It had been weeks since I visited Henrietta. To soothe my guilt, I picked up her favorite sparkling wine. At ninety, she wasn’t a fine wine drinker. Five bucks would do. I purchased her favorite dark chocolates too.
I could see bright lights on in the kitchen. She usually kept them on low.
She’d say, “I have a budget, you know.”
Finally, Henrietta opened the door. She seemed dazed.
“Hi Henrietta,” I said.
“Who are you?”
“It’s Ella.”
She grabbed the Gazela and slammed the door.
Curiously, I peered through the window.
Behind the huge spiderweb, lurked a man’s shadow.
2018©Isadora DeLaVega
Genre: Flash Fiction
Word Count: 100 words
Photo Prompt:©Victor & Sarah Potter
To join Rochelle and her Friday Fictioneers
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Inside the Mind of Isadora 
January 21, 2018 at 2:29 pm
You could definitely see your expertise in the work you write. The sector hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.
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January 21, 2018 at 1:00 am
I’m no longer certain the place you’re getting your information, but great topic. I needs to spend some time studying more or figuring out more. Thanks for magnificent info I used to be searching for this info for my mission.
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January 20, 2018 at 11:48 pm
Good one! I’m assuming that since she grabbed the bottle of wine that the man in the shadows was a friend and not a foe! LOL!
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January 21, 2018 at 12:52 am
I sure hope so, as I hadn’t thought about the story further than the 100 words. 😳 Of course, she may have been thinking quickly by planning that the bottle would be the perfect weapon. 🤔 Thank you for coming by and commenting, Linda. It’s always a pleasure to see your thoughts on my posts.
Isadora 😎
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January 21, 2018 at 11:38 pm
Heehee! I hadn’t thought of the weapon aspect! Good one! LOL!
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January 22, 2018 at 2:45 pm
The elderly who live alone are very vulnerable. But, there are a few feisty ones who can manage to defend themselves. Let’s hope she’s one of them if need be. 😎
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January 25, 2018 at 12:13 am
Me, too — I mean, I hope I’m one of the them if need be! 😛 😉
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January 25, 2018 at 4:46 pm
👍😊
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January 18, 2018 at 11:45 pm
Love the way you worked the web in at the end … Well done!!! … PS: Please stop by Sunday night (after 9 pm) into Monday for post #2000. I will appreciate your presence.
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January 20, 2018 at 7:07 pm
I’m enjoying these 100 word stories the more I do them. It’s a great group of encouraging writers. Glad you enjoyed, aFrank. Thanks for the invite. I’ll be there for sure. Are you on Eastern time? I was supposed to watch a pod for another blogger and didn’t take time changes into consideration and missed. Don’t want to miss yours. Good Luck …. WOW 2000 posts. BRAVO .. !!!
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January 20, 2018 at 7:34 pm
Yes … Eastern time … I’ll around 9 PM.
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January 20, 2018 at 8:17 pm
👍
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January 17, 2018 at 9:55 am
I hope the man is a good friend or relative. I hate to see the elderly taken advantage of. It sounds like she’s suffering from dementia. Good writing, Isadora. —- Suzanne
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January 20, 2018 at 7:11 pm
You bring out some good points, Suzanne. There a a great many elderly that suffer from dementia and that are taken advantage of because of their frail health. I’ve witnessed it with some elderly friends. The person does have to be heartless to do that, for sure.
Thanks for the wise words.
Isadora 😎
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January 17, 2018 at 9:01 am
Good on Henrietta. You are never too old for love.
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January 20, 2018 at 7:12 pm
Heartfelt love contained in a heart never dies. Bravo for Henrietta, for sure.
Thanks for popping by, Irene.
Isadora 😎
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January 16, 2018 at 11:49 pm
She was rather abrupt with her friend but I suppose at age 90 you don’t waste time. lol
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January 16, 2018 at 7:46 pm
Thats fantastic. So much so concisely
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January 20, 2018 at 7:14 pm
I sure try each time I participate in this challenge to have a clear concise story.
It can be a brain teaser, for sure, but worth it. Thank for popping by and commenting, Deb.
Isadora 😎
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January 15, 2018 at 6:24 pm
I thought of someone who was robbing her or otherwise threatening her. The idea of sex didn’t cross my mind until others mentioned it. About people sneaking into each other’s rooms in nursing homes? Yup. I did a practicum one year in a nursing home, and there were a couple of old dudes who could hardly walk, but they managed to find their way into women’s rooms. They always said they were lost when the woman in the bed rang the bell for help 🙂
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January 15, 2018 at 9:08 pm
I was originally going for the burglar but then it shifted when I had the friend buying her favorite wine.
BTW … a friend I know is 90 and does drink $5 dollar wine though she can afford something a little more pricey.
It’s all about preference. : ) Well, here in Florida there are many, many nursing homes where wanderings go on.
Sadly, some are lost due to dementia or altzheimers but there can be a few who use it as an excuse. HAHA
Glad you nenjoyed my little tale of lurking shadows. Have a fabulous week.
Isadora 😎
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January 14, 2018 at 9:45 pm
Oooh! Go Henrietta! I hope I still have that energy at 90… 😀
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January 14, 2018 at 10:23 pm
There are some firecracker woman out there still looking. Florida is where older woman come to find men and vice versa.
They are worse than young people. They’re always flirting even with a man whose with a woman. They’ve done it to my husband.
He said he felt like he was in a meat market. HAHAHA I guess when times almost up there’s no time to waste. HAHA
Another comment I received was that she was meeting with her lawyer to get her papers in order. Mmmm … could be.
Or perhaps, she was sick of this not-having-time-for-her friend so she found a new one.
I just love the way this story has brought out many ideas from everyone … and … smiles for me.
Thanks for chiming in, Dale. Hope your weekend is going well.
Isadora 😎
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January 14, 2018 at 11:10 pm
I’ll know where to go then… should I need to! 😉
Actually, STDs have gone up big time with the older folk… they seem to have forgotten they need to take care!
That’s what I love about FF – people interpreting your story in ways you never imagined. 😀
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January 14, 2018 at 11:32 pm
Ironically, in many nrusing homes they sneak into each others rooms. I’m not surprised that’s happening.
I think when your that old safety isn’t a factor. I hope I never get there. 😳 HAHA
Yes … the FF peeps are great about reading our stories and adding their spins. I love this group. 😁
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January 15, 2018 at 2:52 pm
Yep! That’s what I was saying. One thinks when they’re old safety is not a factor but when you have a randy old man doing the rounds…😉
I love this group too!
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January 15, 2018 at 5:00 pm
😜 HAHA
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January 14, 2018 at 8:50 pm
Maybe Henrietta had found someone willing spend more on her than crappy sparkly… she deserves the Champagne
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January 14, 2018 at 9:45 pm
I’ve been enjoying the way this story has had many ideas to add to it. You may be right. She doesn’t need a “When I can make it friend.” Great twist, Bjorn. I like it. Thanks for popping by and leaving your insightful comment.
Isadora 😎
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January 14, 2018 at 5:09 pm
He might have been a lawyer helping her draw up a new will.
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January 14, 2018 at 10:11 pm
HA HA … you know, Penny, I’ve had so many ideas left in the comments but yours is perfection.
Yes, 90 is a time to have all your papers in order. Very clever of you to think of it in that way.
Thank you for leaving your insightful comment.
Isadora 😎
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January 14, 2018 at 12:27 pm
Querida Isadora,
This one could be taken one of two ways. My hope is that the man is one of Henrietta’s choosing. If she’s still up for a beau at 90, by all means, she should pursue. The way she grabbed he wine and slammed the door I’d say I”m probably right. 😉 Congratulaciones en la boda de tu hija, mi amiga.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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January 14, 2018 at 11:08 pm
Querida Rochelle,
Oh the ideas I’ve been left here in my comment boxes. It’s been fun to read them.
I rather like the one Bjorn said, “Maybe Henrietta had found someone willing spend more on her than crappy sparkly …”
Or Penny who said, “He might have been a lawyer helping her draw up a new will.” Clever … right???
There are many, many elderly men and women who are always eyeing each other with flirtatious looks. When your older there’s little
time to waste. HAHA There’s going to be a hot time in the old town tonight …. me thinks too. 😄
Gracias por sus sentimientos de la boda. Tengo que ir por avión. No me gusta los aeroplanos. 😩
Abrazos,
Isadora 😎
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January 14, 2018 at 8:56 am
I hope he’s also 90 then there’s nothing to worry about!
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January 14, 2018 at 10:15 pm
HAHA … Gilly, he had better be. But I saw a movie once where an elderly rich woman was being courted by a young man.
One never knows what people are attracted to. Someone else commented that it may have been her lawyer coming to prepare
her will. Another said, she had found a new friend since this one was so unavailable. HAHA I just love the comments this story
brought out in my bloggers. Thanks for poppin in … hope your weekend is going well.
Issy 😎
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January 13, 2018 at 10:32 pm
Something sinister going on behind that door!
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January 14, 2018 at 9:49 pm
‘Ms. bringing sparkling wine thought she was special.’ Perhaps, Henrietta found a new special someone or new friend.
I like the sinister angle better. I wrote it both ways but went with somekind of mystery instead. Those 100 words push the brain quite a bit. Thanks, Iain, for picking that up.
Isadora 😎
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January 13, 2018 at 5:48 pm
Henrietta obviously didn’t want more company.
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January 13, 2018 at 6:03 pm
At 90, you can do anything you want. Maybe, she has a new beau. hehe
Thanks Christine for popping by and commenting.
Isadora 😎
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January 13, 2018 at 4:40 pm
I hope that, as she grabbed the wine rather than fleeing the scene, she was happy to share with the shadow.
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January 13, 2018 at 5:29 pm
Or hit him on the head and knock him out … haha … I think this story has more to say than in 100 words.
Glad you enjoyed and commented, Liz. Thank you …
Isadora 😎
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January 13, 2018 at 4:05 pm
Oh that was intriguing and chilling in equal measure. Hope she’s going to be okay!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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January 13, 2018 at 5:31 pm
Perhaps, the wine was going to become her weapon. MMmmmm … intriguing, indeed.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your wonderful comment, Susan.
Isadora 😎
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January 13, 2018 at 2:35 pm
Great story Issy! Love the spiderweb in the window!
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January 13, 2018 at 5:33 pm
I wonder how the spider created that big spiderweb with no one noticing … AND … how long did it take?
I’m curious. Your always so suppotive and sweet, PJ. Thank you hugs …
Issy 😎
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January 13, 2018 at 5:56 pm
That’s a good question! It’s really amazing to me how they build these webs.
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January 13, 2018 at 6:23 pm
I wonder how big the spider was. Hopefully, it’s not a tarantula. hehe 😎
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January 13, 2018 at 6:31 pm
Haha! I was chased by a tarantula when I was a little bitty girl! Scary!!
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January 13, 2018 at 9:39 pm
🙄😊
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January 14, 2018 at 11:18 pm
YIKES … 😩😳
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January 15, 2018 at 1:24 am
When I woke up the next morning and went outside to play it was on our front steps waiting for me. LOL!
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January 13, 2018 at 2:05 pm
Scary stuff!
Click to read my FriFic!
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January 13, 2018 at 5:36 pm
Or perhaps, a clandestine rendezvous. HAHA
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Keith.
Isadora 😎
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January 13, 2018 at 7:37 am
Oooooo I am creeped out by this
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January 13, 2018 at 5:38 pm
Oh, let’s look at it like she was having a fling and needed her privacy. Wine would help … hehe
Thanks, Laurie, for your comment.
Isadora 😎
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January 13, 2018 at 6:07 am
Woah! That was an exciting and chilling ending!
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January 13, 2018 at 5:39 pm
Thanks, Anurag. I didn’t know which way to go with the ending. 100 words is too short. Maybe, she has a new beau. HA HA
Isadora 😎
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