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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: All-Too-Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100
MOURNING HAS BROKEN
Ubon sloshed through a puddle, stirring the leaves floating on the water. Why had she been so harsh with him that morning?
***
“Banyat!” She smacked his bottom. “Hurry!”
“Mamaaa, please. Don’t make me go. I miss my old school.”
His shrill whine angered her. “Do you want Mama to get fired?”
“Yes,” he replied with four-year-old logic. “Then we can stay home and play.”
***
Standing in the deserted playground, Ubon’s heart ached. What could provoke someone to slaughter babies?
“Mama? Why are you crying?”
She swept him up in her arms and held him close. “I’m so glad we moved.”
Literary News!
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Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
A subtle and terrible (in a good way) story
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Thank you, Neil. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sweet 4-year-old logic. I wish the world worked like this.
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Dear Tanille,
It’s a pity we aren’t all more childlike, rather than childish. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Amen
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Clever title, and a heart-breaking tale of (another) terrible tragedy.
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I’ll admit that I was so horrified by the idea that I only read the headlines, but the headlines said enough… Nice take, turning the terrible news story into a human story. Glad they moved!
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Dear Trent,
I wonder what’s going through these demented minds. Couldn’t the fired officer have just offed himself without taking all those children and his own family with him?
At any rate, I started out with straight tragedy in mind, but decided it needed a happier ending.
Thank you.
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Still unable to figure out all the madness happening in our world.
Kid’s logic doesn’t work. This is a dark world.
Hope parents never lose their kids…In fact, no one should lose loved ones…
Glad mother and son in the story are safe.
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Dear Anita,
May this child stay innocent as long as possible. You’re right, there’s so much madness in the world. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So heartbreaking Rochelle
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Dear Sadje,
It is heartbreaking. I can’t imagine what goes through someone’s mind when they take a life…let alone multiple lives. Lives of children at that. Thank you for reading and commenting. Please forgive the tardiness of my reply.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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No worries my friend. We all have real life responsibilities too.
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I always read your story before I create my own. I had an idea in mind, but it’s too similar to yours. Change gears 🙂
I think this photo is going to provoke some very interesting stories!
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Dear Linda,
I wondered, in light of the recent tragedy, how many might go that same direction. Before I took over I never read anyone else’s story before writing mine. Of course now I have the advantage of being first. 😉 Thanks for reading and commenting. 🙂
Shalom,
Rochelle
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All-too-realistic is right. Painful story, and too close to home. Every decision we make has unforeseen consequences. I read about a family who moved to Florida just before Stoneman Douglas and my heart just broke for them. Obviously no worse than for locals, but imagine having that decision on your conscience.
Well written, as always.
Jen
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Dear Jen,
It’s true about the decisions we make. Watching the news these days is painful. I can’t imagine what those parents are going through. So in my story I wanted at least one family to have a happy ending. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great title but, sad story. Hopefully the future will be much brighter.
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Thank you, m’luv. ❤
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I like the 4 year-old logic as he knows exactly his priorities. A sad ending.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-63228147
I am not sure if this link will work for you,.
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Dear James,
The link does work. How can such an attractive woman, and a nurse, no less, be such a monster? I’m with Banyan and his four-year-old logic. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Heart-wrenching. Everything seems worse when it happens to children.
On a lighter note, I loved the 4-year-old voice. Next time I need a kid’s voice, I’m hiring you.
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Dear Nobbin,
Children, especially the younger ones, have no defenses, have done no real wrongs. Thank you re the 4 year-old-voice (oral or written?) Thanks over all.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s all great, but I meant specifically oral. It reminded me of women who voice children in animation. Very well done.
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😀 TY
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Just now becoming aware of what your story is about. Will the depths of human depravity ever go lower than this? To prey upon innocent babies that are already fighting for their lives. What the H***!?!? What’s terrifying is that they suspected her but let her keep working? Waiting until they caught her in the act? I feel so bad for those babies that were murdered that didn’t need to die 😦
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Dear Lisa,
I think we might be thinking of two different but no less tragic events. I was thinking of the recent shooter in Thailand who went postal at the daycare center. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/06/world/asia/shooting-thailand-day-care.html
I’m not sure I know the incident you’re referring to.
At any rate, human depravity seems to run deep, doesn’t it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, my apologies for having the wrong one. Yes it does.
Oh no on there being more than one. Somebody in your comment section (forgot who) posted about a nurse in a neonatal unit at a hospital in England who has been arrested and is on trial for murdering several of the babies 😦
You are welcome on the story.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Ah, now I see. I think you’re referring to the nurse in the UK? How can such an attractive young thing be such a monster?
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Absolutely dreadful news – like in the mine-tip disaster in Aberfan, those families will never recover fully.
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Dear Liz,
No, they’ll never fully recover. Not sure how one could. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Remarkable, Rochelle.
Reading your story and the comments reminded me of Sammi’s prompt word, and its genesis, last weekend: “amok.”
I often wonder about the plight of refugees around the world. It seems that throughout history what mankind has been best at is showering others in misery.
Well done (written, told, and voiced).
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
Here it is Tuesday and I’m finally getting around to replying and commenting. Been an über busy week. No slow down in sight yet.
I can’t imagine what makes a person go over the edge like that and take innocents with them. A lot I don’t understand nor do I want to understand.
Thank you re my story. Nice to know someone’s actually listening. 😉 I strted recording my stories for a friend who’s visually challenged and it’s become a habit.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hey, Rochelle.
Me too. I need to read and comment today. I’ve been slowed down for the past week but I hope to get to the pool today.
I’ve been trying to figure out the voiceover stuff and software. As many YouTubes as I’ve watched, I should know by now. 🙂
Peace,
Bill
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What a moving piece. I hear the little boy’s voice and the anxiety and desperation in the mother’s voice. This is the first one I’ve read of this week’s entries and I’m blown away!
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Dear Clare,
Wow! What a compliment! Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There is no forgiveness for violence again children. A wee smack on the behind is o.k. but killing them? No!
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Dear Lish,
I agree. Violence against children is the worst. Thenk you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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How do you get to a place where you kill children? There are too many of these kinds of things that I will never understand. Thai people are overall very peaceful people as well. I was shocked and horribly saddened to read about what happened there. You portrayed well, as always, the heart of your character, her sadness, the love of her son, and her relief! In these days, it’s good to be reminded to hug close those we love.
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Dear Brenda,
I decided that someone needed to have a happy ending. What a dreadful thing to happen. I don’t get it. I’ll never get it. I never want to get it.
Thank you for your kind and affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I never want to either. 😦
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The human mind is an unfathomable place. I have held off posting my story this week, on this very fact, as I can not as yet find the terns/words
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Dear Michael,
There are no words to effectively voice the horror normal people feel. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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the evil that some men can do. it’s heartbreaking when this kind of tragedy happens in a supposed-to-be civilized society.
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So true, Plaridel. Thank you for coming by and leaving a comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh for the simplicity of children 🙂
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Dear Angela,
Yes, children. Oh that we could keep that innocence. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes terrible, Rochelle, when schools are attacked. Wishing you a pleasant weekend.
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Dear Susan,
Schools should be safe places. 😦 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It took me a moment to figure out the truth behind the fiction. Almost unbelievable, isn’t it? I can’t imagine what those parents and families must be going through right now. What do you even say? Thanks for sharing.
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Dear Anne,
This scenario is being replayed waaaay too often and should never be “played” in the first place. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Out of the mouth of babes came her deliverance from a life time of regret.
I can not imagine if she did not listen.
Great story writting Rochelle.
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Dear Chioma,
Definitely out of the mouths of babes. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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If only we could use4-year-old logic in the adult world; it’s so simple and clear. A tragic event that rocked us here in Australia. I’m glad your story had a happy ending.
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Dear Fleur,
At first I was going for straight tragedy but decided someone had to have a happy ending. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, bring on the happy endings! 😊
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The empty playground brought about an association with the recent tragedy in Thailand in my mind and how sad is that? Nicely done and I am glad the story ends on a happy note. In this case in the category of ‘There but for the grace of God go I’.
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Dear Subroto,
Exactly. When we walk out the door in the morning we don’t know how the day will play out. Most certainly those parents never expected that when they dropped their babies off at the daycare it would be the last time they’d see them alive. 😦
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Beautifully done. The logic of a child can be so poignant. When we read stories like this in the news, we cannot help but wonder what the world is coming to.
Shalom and lots of peaceful love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
We can only shake our heads at some of these things. Maybe if we all thought like children… Thank you for your sweet comments.
Shalom and lotsa childlike hugs,
Rochelle
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It’s awful.
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Beautiful. Our children often do not understand the snapshot they are given, but when they grow older they will appreciate the bigger picture! I hope…
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Dear Stars,
It’s sad that children have to grow up and understand (if any of us really do) the bigger picture, isn’t it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very horrible story, yet well written!
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Thank you so much, Neel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle, for some reason i couldn’t link up my story. Wasn’t able to. Is it possible you include my submission! Thanks, Neel
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Dear Neel,
The link closes at 19:00 or 7:00 pm my time. My guess is you weren’t able to link because you missed the cutoff. Therefore I can’t link it either. But I’ll be sure to read it. Sorry.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh gosh, out of the mouth of babes! So Innocent. Stay home and play.
Sets itself against such a terrible suggested ending. Nicely done, also super sad
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Dear Laurie,
The whole situation is unecessarily tragic, isn’t it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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