Copyright – Beth Carter
Cleaning out his drawers I found numerous photos of women. Who were they? Does he know them? Are these pictures the reason he didn’t come home so many nights? I must dispose of them before mama sees them. I don’t know what her response would be but it’s a moot point. What a waste of a man. A father.
The town loved him. The big shots who frequent the bars worshiped him. He was a well-respected citizen in the community. His funeral services at the church Monday overflowed with people paying their final respects. His life was a facade. He lied to all of them too. But they didn’t live within these walls to know the real him.
This is fiction written for FRIDAY FICTIONEERS
THE CHALLENGE:
Write a one hundred word story that has a beginning, middle and end. (No one will be ostracized for going over or under the word count.
THE KEY:
Make every word count.
Join the fun!
Mind of Shoo 
Nice twist to prompt.
TY..I thought it was kinda difficult this week. Cool picture though 🙂
Agreed! I liked what you focused on, and what you did with it.
I think the photos are the most interesting thing in the guy’s car. I’m glad you chose to be inspired by them, and you created a fine story. Everyone has secrets that loved ones needn’t see. I have know people like that father. Your son was matter of fact about it and that made it sadder.
The whole picture is cool and the car is amazing! There was too much there for me so I just went to the pictures. Matter of fact…great way of putting it. TY
I love your title; it set the mood for the story to unwind.
A sad truth for many, unfortunately…..!
Thanks! Sure is a sad truth. TY
Good story about how what most see of a person is often not what that person is really like and the effect of that difference on the family. I’ve always loved “a moot point” so thanks for using it. 🙂
janet
Very true….and glad you liked me using a moot point. 🙂
Very good!
TY 🙂
secrets exposed..and a sad last sentence
Exposed indeed. Glad you liked that sentence. It’s the key to the whole story so to speak.
Really well written. I think this is the first story I’ve read that used the pictures primarily. I saw them, but couldn’t put them into my story very well.
There was so much going on in the car I just focused on the pictures.
This is a good picture for a prompt, since there are a lot of things that people can use.
Hmm..the dark side….
Come with me to the dark side my dear friend. Together we can rule the galaxy. Or this blog. Or this post. Oh you get it 🙂
A sad story – how many people do we know who appear to be one thing, but behind closed doors are really something else altogether. Brilliantly written.
Thanks for the compliment. I am sure there are lots of people living this way. Sadly.
Father or Facade. I lived with one of those. Daddy Dearest. Well done, Shoo.
Shalom;
Rochelle
So you can relate huh. 🙂 TY
Those pictures add so much to the prompt as they have stories of their own to tell. You made such a good contribution to this week’s collection.
TY Joe 🙂
Very good story telling, a whole a family saga in just 100 words.
TY 🙂
These stories are all the sadder because they are true. So many people hurt so many other people in their short time on earth.
I tend to write that way don’t I 🙂 People don’t realize they are hurting others during that time.
this is so often the way things happen. I found a whole photo album of my Dad’s from the 60’s with pictures of women I never knew, and never will. thank you for sharing this poignant piece of writing.
You are so very welcome. Thanks for dropping by to read it.
Yes, I think you awoke a lot of “Yup, been there” in your evocation of the resilient son. Well none.
TY 🙂
there is truth in this story. Nicely done.
Truth for a lot of people I suppose.
This was interesting and an enjoyable read. You fleshed out the photo of memorabilia with a storyline. Excellent.
That’s so nice of you to say. TY
that’s called a “street angel, house devil.” well done.
here – “The town loved him. The big shots who frequent the bars worship him.” loved is past tense, but worship is present. think about keeping it consistent.
Thanks Rich. And I did fix the tense. I am awful at tenses.
This is so true for so many people in the real world. Living a facade most of the times.
Very well done.
Thanks…glad you feel that way. And yes I bet it is true for many people out there.
You have described the exquisite pain of the alcoholic’s family with great sensitivity and depth in a very terse and word limited manner.
The image of “powerful” people at the bars, the façade presented to the world, the drunks that roll by at the funerals offering homage… the lies that the family endures and suffers with. the images that must be presented, and the deep and wounding hurts…