Dear Friday Fictioneers,
Our Word Press woes continue to challenge us. Some report not being able to comment on some posts at all. If you think you might be missing someone’s comments, check your spam or trash folders. I’ve found quite a few in mine. Also, many of my commentors are showing up as “Anonymous” or “Someone.” If there’s a doubt, please identify yourself. Sorry I can’t be of more help in these situations. I’m merely a user, not a tech. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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 © Ted Strutz
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100
SOLE OF A WOMAN
Growing up in the Amish community, Rebecca had adhered to the strict dress code without question. During the warmest months she and her fourteen older siblings went barefoot.
She learned to eschew the worldly clothing of the English.
“Their ways are evil,” Papa intoned as he slipped his hand under twelve-year-old Rebecca’s skirt.
At sixteen, she left home with nothing but the simple cotton frock on her back, plain black oxfords on her feet and recurring nightmares in her head.
Today Becki’s a fashion designer. Her flamboyant wardrobe boasts every color, and her favorite shoes are red-sequined high heel pumps.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
A wonderful story
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Many thanks, Sadje. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re most welcome 🙏🏼
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Glad she got over the nightmares and the maltreatment.
Positive feel-good story of success!
Red is dynamic! More power to her 🙂
Love her new favourite shoes.
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Thanks for a lovely comment, Anita.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sanctity often hides profanity, whatever the particular belief system. Well done, Rochelle
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Dear Neil,
I found all three of your comment attempts in my spam folder. Go figure. At any rate, thank you for a lovely comment and for making the supreme effort to leave it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Glad you got them
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I hope she has found peace.
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Sorry about the anonymous feature. Computer tech skills I do not have
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Dear Michael,
This anonymous thing is plaguing many of us. Thank you for taking the time to read, comment and letting me know it’s you. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Hurray for Becki! Not all girls have the strength to leave such unhealthy families. Of course she is a fasion designer. I love it!
Shalom and lotsa well-dressed love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
This one is inspired by a true story of an Amish girl who did go on to become a fashion designer. 😀 Fascinating culture with many dark secrets. Thank you.
Shalom and lotsa well-heeled hugs,
Rochelle
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Of course it is! 😉 And yes, there are many dark secrets. You can’t be surprised by such a closed community.
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Unfortunately abuse doesn’t have cultural boundaries. Glad she could escape and create a life far, far different than the one she grew up with.
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Dear Trent,
It’s a sad truth. There are abusers in every community and walk of life. Thank you for your affirming comments re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yikes! Bad Daddy.
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Bad Daddy indeed, James. Thanks for stopping by. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Unfortunately, abuse doesn’t conform to any specific culture. I am so glad she escaped and found herself a new, successful life.
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Dear Jan,
Where there are humans…thanks for reading and commenting, m’luv.
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Way to go Becky, and never look back. I hate that holier than though attitude of so many abusers. Great story, Rochelle.
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Dear Gabi,
That holier than thou attitude has been the death of millions over the centuries, hasn’t it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes indeed. And it doesn’t look like it’ll ever end. We as a species haven’t learned anything from history. And most aren’t even willing to.
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That hand up the skirt hit me like a punch in the gut. Your set-up was perfect in that I had no ill feelings toward Papa until that moment. She had 14 older siblings. I wonder how many of them were girls.
Anyway, I love a happy ending. It did leave me wondering, though, if he went on to abuse his granddaughters.
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PS–lovely painting of the Amish family!
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Dear Linda,
All these questions. 😉 There’s only so much one can say in a hundred words. No doubt if Papa did it to one daughter (and probably more) he’s not above fondling his granddaughters. Thank you re my story and my painting. It’s one of my favorites, taken from a photo my husband snapped a few years back.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ahhhh, this reminds me of the time I spent in the Amish community as a foster child… it was one of two best placements I ever had. Often I think what my life would be had I stayed. Alas, the Bishop and I had different views on art and writing. I wasn’t about to give up the talent that God had given me, and he wouldn’t budge…so, I very tearfully and reluctantly left. Love your painting, Rochelle. A good story to go with it, too. Happy Hannukah & Merry Christ-mass!
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Dear Bear,
I’ve been watching a lot of videos lately about the Amish community. A lot of tradition without a true foundation. Thank you for your affirming comments. Happy Merry to you as well. ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Glad she was able to get out and find her true self.
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Dear Iain,
That’s what life’s about, isn’t it? Finding our authentic self. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your story had my scalp tingling. Anyone who can vanquish and succeed after that has my admiration.
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Dear Lisa,
What a wonderful comment/compliment. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you are very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Hi Rochelle,
yes, evil comes from what is in the heart, not what goes on the foot. Great story as always. I hope you’re doing well.
-David
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Dear David,
Human nature. Evil is found everywhere and in every culture, isn’t it? Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. Safe travels, my friend.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sounds like she not only escaped, she flew! The capacity of people to judge others but ignore our own flaws is incomparable. Take the plank out of your own eye, Daddy.
Beautifully wrought as ever. If only you could work similar magic on the tech!
Jen
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Dear Jen,
Some cultures are more restrictive than others. Yet, evil prevails everywhere. Thank you for your affirming comments. 😀 As for the tech, afraid that’s way out of my hands. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m glad she survived. Well done.
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Many thanks, Connie.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She has utilised her trauma to best advantage. Love your water colour too, Rochelle.
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Dear Sandra,
She did indeed. This is based loosely on some testimonies I’ve seen on YouTube. One ex Amish girl did go on to become a fashion model/designer. Thank you re my painting. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Excellent, Rochelle.
A story for those who overcome adversity every day. Sadly, too many remain traumatized. The cult of religion protects many offenders.
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
It never ceases to amaze (and appall) me how these religious communities who seem so pure and holy on the outside are breeding grounds for preditors. Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Of course, Rochelle.
Only the facts.
Peace,
Bill
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Such things happen in any community, but it’s easier to get away with when the community is a closed one.
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Dear Anonymous,
These closed communities do hide and, too often, defend these monsters. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
A powerful account of Becki’s life. Bravo for her. I saw a series once on the Amish and there was a gal who went on to become a fashion designer.
I have a friend who left the Amish life behind. It’s sad, they are left alone without anyone from their family. The price that’s paid for their freedom.
Well told, mi amiga. Happy Hanukah 🕯
Abrazos y Carino,
Izzy 😎💜
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Querida Izzy,
It sounds like we probably saw the Amish girl turned fashion designer on the same series. 😉 It is very sad the way those who leave are shunned. Painful, I’m sure, for those on both sides. Gracias.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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If your story from last week comes true, we’ll all be Amish. “Been spendin’ most our lives living in an Amish paradise.”
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Dear Nobbin,
Thank you for the earworm. 😉 (Yeah, I’m a Weird Al fan Got to see him in person a few years ago. He’s an amazing performer). I’m sure we can learn a lot from the Amish in the event of a power outage. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve enjoyed a few Weird Al songs. Have you seen the biopic where Harry Potter plays Weird Al? I highly recommend it if you’re a fan. I’m not even a big fan, and I loved it.
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Becki was fortunate she was able to escape and rise above the trauma. So many don’t 😦 This was a well told tale.
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Dear Michael,
Thank you for your affirming comments. Good to see you here this week. Hag Hanukkah samayakh.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful Rochelle. Delicately put Hidden meanings too. Thank you.
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Thank you for your lovely comments, Susan.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Not many manage to break free let alone make such a success of their lives.
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Dear Keith,
Tradition and strict rules do make it difficult to escape. I’ve been reading a lot of stories lately of those who have. Eye opening. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A great story Rochelle, sadly one that is continued to be played over and over in many different communities ❤️
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Dear Angela,
Sad, but true. These closed and seemingly holy communities tend to be breeding grounds for abuse, don’t they? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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yes Rochelle, closed communities, or even close communities can create positions of influence and power – very sad
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She’s well rid of that disgusting father.
No worries for this girl; she is a survivor.
A marvelous story well told and well read.
Happy Hanukkah, my dear Rochelle! 🕎
Shalom! 🕊️
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Dear Nancy,
Thank you for your sweet comments/compliments and Hanukkah greetings. Glad you enjoyed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your story describes an evil that we’re learning is more prevalent than we ever suspected. You’ve given Becki hope and a new start in life. I’m so glad you ended your story this way. Fantastic.
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Dear Margaret,
I’ve been watching some documentaries about the Amish lately. The testimonies of those who’ve left their communities are eye opening. Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What an evildoer! Thankfully the story is positive at the end, though the nightmares remain prevalent. 😦
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Dear Hirumei,
Thank you for reading and commenting. No doubt the nightmares take a while to go away…if they ever do.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yay Becki!
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😀
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I love this ending for Rebecca! -Michele (Thisobscurelife)
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Thank you, Michele. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m glad she got out of there. How brave and determined. The more colour the better here I think.
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Dear Laurie,
I agree. She did well to leave. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A great story here richelle!
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