happy ending.
LikeLike