Time for another entry in Friday Fictioneers challenge, courtesy of Rochelle Wissof-Fields. If you want to give it a try, check the info on her blog. 100 words more or less, inspired by a photo, here we go….
Copyright – Roger Bultot
The storm is coming.
The clouds are gathering behind your back and you can almost smell the rain. Maybe it will wash away all the dirt, inside and out. Maybe it will hide your tears.
You always liked the rain, its soothing quality, the drum-like beating on the rooftop, sliding marks on the windshield, wet empty roads on countless travels.
And now you are fired. Too old. What is one to do when facing the wall? Do you just give up and let the weed suffocate you? Or do you climb?
Maybe this storm will offer an answer.
Snow's Fissures and Fractures 
Dear Loré,
As one who has seen long term coworkers let go for “valid reasons” when we all know differently, your piece strikes a chord with me. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle. My uncle is a truck driver, so it was a familiar subject.
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An effective, compelling tangential take on the prompt. I like that.
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I am very happy you liked it. Thank you, Sandra.
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nice emotional take.
here’s my answer though to one of your posers:
Do you just give up and let the weed suffocate you?
No, ma’am, you smoke da weed and drift away on it.
Just a little jamaican humor, mon.
Randy
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Oh, Randy…I am always in the mood for some humor, no matter what part of the world it comes from. 😀 I knew, I just knew that “weed” part would inspire some ideas. Thank you!
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Lore, Creative take on the prompt. I had a friend who was fired for such a flimsy reason he couldn’t even get U.S. unemployment pay. He and his wife hired a lawyer pro bono, took the people to court, and won their case. These days you have to see if you can fight back if you think you can win. Good story and well written. 🙂 —Susan
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I think many times we give up too easily.A huge bucket of tomato sauce fell on my friend and me in a big supermarket. I was happy it ended without a serious injury, but my friend’s father persuaded us to sue the store. 3 years later we won.
Thank you for your kind words!
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This really hit home for me. I have a friend you is a long haul trucker. He has been very sick for sometime but must keep trucking. Being laid off would be devastating to him and his family.
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As I said in a previous comment, my uncle is a truck driver, so this is very close and personal.
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I think this is a dilemma a lot of people face when suddenly thrust into unfamiliar circumstances. To rise to the occasion or sink back down. I hope she climbs.
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I am so glad you said “she”, because that was one of the things I was thinking about when I wrote the story – how to make it gender-neutral. Thank you, David.
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Beautiful writing.
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Thank you so much!
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Your view of the prompt got my gears going. My favorite line was, “…sliding marks on the windshield, wet empty roads on countless travels.”
It’s so awesome to see how different talents can explain the same photo.
Nice Work!
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Yes, it is great to read all these different stories. Thank you for your kind words!
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What a sad yet hopeful story. Lovely writing!
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Thank you so much!
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It’s tough to be put out to pasture. Even for a truck.
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Yes, it is. We disregard people and things too easily. Tnx for stopping by.
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Nice take on the prompt.
My Breakthrough
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Thank you.
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There are those occasions when the weed are like tentacles suffocating us.. your story can relate to lots of things also outside the truck-driving business…
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That’s true, it is a universal strugle – to give up or to keep fighting.
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powerful symbolism Snow!
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Thank you Cybele.
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Vivid and descriptive. Emotional, too. Great work, Lore!
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Tnx so much!
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Hi Lore ~
This is a great piece of prose – posing an interesting question for any generation.
Ellespeth
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Yes, it is a universal struggle throughout our history. Thank you for stopping by.
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wonderful. absolutely love the narrator’s voice.
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A nice take on the prompt. So many good and experienced people get laid off as “too old”.
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Unfortunately, that is so true. Thank you.
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I like how you “humanised” this photo so effectively. And the Gil Scott Heron 🙂
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Thank you. He is good, right?
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Sure is 😉
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Dear Snow – good story and I would take them to court! Cute!~ Nan 🙂
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Thank you Nan!
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