The lawn chairs were rapidly filling spaces on the grass.
Shari looked down and focused on her book. She was hoping to disappear.
Maybe, no one would notice her. She hadn’t wanted to attend the concert.
“People will ask about you”, Bart raged. He was adamant about her going.
The seething fury in his eyes said it all.
She was startled back by a syrupy voice.
“Are you excited about Bart’s solo tonight? Marjorie asked.
“Sure she is”, Kathy mimicked Marjorie’s syrupy Southern drawl.
“Did you break your arm Shari, dear?”
“The dog,” Shari said meekly. “The dog tripped me”.
2015©isadoradelavega
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Genre – Fiction
Word Count – 100
PHOTO PROMPT – ©davidstewart
The challenge is to write a story in 100 words – beginning, middle and end.
Hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields – to join in click here
April 3, 2015 at 12:48 pm
Sharp fiction. Looking forward to checking out your website. Happy Easter.
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April 3, 2015 at 6:58 pm
Hey …. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a very nice comment. I appreciate it very much.
I will be popping over to your blog and getting to enjoy some your posts too. Thanks again. 😎
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April 1, 2015 at 5:32 am
A great take on a difficult topic. Nice work.
KT
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April 1, 2015 at 2:30 pm
I appreciate your kind thoughts on my story. Thank You ..!!! 😎
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March 30, 2015 at 5:57 pm
Domestic violence ..A topic many sweep under the rug. Its good it’s brought to the open by good stories like this!
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March 30, 2015 at 10:12 pm
Thank you so much for the very complimentary words. ❤
I believe there are too many stories in the news lately about this.
For example, a man doused his wife with gasoline and set her on fire. I know that's harsh to write to you about but it was my inspiration for writing about domestic violence. So sad ..!!!
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March 29, 2015 at 7:51 pm
Very sad, though a clever take on the prompt. Hope she can get shot of him soon. Nice writing too.
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April 1, 2015 at 2:52 am
Unfortunately, when they’re very battered they don’t see options. But, perhaps, more awareness can help.
I’m pleased you enjoyed my take on the prompt. I apprecaite your visit and very nice comment. 😎
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March 29, 2015 at 6:35 pm
Well told. I can’t imagine what goes through a woman’s head when she’s trapped – or feels trapped – in a relationship like this. Kudos.
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April 1, 2015 at 2:56 am
Fear … plain old fear. It’s the only thing they see, feel and know. It’s the reason they stay. They can’t imagine
other options. Sadly, we need to teach our girls to walk away because love shouldn’t physically or emotionally hurt.
Thank you for popping in and leaving your very insightful comment. I appreciate your kind words. 😎
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March 29, 2015 at 3:31 pm
This just make me furious at Bart.. Hope he chokes on a tuba..
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April 1, 2015 at 2:59 am
hahaha … I think Bart could look too good with that tuba down his throat.
I think a couple of shots to his eyes and a huge gunshot to the chest.
Oh my …. now I’ve done it. : )
This story is based on stories of people I’ve known. They’re always sad and helpless situations.
They can’t seem to see a way out. I’m pleased my story stirred you but it’s fiction with a sprinkle of reality.
Thank, Bjorn, for popping in and leaving your great comment. 😎
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March 29, 2015 at 1:22 pm
Dear Isadora,
The fear of being alone, the fear of the unknown, the fear of being unloved, the fear of rejection, the fear… God damn the fear. I believed my mother when she told me she’d fallen down the stairs to the garage when I was young. It wasn’t until I saw my father hit her that I finally understood. Despite those experiences I will never be able to walk a mile in her shoes or Shari’s shoes, but I try.
I have nothing but contempt for a man that would hit a woman and nothing but love and empathy for a woman in Shari’s position.
Your story was excellent and heartfelt and will help to spread the word. One day, perhaps when women finally collectively leave them, men will learn. Outstanding work with this piece.
Aloha,
Doug
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April 1, 2015 at 3:17 am
Dear Doug,
Yes … it’s the fear. Especially, woman who don’t have a foundation for making a living. They wonder how they’ll make it.
My response has been slow to your comment because your story is my story. I never knew my Mom was being abused. I
knew there was WW II going on every night. I knew there were issues and constant over-the-top fights. Heck, my Mom
was known as Super Woman because the doors were constantly being ripped off the hinges. I don’t really know or can I say who was the true abuser. They were both insanely violent. But, I do know my mother has black eyes and bruises but my dad had them too. I think they were both very angry, sad and miserable people yet behaved like all was okay but it wasn’t. I suppose they thought we were naive enough to think it was a happy Father knows Best family. It wasn’t.
Thank you for sharing your insightful thoughts and for appeciating my story that doesn’t even begin to showcase the thoughts I have on this subject.
Adios,
Isadora
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March 29, 2015 at 1:17 pm
Dear Isadora,
Shari needs to disappear…from that relationship. Honestly, I don’t think you need to end with “another lie.” It’s obviously a lie. 😉 There’s tense confusion with “no one will notice her.” I think “would” would work better…Aside from those nitpicky issues you tell an all too true story. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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March 29, 2015 at 3:26 pm
Hola Rochelle,
Would you believe I had ‘would’ and changed it after I had posted it? I do that a lot. Like when you take an exam and just before you hand in your paper you change your answers – that’s me. It’s back to the original. Thank you for nitpicking. I don’t mind at all. 😊
I wondered about those 2 last words – “Another lie” – but to be honest, I needed 2 more words to get to 100. I’m going to try to find a place for 2 more words and delete that. 😳
Thank you for visiting and commenting on my story. 🌺 There are a great many woman that need to disappear from these
types of relationships.
Adios,
Isadora 😎
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March 29, 2015 at 12:45 pm
A very well told short story, Issy. I really feel for Shari.
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March 29, 2015 at 3:28 pm
I’ve known a lot of people who’ve had this type of abuse. It’s sad, very sad.
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March 29, 2015 at 8:52 am
Gripping writing, Isadora. 🌻
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March 29, 2015 at 3:30 pm
I’m so pleased you thought my story was gripping. It’s difficult to write a story in just 100 words
and get it all in. Thank you for visiting and leaving your very complimentary comment. 🌺
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March 28, 2015 at 11:29 pm
Oooh, VERY well done – loved the story.
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March 29, 2015 at 6:55 am
I’m enjoying the Friday Fcitioneer prompts. I’m pleased you loved my story.
The challenge is a good way for me to learn to be more concise in what I want to say.
Thank Tina …!!!!
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March 28, 2015 at 9:37 pm
OOH…that Bart – let me at-em. We’ve all known a Bart. You clearly have fiction in your blood.
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March 29, 2015 at 6:59 am
There have been a great many Bart’s in the lives of some friends of mine. The names have been changed
to protect the innocent. ; ( No matter how they’re treated they just put up with it. Frustrating to
watch and demeaning to the woman. I’ll be right by your side if there’s a rally. 😍
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March 28, 2015 at 8:33 pm
A powerful story well told, on a topic that needs to be addressed, Izzy.
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March 29, 2015 at 7:01 am
Yes, it’s very true Naomi. It’s difficult to watch the woman being demeaned. They become nothing as their
self-esteem goes way down intot he toilet. Thank you for commenting on my story so very positively and for
your lovely visit. 🌺
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March 28, 2015 at 6:42 pm
Oh no, she needs help fast.
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March 29, 2015 at 7:03 am
As a great many woman do but are too firghtened to do anything to save themselves.
They’ve been torn down and can’t seem to see it. Sad … very sad. 😳
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March 28, 2015 at 2:28 pm
Sad that so many women find themselves in these situations…
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March 29, 2015 at 7:05 am
Being torn down so terribly keeps them from making the proper decision to walk away.
It is sad. Thank you for visiting and leaving a very thoughtful comment. 🌺
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March 28, 2015 at 1:56 pm
Excellent! A poignant scene of domestic abuse being pushed under the rug and the abuser sadly being protected.
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March 29, 2015 at 7:06 am
Indeed, a scarey cycle that continues to this day. It doesn’t seem to get the attention it needs in order to solve it.
Very sad … !!! 🌺
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March 29, 2015 at 10:10 am
Yes! Domestic abuse is very sad.
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