Been on a bus fifteen days, following my dream to tour the U.S. of A. Course my dream wasn’t set on a bus of screaming children and women who won’t stop talking. Neither was I going to be seventy-five and homeless. But the world hands you rotten apples and you make do.
My hair looks a fright, clothes are dirty and I smell a bit, probably why the waitress at the bus-stop lunch-counter is giving me the stink eye. She reaches for a plate, slaps something on it, slides it down the counter.
I’ll be damned! Toast with a smiley face.
Up From the Ashes 
Stinky-eyed compassion.
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Ha!
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There’s always a kindness where you least expect it. Well, not always perhaps… Nicely done, Alicia.
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Thanks, Sandra. I wasn’t much inspired this morning but missed last week … Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Love it. Perfect ending.
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Thank you very much. Trying to go on the lighter side this week.
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Dear Lish,
I could just hear and see this woman. Love the voice and the smiley faced toast. 🙂
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle! I think my muse took me a bit a stray this week. But . . .
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You can just never tell what a person is thinking. I bet she has resting *itch face. 🙂
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Ha! That made me laugh. That’s exactly what I was imagining. Thanks for putting her into words.
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🙂
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Good on that waitress 🙂
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Indeed! Thanks, Iain.
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Good ending to a sorry tale. Glad the narrator is so upbeat about life — though maybe lack of motivation has been a problem.
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Possibly. Thanks so much for reading and leaving a comment.
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i guess she didn’t expect that. me, too. 🙂
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I’m glad the smiley toast surprised you. Thanks.
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A little bit of kindness from a stranger can make the world a brighter place 🙂
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It really can, can’t it? Random acts of kindness make the world go round. Thanks, Ali.
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This is so well written, Alicia – such a great voice. And I approached homelessness for this week’s FF too. I wonder if it was that slice of bread, that hint of home that made us think about those who don’t have one? Really lovely stuff
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Oh, Lynn, thank you! I was really feeling like this was fluff – lots of “likes” with few comments often tell you that is so. In other words, you’ve made my day. I’m behind in reading other’s work. Will stop by to meet your homeless person soon.
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Definitely not fluff! One of my favs from the week
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I enjoyed your descriptive writing, and I loved your ‘toast with a smiley face’!
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Thanks so much, Penny. I’m glad you stopped by and left a comment. Will get to reading other FF submissions this afternoon. A bit behind this week! Who knew I had so many appointments in town? Cheers!
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A heartwarming tale indeed! Excellent.
Click to read my FriFic
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Thank you, Keith. Tried to go on the lighter side this week.
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Gag..cough…gag… ‘smiley face’ ….ugh! I think I’ll go without this meal, thank you.
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Hey! The main character is seventy-five! What else would he say? Thanks for stopping by to gag, Jelli. 😉
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Giggles! I can see it, seriously. I used to work eldercare. I can see him telling an old war story about eating rancid rations in the bottom of a foxhole or trench.
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Ah this was nice.
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Thanks 😉
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Cute story, I stink. I mean, I think. I mean, 😉 (smiley face)
Randy
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No matter whether you stink or think. I’m glad you stopped by. Thank you.
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I love that waitress…
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Crusty but kind. Thanks, Dale.
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They usually have the biggest hearts…
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The smiley is another perspective of this prompt not highlighted by many. Great write.
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Thanks! I also saw a ghost but didn’t know what to write about it.
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I don’t think you can write fluff. I think if you tried, it’d be funny like hell. I often only write a short line when I’m late and people already said what I would have wanted to say. Your writing always leaves me in awe, as does this story which is sad and also warm because of the stoicism of the MC and the humourous compassion of the waitress.
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You, Gabi, are too kind. Thanks for the words of encouragement. Always glad to have you stop by.
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Even rotten apples have a solid core inside. Sounds like the waitress does too. It takes both rain and sunshine to make rainbows.
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Yes, on both counts. Thanks very much.
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Fantastic descriptions as ever, had me wrinkling my nose. 🙂 at toasted smiley faces – great uplifting ending.
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Thank you, Sarah Ann. I’m glad you liked the ending.
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Leftovers from the kid’s menu? Still, a fun break from the monotony of bus travel.
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Ha! Maybe. Thanks, Alice
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Appearances can be deceiving indeed. But the questions is does she eat it or instagram it?
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A darn good question! Thanks, Alicia
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Lovely💖 Some people are really nice, nicer than you think and that’s a wonderful surprise😍
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Isn’t it? Thanks for stopping by to read “The Gift” and for leaving a comment.
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