Friday Fictioneers is here. Our hostess, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields has chosen quite the interesting photo supplied by Mary Shipman. So many directions one could go in with this one, don’t you think? Oh? You have your own version to add? Please do! We participants love reading others’ takes on these photo prompts! Click on the blue frog for the hows and wheres and whatnots!
© Mary Shipman
Genre: Fiction
Word Count: 100
What Price Safety?
She refused to show her fear to her two small children, smiling brightly, holding their hands tightly.
“This way please, Ma’am.”
They followed the man into the seemingly endless warehouse, eyes wide in wonder.
“What is this place, Mum?” asked the oldest.
Before she could answer, the man did. “It is a place for new beginnings, Lad. No more living on the streets for you.”
They looked to her for confirmation, hope in their eyes.
She nodded yes. “We will live in the back apartment and take care of the store.”
Her body was a small price for their safety.
A Dalectable Life 
Dear Dale,
Wow. That ending hit me squarely between the eyes and says a lot about this poor mother’s dedication to her children. Simply wow.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
As you well know, sometimes a story takes over…
Not at all what I had planned last night!
Have a marvellous day!
Dale
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What a dark ending! It was all looking quite positive until then. The price the mother pays for her children’s safety. Great story!
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Thanks, Alistair. I was due for some twist in fiction!
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Wow, poor woman! And I was thinking it was all going well for them from now on. Love this piece!
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Thank you, Felicia! I started off planning on happily ever after but the story changed!
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Stories always love to go off on tangents of their own…
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True dat!!
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The matter-of-fact tone is so evocative of the mother’s logic. So much more powerful than angsty words.
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Thank you, Neil. That’s what I wanted!
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A truly sobering ending one most parents can understand in a heartbeat!
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Yes! Thanks, Willow!
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🙂
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It’s a steep price to pay. Let’s just hope in the long run it leads to a better life for all of them.
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Indeed…
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Good story–and I know many women throughout time have made these types of bargains to keep their children safe.
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Thank you Merril! Sadly yes…
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Well done! Didn’t guess it was going there. Interesting contrast between the children’s hope and the mother’s sense of reality.
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Thanks, Perry!
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Great work, Dale!
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Thank you!
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Well that was quite the interesting twist, and it was felt so matter of factly which just stabbed your heart a little deeper. Nicely done.
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Thank you, George… Sad reality for some…
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DANG! Sucker punch, The mom does what she has to, but … wow!
Nailed it, Dale!
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Thanks, Kent!
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Sometimes people do what they do in order to survive. That’s why I never blame the seller as long as we have unscrupulous buyers. Good story.
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Thank you, Subroto. Good for you!!
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Powerful story Dale, A matter of fact tone followed by a punch the guts. well done. Mike
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Thank you, Mike.
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The twist at the end came out of nowhere!
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Hope you didn’t get a torticolis!!
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LOL … good one … I can’t recall the last time I interacted with RR … is she OK?
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Been way too long. Shall heve to send her a love email…
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Oooh! You nailed this one, Dale! Hope you’re doing great and enjoying your new gig. Saw that post but didn’t comment on it before time got away from me.
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Awww thanks, Tammy! I’m doing great, for sure. Today was quite the initiation! Will definitely try to post about it this Sunday!
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Superb piece, cherie.
You got the tone spot on, with the kicker at the end delivered to perfection.
Sometimes I think you might be not bad at this.
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Thank you, ce! High praise indeed!
I may not be, eh?
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Now that was an ending and a half, Dale. Well done.
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Thank you, Sandra!!
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Dale, that was an incredible piece! What an ending!
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Oh thank you so much!!
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The ending felt like a punch in the stomach. Powerful 100 words.
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Thanks Vivi!!
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Oh no this is so sad.
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Indeed…
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Very powerful Dale.
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Thank you, Andrea
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That was a huge price.. and I see it more as a sad beginning… but I guess the streets might be worse… love how you let the weight fall down by that last sentence.
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High praise from you, Björn! Thanks!
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You sure know how to punch the reader unexpected. Great story, Dale. Total fail of humanity to let this be the only alternative for a mother to keep her children safe.
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Thanks Gabriele! Sorry about that…
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Oh my goodness,, Dale. That brought me to tears. It reminded me of Hemingway’s six word story: “For Sale. Baby clothes. Never worn.”
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Oh lordy… I think that one is even heavier…
Nice to see you, Bella!! Frank’s looking for you!! xo
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Hmmm… Who is Frank?
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Hee hee hee!!!
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Omigosh! I cannot believe I did that! I mistook you for Raye for a second!! Blame the itty-bitty phone pic…and my newfound tiredness for having such a brain fart!
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HA! I thought you were sending me someone by the name of Frank. I was getting excited.
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Dang… So sorry, my friend… xoxo
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darn, it was ending i didn’t expect.
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Good! Hate to be predictable!!
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What an ending. But what mother wouldn’t for her own children? Great story.
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Thank you so much. True, a mother will do just about anything for her children.
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Nicely written! The ending was shocking and so sad.
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Thank you, Josslyn!
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Another argument for women getting a good education. There’s always some lowlife waiting to prey on the poor and scared. I hope she finds a way out soon. Well written, Dale. You took us with that poor woman and her children. —- Suzanne
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Thank you, Suzanne. Yes indeed, that would definitely help change her circumstances…
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The boys looking up to her eyes for confirmation was very sad. I can imagine a mother doing anything to give those faces hope. Sad story …but love comes through strong.
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Thank you so much, Ansumani!
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A mom’s gotta do, what mom’s gotta do.
Good story Dale.
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Yes, for sure!!
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I felt this in my heart…well done Dale.
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Thank you very much IfeomaO!
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Oh my word, Dale, that’s your best story yet! You get better and better. That last line … phew.
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Oh wow! Thank you, Sarah. High praise from one I admire so much!
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🙂
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