Dreams Unfulfilled

For Friday Fictioneers 100-Word Challenge: 26 February 2021

Note:This story is written in memory of the boy who has died last week during the Texas winter storm. May he rest in peace.

Photo Credit: Dale Rogerson

 
As the snow started falling, Pepito, the 11-year-old recent immigrant, couldn’t hide his excitement. He played outside running all over the place with complete abandon with his dog.

“Come, Maria,” he beckoned his little sister to join him in the fun. But she’d rather play inside with her doll.

It was destined to be his first and last winter. Record-low temperatures caused massive blackouts that left his family and million others without electricity for days.

Freezing and shivering in the cold that night, Pepito died, his dreams unfulfilled. Roses in their neighbor’s garden survived and mourned for his untimely passing.

Twist of Fate

For Friday Fictioneers 100-Word Challenge: 19 February 2021

Photo Credit: Ted Strutz

 
Dante looked at the mail he had to deliver today with a sigh.

Back in the Philippines, his dad was the local postmaster and wanted him to take over his job when he retired.

“What’s more can you ask for?” his traditional father said. “It offers job security and you don’t have to leave town.”

But Dante had other ideas. He wanted to try his wings and pursue the American dream.

In a strange twist of fate, he ended up working for the post office. It was the best job he could get to establish himself in the new country.

War

For Friday Fictioneers 100-Word Challenge: 12 February 2021

Photo Credit: Alicia Jamtaas

 
It was a beautiful autumn day in the Argonne Forest. It reminded Tommy of home and Sara. He wrote her often but she never wrote back. He wondered if she had forgotten him.

What Tommy didn’t know was her mother had been intercepting his letters. She didn’t approve of their relationship and wanted Sara to marry somebody else.

“Fix bayonets!” the order came. From the muddy trenches, they emerged and attacked the enemy. It was the bloodiest engagement Tommy had ever experienced. He barely survived with wounds on his back.

Recovering from the hospital, Tommy pondered what the future held.

Growing Boy

For Friday Fictioneers 100-Word Challenge: 5 February 2021

Photo Credit: Trish Nankivell

 
“Mom, why does Billy stay in the bathroom more often and longer than he used to?” his little sister Anna asked. “His voice has changed too.”

Living in a big family, the bathroom had become Billy’s refuge. It was the only place where he could be alone in peace and quiet until the knocks on the door became persistent.

As puberty hit and his voice started to croak, the bathroom had played more role in his journey to self-discovery.

“What’s the matter with him? Anna continued. “Is he sick or something?”

“Don’t worry about it, Pumpkin. He’s a growing boy.””

Goodbye

For Friday Fictioneers 100-Word Challenge: 29 January 2021

Photo Credit: Marie Gail Stratford

 
Coming home from the airport, John found the place desolate and lonely.

He became emotional seeing the almost empty bottle of water and her daughter’s favorite book lying on the living room where she left them.

“Dad, it’s just a goodbye,” Ella said as he saw her off to college. “I’ll be back on spring break.”

“Honestly, where did the days go?” John sighed. “It seemed like only yesterday that I was helping her sell Girl Scout cookies.”

But the ever thoughtful Ella had a point. She was right. He could look forward to more goodbyes before the final one.