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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.
PHOTO PROMPT – © Jennifer Pendergast
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Today I’m on my way to North Carolina with a supply of masks to visit my one and only brother. So once more, a SUMMER RERUN. If you wrote a story for this prompt from 10 April 2015, feel free to rerun yours. Thank you for understanding.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
ONLY THE MOUNTAIN REMAINS
My dearest Zhilan,
This night my thoughts turn toward home and you. I cherish the times we invited the moon to join us as we shared rice wine. Remember how we dreamed I would find Gold Mountain?
Now my journey is hard and my days are filled with the pickaxe and train tracks. Never will I see you again, my fragrant orchid, nor our precious son…
***
“Fever musta took him.” Levi knelt beside the body and pried a piece of crumpled paper from its stiff hand. “Whatcha make a this?”
Orville squinted and shrugged. “Jest some ignorant Chinee scribbles.”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Absolutely beautiful, Rochelle
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Thank you, Neil.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m sure that’s a true story and heartbreaking so. So very well told, Rochelle!
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Dear Joy,
It’s not a particular true story, but no doubt accurate. Thank you so much for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very sad treatment of the immigrant Chinese in the days of building the railways. Good story.
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Thank you, m’luv.
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Sad story.. beautiful written😊
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Enjoy the vacation Rochelle. A touching snippet of history as always.
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Thank you on both counts, Iain 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Just as fabulous as the first time (and the first time a repeat is one I have participated in!) Have fun with your brother!
Shalom and lotsa vacation love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
And I’m so glad you came aboard! 5 years already. Wow! Thank you. Thank you.
Shalom and lotsa getaway hugs,
Rochelle
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Me too!!
😘
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It’s As well done as it’s sad. It matches the picture, with a good use of their vernacular speech too
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Thank you for such a lovely comment, Larry.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A very sad story, but I’m sure pretty accurate for the times. Very well done.
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Dear Trent,
i’ll never understand that faction that’s convinced they’re superior to other humans. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I cannot understand that either…
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A lovely story based on the tragedies of the Chinese working on the U.S. railroads. There must have been many deaths among the railroad workers. One of my great aunts was married to a railroad worker. She and her three children were living with her parents since he was out in the west. She received word one day that he had died. She never remarried. Good writing, Rochelle. —- Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
How tragic for your great aunt. But thank you for sharing that tidbit. And than you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is so incredibly sad. His poor wife never heard from him again, and must have grieved so deeply for a long time. Beautiful story.
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Dear Linda,
I can only imagine the heartbreak. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Bittersweet story again, Rochelle – these seem to be your forte. This week is a little different from last so I may not participate, but I will enjoy reading a few!
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Dear Jen,
Thank you for your kind words. It’s good to see you here, even if it’s just to comment on my story. No doubt you recognize the photo.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember this one. It was just after I started doing this prompt. I came close to following suit and retreading mine, but thought I’d pony up instead. Well done.
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Dear Josh,
Glad you came aboard and brought your little…um…er …friend. Glad you liked my story then and now. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, Rochelle! That was powerful and beautiful. The letter was poetic and the ending heartbreaking. I’m glad you reran it since I wasn’t around for the original run. Even if I were, it’d be worth a reread.
Have a good, safe trip.
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Dear Nobbin,
Many have come and gone in FF. One of the advantages, is a virtually new audience. 😉 Thank you so much for your lovely comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well done, Rochelle.
Well, it’s new to me. 🙂 And while gripping and sad, this story shines a light into the darker side of humanity and history. There are others.
Told well, no matter when you first wrote it.
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
The beauty of doing a challenge that’s lasted over 8 years, is a fresh audience periodically. Of course there are a few still participating who were with FF before I assumed the driver’s seat. 😉 Thank you for your wonderful comment. Happy to repost one of my favorites.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It is a good story. The contrast between the gentleness of the first lines and the contempt in Orville’s words is striking, but above all painful.
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Dear Gabriella,
As a writer, you know, we don’t always like our characters. I, personally, would like to smack Orville up the side of his ignorant head. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sad story. Well done.
Shalom,
Ronda
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Thank you, Ronda.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A slice of history well told.
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Thank you so much, Neel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, “the good old days.” My heart goes out to unsung heroes through all places in all times. Hope you are having a fun time with your bro, Rochelle.
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Dear Lisa,
It was a sad part of American history. I’m having a great time thus far. 😀 Thank you
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Poignant as always, and a piece of history so many did not see then and forgot by now. Thank you for that.
Have a safe and healthy and good travel! Hugs galore, Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
It is a sad chapter of American history. Thank you for your kind words re my story.
As I reply, I have a fur baby sharing my chair. He’s become a permanent fixture with me on this particular chair. My leg warmer. My brother says we have to go to the beach again Monday. If must, I must. 😉
Shalom and hugs back atcha,
Rochelle
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I know, the sacrifices one makes – giving up one’s lap for a fur-ball, going to the beach (again!). Sigh … 😉
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Wonderful Rochelle. We owe a lot of our nation’s prosperity to the cheap labor that built our railroad system. It wouldn’t have been possible without the Chinese immigrants who built the lines for pennies.
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Dear Eric,
So much to say here in agreement. 😉 I think i’ll leave my reply at “Thank you.” 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thought I’d drop by for a visit.
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Welcome back, James. Hope you read my story while you were in the neighborhood.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Excellent!
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Thank you, Dawn!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My comment from 2015 still stands – “From descriptively romantic through sad to the tragic ending. Just another immigrant worker dead and forgotten about. Beautifully written.”
On that post I also commented that your debut novel sounded like it was coming along well – how far your journey has progressed on that front in just a few years 🙂
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Dear Ali,
Thank you for repeating such a lovely comment, 😀 It is kind of amazing to look back on the last five years and see how different my life is. At this time 5 years ago, I still had a few months to go before retiring from my day job. Can’t say I miss that. Thank you again.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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People had it tough back then. I think we are spoilt in the 21st century (a generalised statement of course).
Enjoy your get away!!
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Dear Tanille,
I wish I could say we’re smarter than we were then, but I’m not so sure. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The moon and rice wine. Just the linking of those two graphics is so evocative. Enjoy your journey, stay safe.
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Thank you on both counts, Sandra, So far the vacation is being wonderful.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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How insightful of you Rochelle and such a sad rendering of the life of the Chinese workers of the day. No family with them, and nobody to understand the message they left.
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Dear Trish,
I can only imagine what that must’ve been like. Bigotry makes me crazy, Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Heartbreaking story, done so beautifully with the two contrasting attitudes (another story in itself).
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Thank you so much, Subroto.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I wonder what their thoughts would have been if they’d understood the ‘scribbles’.
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Dear Keith,
I wonder, too. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow. I loved this. The revelation at the end is so powerful. Well done!
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Dear Paula,
Thank you for such a glowing comment/compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautifully told and strikingly powerful.
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Thank you so much, Jeanne. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
The story reads as fresh as the first time it was written. The sign of a great writer.
You done good my dear, and why not?
I’ve edited my original story from this prompt. It shocked me to see it was from April, 2015.
El tiempo pasa tan rapido. Que las pases bien con su familia. Espero que las playas esten abierta para que pueda nadar. Siempre es bueno pasar tiempo con nos queridos.
Abrazos y Carino,
Isadora 😎😍🤗
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Querida Isadora,
Es verdad. I have been able to swim. Familia. Es muy bueno pasar tiempo con ellos. Gracias entre me cuento. 😉
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
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Such sadness, when all he wanted was to earn enough for his family. Enjoy your visit to yours!
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Thank you, Liz. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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what can i say, their lives matter too.
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Yes, Plaridel, their lives did mater. Sadly, not everyone saw it that way.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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On point, as always. You pack a punch tiny dragon!
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Thank you so much, StepHonie. 😉 You make me smile.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A hard hard life. So painful. Beautifully written
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Thank you, Laurie.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is a work of art.
Even by your exalted standards, m’lady, it is magnificent.
Please forgive the tardiness of my visit, it has been that sort of week.
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Dear CE,
Nothing to forgive with a lovely comment like that. I’m a little tardy on the replies as well since I’m also out of town. Hope you’ve had a good visit in your homeland.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful post. I like
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Dear CE,
Nothing to forgive with a lovely comment like that. I’m a little tardy on the replies as well since I’m also out of town. Hope you’ve had a good visit in your homeland.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A sad story, to many gifted individuals are denied the ability to create.
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Thank you, Mike.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I thought I already commented on this one, but maybe I needed time. Another heartbreaking bit of human history.
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Thank you, Genia.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sad and beautifully written story, Rochelle.
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Thank you, Adele.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome, Rochelle 🙂
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Such a poignant story, so gently told, about a harsh and exploitative situation.
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Thank you for such a lovely comment, Francine. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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