I figured Bernard had nothing to do in this run-down out-of-sorts neighborhood
but sit on the wall, head down, fingers tapping.
Probably sex messaging.
Ruining his life one blip at a time.
Sad, he was a good-looking boy
but I had no time for a fellow digging his own grave.
I had plans.
2008 Bernard disappeared.
Likely ran away or was stabbed in a fight.
I no longer have the energy to wonder.
Too busy fending off my husband’s fists,
scrapping with my kids.
Still, there’s time to read this morning’s headline.
“Bernard Phillips Named New School Principal”
Well, I’ll be damned.
Considering his responsibilities as a principal, I so hope he completely avoids the massages.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Massages?
Thanks for reading and commenting, Larry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
SO sorry. I misspelled a bit. Sex messages are still just as bad though
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! I could have figured that out. Thanks, Larry. Happy New Year.
LikeLike
Bernard could have been her ticket out after all
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep!
LikeLike
Loved that Bernard proved her wrong, good for him! =)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Brenda! Bernard had the best plan.
LikeLike
I assume that Bernard wouldn’t use his fists… after all he could have written essays rather than sex messages
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly! Thanks, Bjorn. One should never assume what another is up to. Alicia
LikeLike
Dear Lish,
A lot of story in those few words. Bernard doesn’t sound like someone who should be a principal. Scary.
shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I see where you’re coming from! My bad. Bernard wasn’t sending sex-messages, he was studying to go to school! Thanks for reading and commenting. Happy New Year, my friend. Lish
LikeLike
Oops, I see where I missed. The sex messaging was her assumption. Happy New Year to you, too, Lish.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good heavens! Easily done. Sometimes things get garbled inside 100-words.
LikeLike
I’m glad she was proved wrong, good for Bernard! She sounds like a bit of a gossip, actually, with here “probably doing this” and “likely doing that”, all wrong!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another layer I hadn’t thought of. Thanks, Ali.
LikeLiked by 1 person
P.S. Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The last line says it all: “I’ll be damned.” Stubborn as a goat, she let a bit of snob and judgment get in the way and wound up an abused wife. Damned indeed. Great piece, as always.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much. Happy New Year.
LikeLike
She’s a pretty dreadful judge of character. Shame she went for the man with the fists over the quiet Bernard. Maybe he wasn’t sex texting, maybe he was researching college courses to apply for! Great story Lish
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Lynn, and thanks for commenting. I always appreciate it. He was researching college courses. She was too blind to check it out. Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Silly girl. But then we all make daft mistakes. Let’s just hope she’s not too late to put hers right. Have a great 2019 Lish
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have a wonderful 2019 as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
You’ve got to open the book to discover the secret…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed! Happy New Year, James.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Both lives took an unexpected turn. It’s funny how sometimes the best laid plans go astray whilst success creeps up on others. Well done, Alicia. Enjoyed that
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sandra. Happy New Year!
LikeLike
What a beautifully crafted story, you suggest a vivid picture of the two people concerned in so few words. I felt drawn into the tale.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for leaving such a kind response. Happy New Year.
LikeLike
Wow what a change in circumstances. I hope his commitment levels have changed
LikeLiked by 1 person
They were always there, just no one took the time to notice. Thanks, Laurie
LikeLike
i should have looked at the picture more closely. was he the fellow in the background who appeared lost in his own world?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! The fellow sitting on the wall. Thanks for reading and commenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Her bad for judging him without getting to know him. She coulda been a contender 😉
Kudos to the quiet Bernard.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Dale. You’re right as rain! Have I said Happy New Year? If not, HAPPY NEW YEAR!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have now!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
May be Bernard was writing his job application.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or studying like crazy! Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year to you and your family. May god grant all your wishes.
LikeLike
Oh the places Bernard will go!
On an unrelated note, after I’m long gone, I do hope a goat will come pay her respects.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not unrelated at all. Heck, there’s a goat in the picture and I’m sure baby goats in cute sweaters will come to pay their respects. Thanks for reading and commenting, Mike. Happy New Year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seems like Bernard came out better off.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I think so! Happy New Year!
LikeLike
Wow, I loved the voice in this. It was very real. I felt like I was in the same room with her.
And how often is it that those elected “Most Likely to Succeed” become flops?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Russell! You just made my day. Thank you. Happy New Year.
LikeLike
I’m a bit uneasy with the thought that someone who may have been sexting is now the principal of a whole school full of potential targets.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Probably” sex messaging. Probably is the keyword. She’s assuming and is terribly wrong. He’s studying.
Thanks for wondering. Happy New Year!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, that’s a relief 🙂 Happy New Year to you!
LikeLike
There’s a lot packed in here. Great write.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much. Happy New Year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome. Happy New Year.
LikeLike
Poor woman, sounds like she has a picker like mine
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Dawn. Happy New Year!
LikeLike
Happy New Year to you.
LikeLike