11 December 2020

Published December 9, 2020 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

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Genre: Fiction

Word Count: 100

THE PEOPLE’S PLAYGROUND

My dad held my hand as we walked along the boardwalk. The sea breeze riffled through my hair and the food scents tantalized my nostrils.

“The Steeplechase was my favorite.” Daddy mused. “You mounted a mechanical horse on a rail and whoosh! Instant horserace. Too bad they tore it down years ago.”

We sat on a bench munching our Nathan’s hotdogs, replete with mustard and sauerkraut. Seagulls clambered over one another, competing for the crumbs we dropped.

Two lifetimes later, my grandson and I munch Nathan’s hotdogs and prepare to ride the new Steeplechase.

Some things change. Some things don’t.

Steeplechase then:

And now:

4 December 2020

Published December 2, 2020 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © CEAyr

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

WHITE SWAN

On their flight to Oslo, Sonja rested against Niels’ shoulder. “My hero, my big brother taught me to fall. Leif said, ‘You fall the way a length of rope drops.’

“Good advice.” She giggled. “I fell on my bum in my first Olympic competition. Finished last. Only injured my pride.”

“I remember,” said Niels. “You were only eleven. Four years later you won your first Olympic gold medal.

“Figure eights.” She yawned. “Leaps and spins. The world was mine.”

“Still is, my love.”

“I’m so tired.”

“Sleep now.”

Fifty-seven-year-old Sonja Henie closed her eyes and skated to her final arena.

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13 November 2020

Published November 11, 2020 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

BY DESIGN

“The final Yuletide of the 19^th century is upon us. What will the 20^th hold? Perhaps we women will be allowed to vote.” Maud settled back against her pillows. “We’ll make it happen.” Light snow fell past her window. Nearby carolers sang, “Silent Night.”

Her latest illustration sat unfinished on her easel.

“Salutations, my little masterpiece.” She studied the infant in her arms. “I daresay those dark blue eyes shall turn brown. What a dear subject you’ll make, my Humphrey baby.”

“Humphrey baby indeed. Come to Papa, my son.” Maud’s husband Belmont lifted the child. “Merry Christmas, Humphrey Deforest Bogart!

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Maud and Baby Humphrey

Maud Humphrey

Humphrey Bogart.

30 October 2020

Published October 28, 2020 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll

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Genre: All-too-realistic Fiction

Word Count: 100

N2MB3RS

Miriam paged through tattoo parlor designs. “Should I get a rose or a bird?”

Eva’s faded eyes flashed. “Why blemish such beautiful skin?”

“You’ve got one, Bubbe.”

“I detest it.”

Miriam skimmed her fingertips over the numbers on her great-grandmother’s arm. “Why don’t you have it removed?”

“The needle burned into me while they carried Mama away. They silenced Papa’s pleas with a bullet.” A spectral smile spread Eva’s withered lips. “It took four of them to hold me down.”

“I get it. You keep it so you’ll always remember.”

“No, bubbeleh. I keep it so you will never forget.”

16 October 2020

Published October 14, 2020 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © C.E.Ayr

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count:100

PINK DREAMS ON EAGLE’S WINGS

Back aching, Mary boxed up a vacuum sweeper. After a lucrative evening she was weary and ready to go home.

She coaxed a smile. “You’re a lovely hostess, Mrs. Spoonemore.”

“Thank you for demonstrating Stanley products, Mrs. Rogers.” Ova handed her a jar with a penciled label. “A token of my appreciation.”

Mary opened it and sniffed. “What’s this?”

“My daddy’s hide-tanning formula. Keeps skin smooth and young-looking.”

Years later, tired of being passed over for promotions, Mary Kay bought the formula from Ova’s family for $500 and struck out on her own. The rest is pink history.

***

9 October 2020

Published October 7, 2020 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook

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Genre: Hysterical Fiction

Word Count: 100

STALKING THE WILD EDIBLES

“Seriously, Daddy?” Ariel jabbed her fork into a plateful of fishy-smelling seaweed. “You expect me to eat this?”

“Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it. Full of antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins,” said Louis. “Expertly prepared by Yours Truly. Ever hear of Euell Gibbons?

“Who?”

“Famous 1960’s naturalist. One winter, his family was down to their last egg and a few pinto beans. He went out and picked a knapsack full of puffball mushrooms, piñon nuts, and yellow prickly pear fruits. Kept them from starving.”

Ariel lifted a green strand, sniffed and grimaced. “It looks like something a Klingon would eat.”

Euell Gibbon, who became famous promoting Grape Nuts cereal. He took a lot of ribbing. Here he is taking a poke at himself.

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2 October 2020

Published September 30, 2020 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Rowena Curtin

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A reminder that the Holocaust did happen. Dare we forget? This is a shortened version of a story I posted almost 4 years ago for What Pegman Saw. (Thank you, Josh and Karen). I feel it’s one that bears repeating.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

PERCHANCE TO DREAM

Bedtime was Eva’s chance to escape. Tonight, she flew close to the dazzling sun. Below water cavorted over glittering shells. A mermaid with gleaming fins sat on a crystal throne in the midst of the waves. Her eyes glowed like candles, beckoning Eva. Sea spray veiled her shining violet hair that cascaded over her shoulders like a silken cape.

She sang an enticing melody. “Eva, sweet Eva, come swim with me.”

***

“Eva, wake up!”

Shira grasped her sister’s narrow shoulders. Grey light through the barrack’s filthy window illuminated Eva’s skeletal face and serene smile.

Weeping, Shira whispered, “Arbeit macht frei.”

25 September 2020

Published September 23, 2020 by rochellewisoff

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As fewer and fewer Holocaust survivors remain in our midst, it seems easier to forget. It’s not taught in schools and increasing numbers of misinformed believe the Holocaust never happened.

INTERVIEW WITH PRISONER A5714

Remember Robert Clary as LeBeau of Stalag 13? Hogan’s shortest hero? The connoisseur of French cuisine.

He reminisces about the rabbi who helped him study for his Bar Mitzvah. “He smelled of schmaltz, herring, onion and garlic.”

“Ah food.”

He shrugs. “In Buchenwald we had little to eat. I sang for the prisoners and sometimes the chef in the kitchen gave me an extra piece of bread.”

“What’s your greatest achievement? Performing?”

“No. I’m most proud to have spent twenty years keeping the memory of the Holocaust alive. Warning against man’s inhumanity. While I am living, I have to tell.”

11 September 2020

Published September 9, 2020 by rochellewisoff

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Before continuing I have to share my happy news. My novel “Last Dance with Annie” is now under contract with literary agent Diane Nine! www.ninespeakers.com

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

COUP D’ETAT 1898

Easter and me’s both six years old. Her daddy owns a shoe shop in Wilmington. He made my Sunday shoes. He’s really nice.

Easter’s funny and she draws real good. Her skin is pretty. It’s as brown as chocolate so she don’t get sunburns like me.

Day before yesterday, Easter’s daddy went to vote in the ‘lection. Someone said white men in red shirts shot him in the street. Easter cried and cried. I cried, too.

Easter, her mama and lotsa other black folks moved away sudden like. I don’t understand why people are so mean. I miss my friend.

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4 September 2020

Published September 2, 2020 by rochellewisoff

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

THE WOMAN WITH THE TORCH

March 1887

Dear Father,

The sun has long set on Glasgow. My eyes are weary from study and my heart is heavy with longing for you and my sisters.

My mind swirls with new knowledge of the human body. How fearfully and wonderfully made are we. My cup overflows.

Precious Father. Had it not been for your encouragement, becoming a physician would be an impossibility for a wee lass in this man’s world. As God is my witness, it shall not always be so. I promise to do my best to make you proud.

Your loving daughter,

Elsie Maude Inglis

With her many accomplishments, it was difficult to squeeze the magnitude of her influence into 100 words. So I chose a small but important piece of her life. To quote Elsie Inglis