Our Mantra
The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
![](https://rochellewisoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/janet-webb-french-still-life.jpg?w=600&h=596)
PHOTO PROMPT © Janet Webb
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100
BUTTON-DOWN CONFESSION
My mother’s button collection fascinated me. Among my favorites were pearly ones with silver trim or grape-shaped ones made of glass. Like the jar in which she stored them, they smelled of stale mustard.
One afternoon I dumped them out on the table. A shiny blue straggler embossed with curvy white leaves rolled toward the edge. Mom caught it.
Her faraway eyes sparkled like the button itself. “My dress fastened in front. Indigo satin. He called me Princess Blue Belle.”
“Cute. Daddy’s clever, isn’t he?”
“Oops!” Blushing, she crammed the button into her pocket. “Time to clean up for supper.”
*
*
*
That is glorious, Rochelle. It explodes like a firework at the end
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Many thanks for such a wonderful comment, Neil. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You open up a parallel existence with that last line 🙂
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Dear Jane,
We never think of our parents having a past, do we? Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Certainly not an exciting one 🙂
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Hahaha, nice one, Rochelle.
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Thank you, Kitty.
Shalom,
Rochelle 😀
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Welcome, Rochelle 🙂
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Mothers have their private (and precious) memories!
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Dear Petruj,
We forget our mothers were once passionate young women, don’t we? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a clever little twist at the end, Rochelle! Brilliant. And a great prompt too. Cheers, Varad
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Thank you for such a lovely comment/compliment, Varad. I’m glad you enjoyed my little story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Mother may have said too much. Oops indeed.
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Dear Adam,
Mom did slip a bit there, didn’t she? Thanks for reading and commenting. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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unbelievably imaginative, that’s probably how good writers are! Thanks for the opportunity to explore this brilliant world. Thanks for sharing the beautiful artwork with a very beautiful story, Rochelle.
Best wishes,
Moon.
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Dear Moon,
Thank you on all counts. I’m glad you enjoyed the story and the artwork. Both writing and art are equal passions of mine so I love when I can share both at once.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ha… not the right time to tell your daughter about what happened before daddy (at least that is what I thought).
Björn
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Dear Björn,
There is a time and a place for everything, isn’t there. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love the style in this one. Great illustration, too. It matches.
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Dear Josh,
I’m glad you stopped by. Writing and illustration are things we share. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You reminded me here of my own fascination with my grandmother’s button box. Even today I can remember the shapes, colours and designs of them. I wonder who keeps button boxes today, and whether they still hold the same fascination for children. You captured a nostalgic slice of the past here, with a saucy little twist in the tale. Well written, as always.
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Dear Sandra,
The button box or jar seems to be a thing of the past. My mom’s jar is one of the happy memories of my childhood. I played with them for hours on end. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wrong, ladies. 🙂 I’m happy to tell you that I have a button collection myself — though it’s more organized than the button jar of yesteryear.
Good story Rochelle, with a very quick ‘save’ at the end.
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Oops… I like this. Each button a memory, but some buttons, perhaps, are not meant for public display or a child’s curiosity.
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Dear Trent,
It’s for certain that mom’s need to be careful what they divulge to their progeny. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Awww, what a delightful moment 🙂 Of course it made me think of my mom’s button jar(s) as well as my own collection.
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Dear Linda,
The button jar seems to be (sadly) a think of the past. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Aw.. so cute.. it does happen..
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Dear Lata,
Mothers do have a right to their pasts. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My mom had a college photo of herself holding some girl over a railing! That’s about as wild as my mom got in those days. And here I thought she was a boring little farm girl.
Then again, if you grew up used to seeing the animals doing the nasty ….
Five out of five WTFs. 😀
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Dear Cuzzin Kent,
On behalf of myself and the Academy (Sports) I accept the five WTF’s. They will look nice on the mantel. Mil gracias.
Shalom,
Cuzzin Shelley
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😀
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Beautiful painting, Rochelle! And lovely story! I wonder if there is more to the blush …. 😉
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Dear Joyful,
I think there was plenty behind her blush. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That could have been a tad awkward! Delightful Rochelle.
Please click to read my FriFic
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Dear Keith,
There are some things our children don’t need to know. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a lovely story Rochelle and the picture is beautiful too 🙂
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Thank you on both counts, Dahlia. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love this story. Such a great ending without saying much. What a way to hide the tree in the forest. The watercolor is really good one of your Mom.
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Dear Jan,
It’s all about what you don’t see, isn’t it? Hiding in plain sight. Thanks, m’love.
Rochelle
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I love this kind of story. Beautifully written, Rochelle.
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Thank you, Annie. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Whoops! Those parents having a life before the children came along – some of it is best kept private! Lovely story Rochelle.
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Dear Iain,
Parents are allowed have lives? 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle. Beautiful story. Really love your writing. Love and hugs for such a wonderful story. Shalom.
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Dear Indira,
Many thanks for the hugs and compliments. ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sometimes we don’t realise that our parents were their own individual selfs before they became well, parents! Enjoyed the little tale:)
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Dear Namy-Namratha 😉
It’s hard to imagine our parents’ past lives, isn’t it? Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love the “oops” moment and the blush and how you tied it all together with something as memorable and yet innocuous as a button.
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Dear Sascha,
Thank you for such a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I do like how you tied the story into the most wonderful painting of your mother! So well done.
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Dear Lish,
It was kind of sneaky on my part to post that painting on Facebook when I really was doing it to go with this story. 😉 Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Not sneaky. Get your work out there when you can!!!!
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Oops. Mom gave something away there. Yes, Mom was once much younger and thirsting for romance. Seems she found it. Lovely and fun story, Rochelle!
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Dear Eric,
Moms weren’t always moms, were they? Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a confection! Loved it 🙂
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Thank you for such a sweet comment, Karen. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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If Mom’s button was revealing, can you imagine my surprise when, at the age of about thirty, I learned that my mom had had a child before she married my dad —and I had a sibling out there somewhere? Yes, Moms do sometimes have a shocker in their past. 🙂
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Dear Christine,
Wow! That must’ve been quite a surprise. My mother did have another beau before my dad, but as far as I know, no siblings to speak of.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well, now, what a lovely little mystery we have here. Some tales are best untold, I suppose. I used to have a tall pickle jar (2.5 gal) jar full of buttons and beads (a wedding shower gift from the oldest member of the church), and oh, if they could tell the stories of where they’d been. Wish I still had it. Just remembering, I can smell the faint tinge of dill pickle.
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Dear Jelli,
I’ve fond memories of that jar. It broke some time ago…I think one of my kids dropped it. Then I put the buttons in a cookie tin. I’m not sure where it went to. It’s possible that the boys played with and lost them or they could be buried amongst unpacked boxes in our subbasement. At any rate, I do still remember the mustard smell. 😉 Thank you for taking the time to read and share.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely story that brings back memories of my mothers button box and how as a child a cherished the fancy buttons. Loved the interesting twist at the end.
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Dear Cindy,
As Rod Stewart sang, “Every picture tells as story…” I think those old buttons had stories to tell as well. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely! Always be careful of the unguarded comment around young ears….. And what a wonderful picture to go with it! You are very talented 🙂
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Dear Louise,
We do let things slip from time to time, don’t we? I think mom was so caught up in her memory…;) Thank you on both counts.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely, big smile from this one!
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😀 Thank you, Dawn.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That is so romantic..
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Thank you, Trina. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Little glimpses into one’s parents youth are eldlessly fascinating. What I remember about Mum’s button box was having to pick them out of the rag rug after my baby sister had played with them!
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Dear Liz,
In this case, I was the baby sister. 😉 Funny how, when we’re children, it’s hard to think of our parents as people with pasts. That comes when we’re ever so much older. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Some exotic Indian prince, no doubt. Ah, what a story lies therein.
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Dear Patrick,
Actually Mom did have a story…nothing so grand as a prince. 😉 Thank you for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hmm, I wonder how that button came flying off? 🙂
I like the little detail of the jar and buttons smelling of mustard, and great artwork!
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Dear Ali,
Hmmm…actually, the button was…oh never mind. 😳 Thank you for your comments/compliments…always appreciated.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Bahahaha brilliant piece! I love her reaction when she realizes! My nana did a lot of sewing! There were buttons everywhere you looked! Gorgeous story 😆
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Dear Laurie,
Everyone has some kind of a past, don’t they? 😉 Thank you for such a lovely compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Her dress buttoned and *ahem* unbuttoned from the front. Nice one.
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Dear James,
With this lady I doubt it ever went that far. 😎 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Then why did she blush?
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Because he was the one who got away…probably her true love.
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Dear Rochelle,
This is just wonderful.
Those dresses with front buttons were very convenient for many reasons, especially playful ones 😉 No doubt they featured in many fantasies, too!
I just love the illustration and can clearly see the family likeness.
All best wishes,
Sarah
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Dear Sarah,
I suppose there’s some family resemblance. 😉 However, the older I get the more I see my Aunt Lucille on my dad’s side. I’m thinking it might be fun to do a series of paintings based on my mom’s old photos. Some of the ones she took with her friends and family in the 1930’s are classics.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That would be wonderful, Rochelle. I love all the wonderful fashions from that time 🙂
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This is lovely, both, the story and the illustration. I hope the narrator gets to hear the story eventually. Eventually we learn to see our parents as people. And I love buttons, too. I never throw them away.
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Dear Gabriele,
The narrator did get to hear the story later in life. Sadly, he was the one who got away because in those days, the girl waited for the boy to make the first move. I wish I knew where that button collection went. Chances are it’s entombed in our subbasement with other missing articles from our move ten years ago.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Button jars; such stories can they tell, but perhaps none better than yours.
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Ah, Michael, what a lovely thing to say. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good story, Rochelle with great descriptions. I found old love letters Dad wrote to Mom and she was upset with me. They never talked much about that subject. They were in their 40’s when I came along. Good writing as always. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
My mom kept a scrapbook of her letters that she and dad wrote to each other during WWII, They were delightful. Actually my parents were just entering their 40’s when I was born. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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We can never really know our parents because we are all so self-centered, especially as children. This was one of my favorite sketches. You have been a busy artist lately. You amaze me with your talents.
Thank you Rochelle for sharing your talent,
Tracey
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Dear Tracey,
I’m busily working on a coffee table book that will be a companion to my three novels. Before I discovered my passion for writing I was visual artist. Now I get to visit both playgrounds. I have several illustrations to go before being ready to put the book together. Miles to go before I sleep.
This piece, however, I confess to painting to go with this story. So much fun.
I agree about children. It’s all about us until we hit a certain age. Alas, some never reach that age…emotionally. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS Sorry to have run on so.
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No apology needed and your art is beautiful and full of life.
Paz
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it was a twist i didn’t expect at the end. such a well-crafted story.
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Thank you, Plaridel. That means a lot.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I am old now to appreciate this lovely story of yours Rochelle. In younger times I would have been washing my mind with soap. That sketch is fabulous too.
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Dear Subroto,
Thank you for the giggle and the compliment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
Su arte es una maravilla, mi amiga. You’re portraits are so very well done. It’s difficult to achieve. May I say you look like your mother in this artwork? She was a beautiful woman.
I’m sure you know that.
Your story gives us a peak into the relationship of your parents. A loving couple with sweet memories because of it. Thank you for allowing us inside their love.
Espero le guste mi cuento … me pase por una palabra – disculpa.
Love Janet’s photograph. I had commented on it when she posted it on her blog. Good choice, my dear.
Abrazos y Shalom,
Isadora 😎
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Querida Isadora,
Gracias a Dios para Google Translate. 😉 Necesito estudiar mas.
Some say I look like my mother and others my dad. As I’ve gotten older I see my Aunt Lucille more and more….she was dad’s hermana.
There’s some fact and some fiction rolled into this story. Although my dad wasn’t who she was reminiscing about. 😉
I fell in love with Janet’s photo and asked permission to use it. She has a great eye for photography, doesn’t she?
Muchas gracias como siempre mi amiga.
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
I’ve just befriended Siri. I was very resistant. Each time I’d turn my phone on she’d start nagging me. I love her now. She took me to many place I would have had to research a lot more without her help. The WWW like it or not it is sooo helpful. 😊
I think we get bits a pieces from many relatives. Many have said I resemble my grandmother. I’ll take it. She was quite a looker. And, quite the fun-loving gal. She may have had a few reminiscing thoughts like your mom. hehe She was married 3 times. 😳 I shall burn all evidence of my past so no one knows a thing after I’m gone. LOL Gosh … Janet’s photo was not only great but it has afforded so much dialog.
Gracias mi amiga por su apollo. Siempre me encata hablar contigo. Eres un marvilla.
Amor y abrazos – Shalom,
Isadora 😎
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Hi Rochelle,
I made it around to this part of the world this week. Your story really made me smile. I remember when I was young and we’d go through Mom’s button collection and look at all the different kinds. I don’t know if any of them had such an interesting history as in your story, but then again, Mom never said. 🙂 Hope the summer is going well for you.
-David
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Dear David,
I don’t know that my mother’s buttons had histories that were that interesting. But it was fun to imagine. I do know there was ‘the one who got away.’ I think she always regretted not letting him know her feelings for him.
I’m happy I made you smile because seeing you here makes me smile. We’re even. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful story. Really enjoyed this. And the artwork is beautiful too. The lady looks so happy and content. Thanks for this!
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Thank you for such lovely comments, Fluid Phrase…on all counts. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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(I was so sure I left a comment here some hours ago, but maybe not. So here goes again.)
Love the final twist… the inner knowing of the adult glossing over details to the child is beautifully expressed. And adore your painting. The expression on the woman’s face is one that suggests a secret or two is tucked away. Most befitting for the story.
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Dear Gemma,
There are just somethings that are best left in the unknown, aren’t there? Thank you for taking the time to read and leave such lovely comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Like all the best stories, this one hints at many other stories surrounding it. It’s not so much a story, more a tiny window into another world. Lovely!
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Dear Penny,
We can only imagine who’s going through the mother’s head at that moment. We just know for certain it’s not “Daddy.” 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful! I’m guessing it’s a true story too?
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Dear JS,
A good part of it’s based on facts. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear H.K.M.A.W-F.,
I got a chuckle from the last line. I interviewed my mother in the Story Corps bus when she was 90. They send a copy to the Library of Congress and one to your local museum. Mom shared some great stories about her 1st washing machine (gasoline motor) and an emotional one regarding her baptism. When I started quizzing her about boyfriends before Dad, she locked up tighter than a bank vault.
Loved the fine art,
Jack
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Dear Calamity Jack,
There were things my mother devulged to me when I was a bit older than the little girl in the story. But those are classified. 😉 Happy you chuckled.
Shalom,
Helen (back)
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I love it, love it, love it. Daughters learn many things from mothers — even the fact that you really can love more than one wonderful man in a lifetime — one at a time, of course. One of the really precious possessions that my sister and I share from our mother is the engagement ring that she received from the young man she loved first in her life. It was during World War II, and he was a sailor. He was killed in combat, and never returned home to her. A few year later, she met my dad — just home from the war himself — and the rest, as they say, is history. It always saddened me to know my mother had suffered such loss and sadness, but then I’ve always been so grateful that she and my dad had a wonderful, love-filled marriage, and that I’m part of the result. But she always kept that ring, and with my dad’s blessing.
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Dear Sandra,
What a lovely story. Thank you for sharing that with me. Glad you liked mine and took the time to say so (and more). Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Delightful story, although I also want the story your last line hints at. Love the illustration with this one too.
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Dear Sarah Ann,
Perhaps another time I’ll recount the story behind the story…or maybe not. 😉 Thank you on both counts. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful. The past recalled to color the present!
The uplifting into the clouds and downletting into reality. Its what makes the mundane exhilarating!
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Dear Sabina,
Thank you for such an amazing and poetic comment. 😀 We are writers after all. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Exactly!💐
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A dear elderly friend told me that when they were girls, “drawers” or “knickers” buttoned onto the band of a “waist” — an undershirt sort of thing. (?) Four buttons for each waistband, and there were six girls. Mom had the buttons all set out ready to sew on when she got called away.
The youngest girl, not more than four, came along…and swallowed every last button. My friend said, “Of course Mother got them all back again: she just had to wait a couple of days. Couldn’t let perfectly good buttons go to waste in those years.”
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Oh dear. That makes me cringe. 😉 But it’s a great story.
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Oh what a last line!
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Glad you liked it, Louise. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hehehe mum wasn’t expecting that was she?
Loved this.
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Dear Chioma,
Mum did sort of slip on this one. Now her daughter will be forever curious about her mother’s lost love. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Assrrrghh! I cannot believe I forgot to comment!
I love that Mom has some secrets…
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Dear Dale,
Understandable with the week you had, not to mention the lack of computer. It’s tough to read and comment on a cell phone and not much better on an iPad.
I’m happy you came back to comment in any event. 😉
Certainly, moms have secrets. We are women after all. Passionate creatures we. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes… And a shock for kids to realise it! Remember “Bridges of Madison County”?
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Wanted to share mine through it’s very late. But I like the story; https://thestoryfiles.wordpress.com/2017/07/20/glitter-fridayfictoneers/
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Dear Hayley,
I did read your story. And left a comment. I hope you’ll take part in this week’s prompt. https://rochellewisoff.com/2017/07/19/21-july-2017/
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks. 🙂
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