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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.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Word Count: 100
NO WORDS
Seven years ago, after a long silence, Linda called me. “I need to hear your voice, Rocky. Are you okay?”
I laughed, happy to hear her voice. “Those eating disorder days are way behind me.”
We called her Mother Tucker. She was a platinum blonde firebrand who never suffered fools gladly. No one saw through my lies faster, loved me as fiercely or hurt me as deeply.
“I’m your bad habit.” She’d say, her eyes flashing ice-blue flames.
Recently I learned the damned virus took her. I whisper through tears, “I need to hear your voice, Linda. Are you okay?”
***
I worked with Linda Tucker in the late 90’s. She saw me through the worst of my eating disorder. She’s also the one who nicknamed me “Rocky.” No matter how I fought it, the name stuck. My former coworkers still call me Rocky. For a time Linda and I parted ways (a story for another time…or not 😉 ) We hadn’t spoken for years when she turned up on Facebook and then called. R.I.P. Mother Tucker.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Love this line ” No one saw through my lies faster, loved me as fiercely or hurt me as deeply.”
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Thank you, Neil.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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How these bad habits leave good memories…
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Well put, Reena. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Their are so many voices that I would love to hear again. Your writing is powerful
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Dear Michael,
The longer we live, the more voices we miss. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
What a wonderful story! It’s so full of interpersonal compassion and conflict, so honest and confessional. Rocky and Mother Tucker — do I even want to know? Yes, I do.
Peace (Rocky),
Bill
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Dear Bill,
Linda wasn’t the tough girl she pretended to be. Not sure why but at one point, she stopped talking to me. It was weird. And when we reconnected I asked her what happened and all she’d say was, “It wasn’t you.” So now I’ll never know. Doesn’t matter. We picked up where we left off.
You can guess on Mother Tucker. 😉 She just called me Rocky because she said I was a fighter. I didn’t think so at the time, but looking back I get it. Now I own the nickname.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ok, Rocky,
But I prefer Rochelle. Mine was Obi-Wan, and I was only in my 30s. 🙂
Peace, Bill
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Thanks for sharing. You are lucky to have had someone in your life who could see through the lies and still love you so fiercely. Strange how these, too, are the people who can hurt the most deeply.
Your story reminds me of the voices I miss — voices I sometimes hear in whispers. I hope they are okay.
Your story this week touched me deeply.
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Dear Lorraine,
Those we hold at a distance can never hurt us as deeply as those we’ve allowed full access to our hearts. Thank you so much for your affirming and lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You are welcome. You brought back bittersweet memories. But, overall, it’s good to remember such friends.
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Dear Rocky,
This was a lovely share. I agree with Neil, I love that line.
Shalom and lotsa special friend-kinda love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
And y’know, that line was the most difficult one to write. Go figure. As I said to Lorraine, “Those we hold at a distance can never hurt us as deeply as those we’ve allowed full access to our hearts.” Thank you.
Shalom and lotsa accessible friendship kinda hugs,
Rochelle
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It usually is, I say. And yes, that is so very true!
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Touching story.
Sad that we will be missing many voices over the years…
Time will come when our loved ones will miss us. Such is life.
Sad that the pandemic has expedited the process & many have gone too soon…
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Dear Anita,
All too true. The longer we live the more voices we miss. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m so sorry for your personal loss, Rochelle. I know the feeling all too well. My heartfelt prayers are with you. It is a new reality we live in, isn’t it. I’m almost too terrified to try to call old friends, this damned virus has taken so many. Just Sunday, I pulled out a cd of Native Music, popped it in the player… and their voices reminded me that they are ALL gone, now. Making new friends isn’t easy, finding a new norm less so. Know that you are loved and wrapped in the security blanket of prayer. Shalom, Dear One. Shalom, Bear.
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Dear Bear,
Thank you for your loving comments. They are appreciated to the moon and back.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Always and ever. This week we’ve both lost very dear friends. We grieve on unity.
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Oh Rochelle, I’m sorry for your loss! Life takes twisty turns, doesn’t it? Some of them more ornery than others, all of them fodder for the stuff we are and stuff we share and stuff we may or may not write about.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Am back to FF (and the bloggosphere) after a not-quite-planned-as-such time where there was just too much going on to sneak in any writing. Am still tired, but hopefully will be back to more ‘normal’ (I ain’t normal on the best days … so … 😉 ) in the coming days. Meanwhile was happy to have Dale’s photo as the prompt! 🙂 Hugs Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Someone once told me that “Normal” is a setting on a washing machine. And as John Lennon sang, “Life is what happens to us while we’re busy making other plans.” 😉 That being said, I’m happy to see you back on the squares. I hope you’re able to get some rest and time to regroup.
Thank you for your kind words. I’m happy that things were able to be resolved long before Linda passed.
Shalom and some restorative hugs,
Rochelle
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Gathering them restorative hugs and putting them within arms’ reach … 😉 Am working on it – this ended up being a more hectic trip than I’d planned for it to be, and it had started as a busy and complicated time to begin with … But, all’s well that ends well, and I’m happy to be back! xoxo
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Sorry to read of your loss, Rochelle. Those people who can see through us at times of crisis are the most valuable. He wouldn’t remember me even if we met, but I still remember a boy I barely knew who did that for me once. I wonder where he is now.
This story is so raw and honest and, like others, I love that one line that tells so much about Linda and your relationship.
Wishing you peace.
Jen
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Dear Jen,
Fortunately our reconnection was cleansing and most healing. Thank you for your kind words and compliments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah! Voices from the past. Sometimes you hear them and wonder where they went. Other times they haunt you and you wonder why they came back. But they always remind you of a life you once led and like it or not they are part of our existence real life experience. Good reflection, sad outcome.
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Dear Jan,
The longer we live, the more voices we long to hear. But we are often better people for having heard those voices, aren’t we? Thanks, m’luv.
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My old mentor called people like her angels with skin. Who says angels can’t be a little rough around the edges. When I hear she named you Rocky I think of the Sylvester Stallone character and his spirit and I also think of that song, A Boy Named Sue, where his dad tells him, “It’s your name that helped to make you strong.” My condolences on another angel going back to heaven. Thank you very much for sharing her story and her connection to you ❤
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Dear Lisa,
How I hated that nickname at first but 20 years came to appreciate it and its significance. Many of my later coworkers had no idea where it started or the rough-around-the-edges angel who gave it to me. Thank you for your encouraging comments. ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you are very welcome ❤
Shalom,
Lisa
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Dear Rochelle,
What a character! Rough around the edges, ornery, sharp, and vulnerable: “I need to hear your voice, Rocky. Are you okay?” Lovingly, you made her more than a photograph to us, and for your sake, I hope Linda is okay too. 💞
pax,
dora
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Well….that one hits home…tragedy in these days of the virus, one might say again, but each time it is as terribly sad…
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Dear Ain,
I know I’m not alone. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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As a therapist, I always referred people who came to me for help with eating disorders. My reason: I had no training in the specific area, and there were others who did, and who knew much more than I about how to help. It is very difficult, as you know, to stop the obsession and the behavior. My specialty was trauma, which often plays a part in ED, and I could help them with that. Sometimes the ED faded as the trauma was put to rest.
Anyway, I think I would have loved your Linda 🙂
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Dear Linda,
I had a wonderful therapist for a season named Audrey. After a period of time she referred me to someone else because she felt she wasn’t helping me with my eating disorder. Although, she did help me in other ways, she felt she was ill equipped to deal with Annie. For me what finally helped was hitting the point I realized I was going to die if I didn’t stop.
My Linda was quite a case herself. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s good for a therapist to know her own weaknesses. I’m glad you found help.
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Dear Rochelle,
Deep condolences on your loss. Your piece was absolutely beautiful and touched me deeply.
Peace,
Susan
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Dear Susan,
Thank you so much for your encouraging and comforting words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
It was truly a blessing for you to have had such a friend. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Shalom,
Adele
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Thank you so much Adele.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
That’s a wonderful story; I’m sorry for your loss.
“Linda was just a bit on the ornery side,” says your caption to her photograph. That may be so, but you can see the love shining out of her eyes.
Shalom
Penny
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Dear Penny,
Linda was both ornery and loving. Thank you for your comforting words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This story hits the heart, R. Life is strange, people came and go. So people leave an imprint on our soul, and despite the hurt, there will always be a strong loving connection deep down.
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Dear Tannille,
True words. Linda did leave an imprint on my soul. Thank you for your encouraging words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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a force of nature, i guess, she was. in a good way, of course. r.i.p.
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Dear Plaridel,
She was definitely a force of nature. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautifully written heartfelt tribute Rochelle. I was very moved. Well done.
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Thank you, Sandra. Your words encourage.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful response to the prompt.
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Thank you, Athling,
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A wonderful tribute to a good friend, Rochelle. I understand burning bridges, I’ve done that, too, for reasons. I’m glad you two did find each other again before it was too late.
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Dear Gabi,
I’m particularly glad Linda and I found each other after all those years. Now my memories of her can remain sweet. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
It’s never easy when there’s a loss but age is the director of our lives.
As much as we may dislike it, time continues to march on.
Un cuento muy triste … bien escrito con sentimiento 💜
Carino y Abrazos,
Isadora 😎
Thank you Dale for the beautiful photograph ❤️
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Querida Isadora,
No it’s never easy. The longer we live the more goodbyes are said. Gracias por sus palabras.
Shalon y cariño,
Rochelle
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Heartbreaking. I’ve learned of two deaths last year. No funerals. No memorials. No way to pay respects. Linda sounds like the best kind of friend to have. Sorry for your loss.
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Dear Sascha,
Crazy times we live in. We can pay respects in our hearts only. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A poignant story of someone who helped to make you the person you are today. Gone but never to be forgotten.
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True story, Keith. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She sounds like the sort of person we could all do with in our lives from time to time.
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Dear Ali,
Right you are. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m so sorry for the loss of a special person in your life. Someone who saw you through a very difficult time. I know the sentiment. There are a growing number of people that I’d love to hear their voice just once more. Beautiful writing and wonderful tribute, Rochelle. (ps…I like the name Rocky – a fighter!)
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Dear Brenda,
It’s still surreal to me to think of Linda in the past tense. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A powerful and moving account of the fierce friendship between you and Linda. A are thing I think.
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Thank you, Francine.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m so so sorry for your loss Rochelle. What am incredible woman. That’s a voice you cannot forget or would ever want too. That’s a powerful nickname. Be proud if it!
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Dear Laurie,
I’ve become quite fond of the nickname actually. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Condolences on your loss, Rochelle. Or should I say “Rocky?” I am sure she is looking down on you and possibly has a few choice things to say. Those are some of my favorite people and memories, the ones who keep you giving a good, hard time long after. ❤
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A very touching condolence. Well written deeply impactful story. You have managed to convey her livewire though intransigent personality very well. Thanks for the new addition to my vocabulary ‘ornery’.
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