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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: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100
SET FIRE TO THE RAIN
Rain pelted the restaurant window. Why had he come back to Nam anyway? Curiosity? His therapist called it “coming to terms.”
Anthony unfolded the yellowed stationery.
“October 3, 1968
“Dearest Tony,
Sweetheart, I feel like a rat, since you’re off in Vietnam. But I’m afraid you’ll get killed and I won’t have no one. I met this really nice guy named Ted. You’d really like him. We got married last night. I hope you understand.
All my love,
Caroline”
“‘You’d really like him.’” Anthony held his lighter to a corner of the letter. “Why the hell did I keep it?”
*****
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Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
This is beautiful, Rochelle. One of your finest pieces. Intersting that we both chose war as a theme
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Dear Neil,
Thanks so much for a lovely compliment. I couldn’t help going there with war since I know the location of the photo. 😉 This is a reworked snippet of an unpublished novel that’s currently languishing in moth balls while I decide what to do with it. Again, thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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War is full of sadness, I very much agree with Neil commentary
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Dear Michael,
No doubt more than one vet has memories of this same kind of letter. Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh wow, no tact. I’m sure it was a common story. Maintaining relationships is hard. I hope he wasn’t too cut up.
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Dear Tanille,
Confession. This is a reworked snippet of an unpublished novel that’s waiting for me to do something with it. I can tell you that Tony is going to be okay. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Snippets are gems of ideas!
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I think it’s a cruel letter.
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Dear Sadje,
It is a very cruel letter and based on a true story. Caroline wasn’t very bright. 😉 Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Some people don’t spare a thought of what their words would do to others. It’s cruel of stupidity
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No doubt that he loved her. She didn’t.
He finally let the letter go…
Hope he finds peace.
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Dear Anita,
He was able to let her…and the letter…go. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Clearly a time for introspection and ‘cleaning house’ for this character that came to life in just 100 words!
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Dear Clare,
Thank you for your affirming comments. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Tony deserved much better anyway. Hope he found the woman of his dreams and has been living happily ever after for the last 50 some years. I also hope they didn’t kick him out of the restaurant for starting a little fire…
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Dear Trent,
As a matter of fact, Tony did find the woman of his dreams (sometimes more of a nightmare) 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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lol, if that dream isn’t occasionally a nightmare, there is something wrong.
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Dear Rochelle,
A powerfully and sobering story about the impact of war on relationships. Poor Tony. The war had taken so much from him. His burning the letter is a step towards letting go of the past and moving on. Good for him.
Shalom,
Adele
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Dear Adele,
Dear John letters seem to be a common casualty of war, don’t they? Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nothing like a ‘Dear, John’ letter to dampen the spirit of of a young man. At least he has symbolically burned the past.
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Dear James,
It was definitely time to burn the past. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s the kind of letter I’d frame on the wall rather than burn. Excellent story!
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Dear Frank,
I do have my first rejection letter from an agent framed. Although it started with “This was just excellent, Rochelle, but…” Not sure I’d frame a Dear John letter. Thank you re my story. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Poor Tony, but at the same time, I find it hard to blame Caroline. I guess, as always, no one wins in these situations.
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Dear Iain,
I think Caroline will live to regret a rash decision. Although Tony didn’t see it at the time, he just might have been the winner in that situation. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A great story that I can’t wait to see completed. Unfortunately, this incident happened way too often.
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Not sure what the future is for this novel. Sigh. Thank you for your vote of confidence…Tony…I mean…Jan….;)
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The girl who wrote this letter is still in high school mentality. Hopping from one boyfriend to another, not mature enough to consider the downside. He may be deeply hurt at the time, but he’ll mature and grow beyond her and realize he got out of a potentially bad situation.
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Dear Linda,
This is one of those things in “Last Dance with Annie” that was based on fact. When I read your comment to Jan he laughed out loud and said you’re spot on. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well, I’m so glad your Jan enjoyed it 🙂 You’re very welcome!
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A very interesting take on this picture. You have me curious about the location. I hope your novel takes a higher place on your list. The plot sounds intriguing; add a bit of spy and mystery beyond the Dear John.
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Dear Oneta,
The picture actually was taken in Vietnam. The novel was with an agent for a year but she said she couldn’t sell it. Tony’s story is only part of it. The main story is about his wife who has an eating disorder. Based on a true story. Here’s the elevator pitch:
Elise, a military spouse and mom in the throes of midlife, dances three times a day with the most relentless partner, her secret nemesis she’s nicknamed “Annie Wrecks-Ya.” Will Elise’s strive for perfection kill her, or will she learn to let go and face the truth: she’s an addict. At the same time, her devoted husband Tony feels helpless to save her as he battles demons of his own that followed him home from war.
Can Elise and Tony join forces and defeat these threats to their lives and their marriage? And can Elise learn to dance again, this time with the carefree joy she experienced as a child.
Hope that’s not TMI. 😉 Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for sharing the plot of your story. I saw a longer version someplace but I’ve lost that spot. It sounded like an interesting and read-able story. Hope someone takes it on from you sometime.
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Tony’s therapist is a sharp cookie. Great story, Rochelle.
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Many thanks, Lisa. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you’re very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Excellent story, Rochelle. I like the artful way you’ve written the letter so it’s all “I” and “my”, and hardly ever “you”.
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Dear Penny,
Thank you so much for reading and leaving such an encouraging comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hard hitting, Rochelle, and I’m sure not an uncommon experience. I’m not sure why he’s back in ‘Nam, but I imagine that would be clear in a longer piece about him. And maybe it’s a sign that he found someone more worthy after the letter arrived.
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Dear Jen,
I really didn’t give his location a lot of thought. In the novel he’s in his living room going through and getting rid of those negative reminders. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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They used to call them ‘dear John’ letters – Caroline didn’t waste any time, did she?
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Dear Liz,
I’m pretty sure they still call them Dear John letters. 😉 Caroline was a real princess. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Her reason for doing what she did is understandable given the situation, although that doesn’t make it any better.
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Dear Keith,
I suppose her actions could be contrued as understandable. To me it shows that, for her, it had nothing to do with true love. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story. It’s a bit like going back to your hometown to find out that you are the only one still alive out of your agemates. Unsettling. Yet, freeing, too.
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Dear Bear,
In retrospect, that match would never have stood the test of time. 😉 (Yeah, it’s based on a true story.) Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Some matches are never meant to be. And, amen to that.
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Well done, Rochelle.
I read many Vietnam War memoirs (too many). “Dear John” letters are as much a part of war as bullets and blades, going back centuries.
However, many Dear John’s are never written or sent. There is just a loud silence. Often a friend or family member advises the service member of relationships and marriages that occur without warning. The adage “absence makes the heart grow…” is not often true.
I’m reading a memoir now where the female author got a dear Carly (Simon) letter and was devastated, but eventually moved on (and on and on). Of course, war and battle were not issues for her. Geography was.
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
Sadly, not every match is made in heaven, is it? Those dear whomsoever letters can come from either side of the gender pool. And absence can just cause the passion to fizzle. Thank you for your encouraging comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome Rochelle.
A tough topic. 🙂
Peace,
Bill
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why did he keep that letter that long? hoping against hope? at any rate, burning it could be the sign he was moving on.
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Dear Plaridel,
It’s hard to say why he kept it. Might just be one of those things he stuffed in a drawer and forgot he had. Yes, he is moving one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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“You’d like him” … I wonder why people say that. Is it supposed to be some kind of consolation prize. The loser walks away shaking his head sadly… “helluva good guy”. I think not. Well done, Rochelle. It’s a scenario that must be often played.
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I don’t know why but your comment is just priceless!!
LOL!!
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Dear Sandra,
I’d say Caroline wasn’t all that bright. 😉 Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well he definitely deserved someone better, lovely story Rochelle
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Thank you, Angela.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very moving piece Rochelle. Hanging on to the past, not such a great idea….
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Thank you so much, Susan. No, it’s not good to hang onto the past…at least not the negative bits.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well done! Very poignant! Not that I’m surprised … (Also, yay on the Etsy listings!)
xoxo
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Thank you re my story and my Etsy shop…which is still growing and changing. And I wonder sometimes if I should have my head examined. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Why have it examined? What’s wrong with a perfectly artistically jumbled head? 🙂 xoxo
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A very thoughful story in 100 words. Well done.
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Thank you, Neel. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, so sad! I wonder how many survivors’ would-be lives were “stolen” on account of war…
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Dear Stars,
There are so many casualties of war, aren’t there? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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God help Caroline and all who act like her.
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Dear Chioma,
Too many Carolines out there. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
This is a sad situation. She sounds like one who must find a husband to properly live out her life as expected. There can’t be enough love to hold on and wait for her. Sadly, for him, there seems to have been more for her. Holding on to it, means holding on to pain so I am glad he made the trip and let go (hopefully).
Beautifully written.
Shalom and lotsa love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I know for a fact life didn’t quite work out the way Caroline wanted it to. 😉 Tony did move on. Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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True story. Well… you know what I mean 😉
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Oh lovely but so sad. Letting go of what was lost long ago by burning the letter. War is a terrible thing.
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Dear Laurie,
At least he’s finally letting go. 😉 Thank you for your lovely comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Poor Tony gets a ‘Dear John’ letter but she probably did him a favour. He is better off without her.
Also had a look at your incredible Etsy store, such beautiful artwork, you are a true artist.
PS I’ll try and contribute again each week.
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Dear Subroto,
In the true story this is based on, he’s definitely better off without her. He married me. 😉
Thank you re my Etsy shop and my artwork.
Hope to read your words this week.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a sad story, but it reminds me of an advert on tv years ago based at war, about a dear John letter. The advert is for batteries that are used for a tape deck. The Dear John letter is sung to him and the wording is almost the same as the letter in your story. The advert finishes with ‘even the bad times sound good’.
In your story, he deserves someone far better. Nicely done.
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Dear Fleur,
That must’ve been an Australian advert. Sounds like a goodie.
Tony does deserve better. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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