I knew it was her the moment I saw the boots. She’d been wearing them when she disappeared, only now they looked a little more battered.
If I’m honest, her going was a blessing. She’d never been easy, even as a baby. I wanted to look for her but Bill said it was best we leave it, let her come home when she was ready.
The days turned into months then years and things were much better with her not around. Bill and I even started going out and taking holidays.
Now she’s back.
What the hell does she want?
Mike Jackson
A 100-word story for the prompt at Friday Fictioneers.
Categories: 100-Word Stories
Mike
A writer of short stories.
I like stories where people feel things we don’t expect of them. This is one such
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Thanks for your comments Neil. Glad you enjoyed it.
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Good one!
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Thanks Jelli.
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Wow! You’ve introduced such a complex relationship in such few words. Loved it!
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Many thanks for your comments, glad you enjoyed it.
I enjoy the challenge of writing to just 100 words.
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wow…. this one really grabbed me! Nice!
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Thanks, Penny, glad you enjoyed it.
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whew that’s one hell of a relationship! I appreciate this story because this is in most cases the norm in family relationships. I feel it is important to sit down with someone you don’t like and talk it out. Sometimes the relationship worsens yes but it’s better than pretending that you like someone when you really don’t. Most family relationships are complicated in of itself but, if you’re open and honest about it, then maybe it will lead to a better relationship.
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Thanks for your comments. You’re right when you say relationships can be complicated especially family relationships. It was the fact that there is never a right or a wrong way to behave when it comes to such relationships that I was trying to get across in this short tale.
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Uh Oh!! You never know… Nicely done! 😉
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Thanks for your comments, Courtney.
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Love the honest thoughts about life becoming easier. I wonder if she is back to find out why they never looked for her! Nice one Mike.
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Who can tell why she’s returned home. One of the joys of writing such short stories is that you, as the writer, can leave the reader to interpret as they will.
Thanks for dropping by Iain.
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How old is she? It does make a difference.
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In my head, as the writer, I have an age in mind – as the reader, how old do you think she is?
Thanks for your comments, Alice.
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You’ve written such a complex story – featuring a brutally honest parent. Really liked this take on the photo prompt.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Many thanks for your comments, Susan.
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I guess you can never really go home.
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Sometimes circumstances drive you home when all other options are exhausted.
Thanks for dropping by Tracey.
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I’d like to think my door would always be open but who knows.
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I guess they won’t be having a party to celebrate her return 🙂
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I think the party may begin when she leaves again!
Thanks for your comments.
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There’s all sorts to think about here. Should we empathise with the narrator or feel sympathy for the girl returning. Is the narrator being selfish or should we not blame her because the girl is unreasonable and hard to handle. Nice work
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Thanks for your comments, Michael.
As a writer you feel your story may be of some value if it gets the reader thinking.
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Seems like a lovely little family. Nicely done, Mike. A lot of complexity in few simple sentences.
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Thanks for your comments Varad. Glad you enjoyed this short tale.
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The return of the prodigal daughter! Perhaps she’s a changed person.
My FriFic tale is called Jim and Jan!
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We can but hope Keith, but I have my doubts.
Thanks for dropping by.
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You imply so much about the family through their behaviour. I wonder what will happen now she’s back? It takes a great deal to change the love of a parent towards their child, even when their behaviour is outrageous. I hope their reconciled, but with a more honest relationship.
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There is so much backstory untold here. I hope you have filled it in to best suit you.
Thanks for your comments, Penny.
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Great job.
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Thanks for dropping by Lisa.
Glad you enjoyed this short tale.
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Presumably their daughter? You can’t always like your kids – well written!
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Thanks for your comments, Liz.
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I’ve feeling it won’t be a productive visit.
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You could be right.
Thanks for your comments.
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Your money of course. I like your take on the prompt, and turned into a moment of anguish for your characters.
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Thanks for your comments James.
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I agree with Michael. Who should we sympathize with? I really felt the mother’s let-down. As if life had just returned to peace now SHE is back. Nicely done.
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Thanks for your comments Alicia. Glad you enjoyed the story.
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Unexpected tale of complicated relationships! Well done!
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Thanks for dropping by Donna.
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Oooh! Great storfy. Poor woman had it made and then she came back. I have seen this happen for real. To have a happy outcome rarely happens – but it can!
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It can indeed but not, I’m afraid, in this case.
Thanks for your comments Nan.
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So life is better without her. A tragedy, because I understood her to be their daughter. Probably the kind who can start a fight in an empty room.
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Thanks for dropping by Jilly.
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