Today’s picture prompt was provided by our fearless leader, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. My 100-word story weighs in at 96-words.
After Tom disappeared,
time meant nothing to Loretta.
The sun rose over her Colorado farm
right on time, set when it was meant to.
She made Battenburg lace to trade for cash money.
Took a day to walk to the market and back.
She’d certainly never ride one of the horses.
Did that once. The crook-backed beast ran all the way to Kansas
then died alongside the road.
No money in her pocket, Loretta walked home.
She sometimes wonders it that’s what happened to Tom.
Wonders if more than one deranged horse hides within their herd.
Up From the Ashes 
I love her mild curiosity about Tom’s disappearance
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I should have mentioned it happened so long ago, she only has a mild curiosity about where Tom went.
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Oh the struggle of being alone… it seems missing Tom has more to do with the struggle than actually missing him..
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You’re quite right, Bjorn. Thanks for noticing that. Alicia
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hopefully, he’d find his way home someday.
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One can always hope. Although I’m not sure whether Loretta wants him back or not. Thanks for being forever optimistic.
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Horses and husbands can be very unpredictable. Nicely told, Alicia.
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Indeed they can be. Thanks, Sandra! Here’s hoping you have a very Merry Christmas.
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Nice little snippet of a tough life. Though the image of the horse running off to Kansas (I have no idea how close to Colorado that is to be honest) and then dropping dead stranding her there made me smile 🙂
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Colorado is right next door, 600 miles from Kansas City to Denver. A LONG way.
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Heh, 600 miles in most directions in the UK and you’d fall in the sea 🙂
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Hahahahaha!
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The mileage would certainly change depending on where you start. My Mom, who hated riding horses on their family farm, grew up in Bristol, Colorado – much closer to Kansas. Dad grew up all over Kansas during the depression. His father was a mechanic who moved place to place fixing farm equipment to keep the family going.
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No kidding? Do you remember what cities or what areas he mentioned in Kansas?
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He lived in Augusta and Wichita, mainly. My Grandparents stayed in Wichita as well as my Uncle and Aunt. My Aunt is the last living relative I know, although I have cousins and grand cousins and probably great grand cousins by now – floating all over Kansas.
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So cool. I’m familiar with those areas. My folks are from the northeastern area, two hours from Kansas City, near the Nebraska border. Just about everyone who is from there knows someone all the way west.
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Good! The whole idea supposed to bring a smile. Crazy horses will do all kinds of unpredictable things. Happy Holidays, kind sir.
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I agree with Sandra. I say, get a nice car (if this takes place in present time, which I don’t think it does).
Very good writing, Alicia, as usual.
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Dear Alicia,
Loretta sounds like a strong woman who’s making it fine without Tom. Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for noticing. I think Tom is now filed under “Wonderment” in her mental Rolodex. Here’s hoping you’re staying warm.
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Sad tale this.
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Sorry you found it sad. It was intended to be a bit on the humorous side. Although writing within 100-words sometimes makes for dour sentences, doesn’t it?
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Beautifully written and quite wistful although she is not a character who appears like she needs any sympathy.
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Thanks for noticing the “fantasy” part of this. It was meant to be wistful and to lean on the fairy tale side more than truth. Happy Holidays! Alicia
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And yet she still feeds them! I’d have sold the beggars if I thought they’d killed my husband.
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I don’t think killed is quite right. I think these crazy horses kidnap. Thanks so very much for reading and leaving a comment. I always appreciate it.
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Makes me wonder too…
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Wondering is a good thing! Merry Christmas, Dawn.
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Merry Christmas Alicia.
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The hardship is really well described.
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Thanks very much, Clare.
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I’ve never ridden a horse in my life, only a donkey! Not so far to fall D: I agree with Bjorn that what comes over in your story is more about her struggle, than actually missing Tom. Well written. You made me really feel for her — the depth of her weariness after years of hardship.
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Thank you so much, Sarah. It’s interesting to read what people “see” in one’s story opposed to what you think you’ve written. Ah the life an author, right? As I said, Tom’s been gone for so long – in my mind – she’s just about the day-to-day business of making things in her world work.
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When I was at school (years ago!) and we had to analyse stories and poems, I often used to imagine authors throwing their hands up in horror, or doubled up with laughter, because everybody had got it wrong, especially the teacher! As you can probably guess, I was a very rebellious pupil who liked to question everything.
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I hardly noticed Tom, it definitely was about her struggle, and the crazy horses. She’s a great character.
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And you are very kind. You just made my day. Thanks! And a very Merry Christmas!
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And to you. 😀
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The weariness seeps through and her struggling life too. Though that mention of “deranged horses” leaves me intrigued.
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Me, too. Maybe I’ve been reading too much of Annie Proulx’s short stories in “Close Range.” Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment.
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I really thought this was excellently written. The sense of her hard life and the malevolence of the horse come across brilliantly
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Thank you so very much. This story truly was about Loretta, not so much Tom. A Merry Christmas to you. Alicia
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Fantastic! Love the pacing and playful wording on this one, Alicia. The scene and mood is so clear and real.
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Wow! Thanks, Dawn.
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It’s hard to rest easy when a loved one isn’t right in front of you. Was it a deranged horse, or did he go off for the proverbial pack of cigarettes?
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Ha! An excellent question. Thanks for reading and leaving a reply.
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