I was early for my shift. Charlie was early too. I poured his usual without being asked.
Charlie looked up at me “I got laid off”
“I’m so sorry, and so close to Clare leaving”
“Yes, I had hoped to get her back. But what good is an unemployed husband?”
I reached over and put my hand on his.
“And now I will lose you too. I can’t afford to come here without a job”
I dug through my bag and handed him a card.
“You can join me here on Tuesday evenings but you have to take the first step.”
This week’s PHOTO PROMPT- ©Ted Strutz
Friday Fictioneers is a weekly 100 word writing challenge inspired by a picture prompt. Click here to read other stories.
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Dear Dawn,
it sounds like she just invited him to an AA meeting, unless I missed my guess. Good direction. Crisp dialogue.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s what I meant it to be. I ran out of words so I hoped my message came through. I was trying to show that perhaps all of his bad luck wasn’t merely bad luck but a product of his actions.
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Love this very much.
We all need someone in our corner when life knocks us over whether it’s our fault or not.
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Yes we do!
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Yup, the message was clear. I got AA as well
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Oh good. Thanks Neil.
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I got the message too
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So glad. Those 100 words can be a real challenge sometimes 😉
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We have the exact life we choose. I hope AA helps him see that for himself. I really liked the tenderness of this piece.
Tracey
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Thank you Tracey
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Good one Dawn.
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Thank you Sandra
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Hopefully that’ll help him get back on his feet.
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One thing i have learned..you can lead to water….
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Strange meeting place for an AA meeting – or perhaps not? Nice one, Dawn.
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Thank you
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good story with a message.
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Thank you
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One door closes, another opens. I hope he takes that first step. Good story.
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Thank you Gah
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Nicely crafted fiction. Can I nudge you on the last sentence. Perhaps there should be a ‘have’ in there?
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Yes there should be. Thanks so much!
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Your welcome 🙂
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I got the message too! I hope he takes that step.
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That’s a nice ending. It sounds like the support is coming just at the right time for Charlie – all those bad turns coud easily send him further down into the bottle.
And a nice title too
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Thanks TRC
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Sometimes a change makes people shift in the right direction. It was a good thing she could be there for him at that moment of his bad news. Nice one, Dawn.
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Thanks Amy.
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The future might not be as bleak as he thinks. Nice twist at the end.
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Thank you Margaret.
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There is always hope…nice ending..
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Thank you
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I understood it was AA also. I hope it helps him. He’s either lost or is losing everything good in his life. Good writing, Dawn. —- Suzanne
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