It’s Wednesday-Friday and time for another addition of Friday Fictioneers. Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for posting Sarah Potter’s picture and making us all think. Here is my 99-word story.
Samuel: Two-years-old
“Come to Mamma, baby boy, walk on over here! You can do it.”
Mamma: pretty and bright-eyed, dark-haired, plump.
Samuel: Eleven-years-old
“Honey, Mamma hasn’t got time right now. Run along.”
Mamma: thin, tired all the time.
Samuel: Eighteen-years-old
“Look, Buster, I’ve had it up to here with you. Get outta’ my face.”
Mamma: gaunt, jittery, hair matted and dull.
Samuel: Twenty-years-old
“Packed your bags. They’re by the back door. Get.”
Mamma: skeletal, dull-eyed, her hair gone limp and whispy as spider webs.
For the last time, Samuel shut the door against the chemical stench of crack cocaine.
Up From the Ashes 
Dear Lish,
Painfully unique and well done. A lifetime in a hundred words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle. Those spider webs reminded me of my mom’s hair while she was in hospice. Only my Mamma always remained sweet and kind. Cheers!
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That was inventive, Alicia. As Rochelle says, unique and painful
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Thanks. Sorry to go dark again this week. Must be the cobwebs.
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Oh man. This one is sad indeed. Nicely done.
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Ooops, sorry. Next week I’ll try the lighter side. Maybe it’s the rain falling outside my window, although the Pacific Northwest needs more and more of it. Scary dry here.
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This hurts to read… but i find joy in Samuel maybe growing up to be a responsible man.
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Samuel did manage to avoid the addiction but perhaps stayed too long. Thank you, Bjorn!
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A harsh life. It seems Samuel did well to get out of it, even if he couldn’t save his mother.
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I think it’s a good thing his mom kicked him out. Glad you stopped by, Iain.
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A downward spiral. Hopefully what he saw encouraged Samuel to strive for a future of fulfilment.
Click to read my FriFic!
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One can surely hope. Thanks, Keith.
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Loved the structure and the terse style of this Alicia. Good one.
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Thank you, Sandra. I guess this week I’m playing with different story structures to pull me into an unknown, experimental zone. It’s been kind of fun.
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Awful, awful drug Alicia. A terrible blight on so many lives. Loved the structure of this heartbreaking tale
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Thank you, Lynn. Working with different story structures helps get the mind working.
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Very true – stretches the old grey matter 🙂
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Ow! That’s a powerful one
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Thank you.
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Wow, he made it twenty years before ditching her? That’s an accomplishment.
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Love tried to win out. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
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I’ve seen this, somewhat, I can attest to it’s validity.
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Thanks, Dawn.
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I saw that train wreck coming but you kept me reading and hoping.
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I’m glad, Tracey. Sadly, I’ll bet you’ve seen a case or two like this. P.S. Glad you’re safe here in the states and hope all is well in Mexico.
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Thank you. My friends are safe but grieving with the rest of Mexico.
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It’s a sad tale indeed but I’m glad you allowed poor Sam to dodge the lifestyle —and the type of men Mom would have hung out with. That’s often where the worst danger comes for kids in those homes.
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I had to be nice to Samuel because his mom sure isn’t. Thanks for a thoughtful reply. Alicia
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Oh dear, poor Mamma went down hill. I loved the whole timeline unfolding here.
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Thank you, Ali. That seemed a good way to unravel the story. I’m glad you appreciated it. Alicia
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What a sad story, even though I could feel where it was going, could sense the twist, I had to keep reading, and it still made tears well. You are so accomplished no matter what style you try or invent. great stuff.
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And you, Kelvin, are very kind. Thanks very much. Lish
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Oh my goodness Alicia, that certainly packed a punch. Brilliantly done.
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How lovely of you to say so. Thanks!
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Did you say experimental? Doesn’t feel like it at all. Very very well written. Two entire lives charted out. Brilliant.
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Thank you very much. I appreciate your stopping by and leaving a comment, too.
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ooh that last line. Wonderful
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Thanks. I was hoping it wasn’t too much of a “tell” ain’t not a “show.” The100-word limit cuts a lot sometimes – in a good way. It’s made my writing much tighter, that’s for sure.
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Shockingly dead-on perfect.
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Wow!!!! Thanks, Jelli.
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This story makes me so angry, that people will sell crack cocaine knowing full well what it does. You surprised me, moved me, and reminded me of the hazards from which we must defend our children and grandchildren. Thank you for posting the story.
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And thank you for reading the story and leaving a comment. I always appreciate it.
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My heart broke more with each line.
Beautifully sadly done, Alicia.
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Thanks, Dale, sorry to make you sad!
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‘Tis a good thing to make your readers feel..😎
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I liked the structure of this. Very sad as we watch her slide downhill. My wife’s sister was into vodka and pills. It was heartbreaking to watch her self-destruct.
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I’m sorry to hear that! I bet it was truly hard to watch and no, without a doubt, there’s nothing you could do. Thanks for sharing your story.
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Great take on the prompt. I was inspired by his resilience as much as I was disgusted by her weakness.
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Thank you. I think addiction is an easy road to step onto that turns into a roller coaster that’s hard to get off of.
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drugs can do one in. sad story.
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I hope I never have to find out by personal experience through friends, family or myself.
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Omg this was amazingly told. A terrible story
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Thanks, Laurie!
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Scary because it can be so close to the truth for too many individuals.
DJ
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I know. Sad how it’s happening to so many people now. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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That is just so tragic and vivid biography of someone ruined by addiction. It happens all too often, and I can understand why someone would rather leave, than see someone they once loved (or still do love) kill themselves. Anyway, there’s no helping a person when they’re that far gone …not usually anyway. Excellently written, Alicia.
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Thanks, Sarah. I think someone living with a person with an addiction has to be VERY strong.
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Oh, the heart hurts. What a sad–and unfortunately too often true, picture of a life.
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It seems drug addiction is becoming all too prevalent. Thanks for reading my story.
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A stark reminder of how drugs can kill anything, even love.
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Oh, you are so right! Thanks, Liz.
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Maybe, just maybe she realized that she was a lost cause and didn’t want her son to be around her anymore, thereby sparing him. Good one, Alicia. Very dark and powerful.
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I think that’s exactly what’s happening! Good catch. Thank you.
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Time passes, can’t be returned again, and there’s Samuel’s life…I hope he learns from her mistakes.
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I definitely think he abhors her life. Thanks so much for reading and leaving a thoughtful comment.
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Oh. Sad. A story too often told, I”m afraid.
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I’m afraid so. Thanks.
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The ending changes it all. Nice one.
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Thank you!
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Heartbreaking story.
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Sorry… Glad you stopped by.
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No need to say sorry. It’s a sad tale that’s true to life, unfortunately.
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Oh dear. This is so sad, but he needed to shut the door and walk away…
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Yes, it’s time. Thank you.
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Thanks for meter reading my taradiddle. Oh. Sad. A taradiddle too often told, I”m afraid.
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Thank you for introducing me to the word “taradiddle.” And thanks for reading my work.
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