Each week Rochelle Wisoff-Fields encourages writers from all over to participate in Friday Fictioneers. With a photo prompt, this week provided by D. Lovering, writers are asked to write a 100-word story, with a beginning, middle and end. Check out the other stories, or join in, at Rochelle’s blog: Addicted to Purple.
I apologize for not reading as many stories last week, as I usually do, but I was out of the country, with limited internet access. I always appreciated thoughtful or constructive feedback. Please leave a comment.
(99 words)
As her friends rubbed fragrant oil on her arms and along her shoulders, Julietta shivered. Her hair was coiled in an elegant chignon at her neck; her mother’s tiny cross lay against her smooth neck.
She smiled at her reflection in her grandmother’s ancient mirror, as the old woman’s gnarled hands lovingly adjusted her dress and then her delicate veil.
She caught her mother’s eyes– tears brimming, as she took her place in the traditional seat. When her brother lifted her high and carried her out into the festive square, she imagined Antonio’s perfect eyes, waiting beside the priest.
* * *
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TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
You’ve been missed.
Thank you for giving me the chance to journey somewhere this morning, too.
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Lovely story Dawn. I guess everyone wants a close-knit family like that. Many of us have been fortunate in having one. What a beautiful happy ending. 🙂
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Thanks PRS. I initially thought of a similar wedding, set in an ancient time/place. The image was so festive… I can’t imagine going any other way. 😉 Glad you liked it
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This is a lovely snapshot of three generations. Excellent writing as per usual.
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Thanks so much, Helena. Always tickles my ego, to garner your favor. 😉 Loved the dialogue you inspired last week! Checked back, each time I had some internet access… Very interesting feedback from the masses.
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For the most part. I tried to stay out of the side dialogue between a couple people, but other than one snide comment, I thought it went okay.
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I thought it was very interesting… I sincerely hope my comment was not the snide one. I was being playfully sarcastic, but wasn’t sure if you understood that. I only relax that way with people I think are I could sit and enjoy a drink with. 😉 I really appreciated your candor and very direct approach, with a potentially touchy subject.
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Dawn, it appears we both were inspired to write wedding tales. The feeling of history and love is apparent in yours.
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Thanks Alicia! I haven’t gotten to read any yet… but can’t wait to check out yours. Thanks for the feedback; it’s always appreciated.
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Nice! Welcome back! Aren’t we going to hear about the trip?
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Arrrrgh! I have written a post, but have not been able to load any photos. I’m having all kinds of WP issues lately. Lost the entire set up on my blog (widgets, etc) and it will take hours to re-do. Now, this photo issue is driving me MAD! Yes, there will be a few posts… but not without photos. I will email you later, Lisa… re: the TT follow-up. I’ve just been dealing with a lot on my plate with this infection and now the ribs… what a miserable few months, health wise!
I’ve missed our chats… Thanks for stopping by, friend!
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I hate what WP did with the photo app. (Grr)
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Wait! I thought it was just me… is there a new app? What’s the deal? I can’t load any photos for my post. However, I had no problem with the Friday Fictioneer photos… Can you elaborate?
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Two posts back I was unable to fully load photos and to resize them like I used to. My last post the process was different, but at least it was working. I typically post Medium sized photos and then reduce them down to 300 pixels in the custom setting. That process is different now, but at least I figured it out.
I used to be able to paste from MS Word in order to preserve a sans serif font. I cannot do that anymore. The choice of fonts is a premium upgrade now. I figured out how to change my font using the HTML coding on the ‘Text’ tab.
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You are WAY ahead of me… your entire response is in Russian. 😉
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Ahhhh! I am TAKEN AWAY! Wonderful and sweet piece of writing,
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Thanks SO much! I imagined a wedding immediately… having spent time in Little Italy, in Boston, in my youth– I could see this couple, dressed in their finest. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😀
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Beautiful! You quickly grabbed my attention and I wanted to read more!
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Thanks so much Sasha. Welcome to TFTM; I really appreciate you taking the time to read and comment. It’s icing on the cake, that you enjoyed it. 😉
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That was an awesomely beautiful interlude, and just what I needed to put a smile on my weary face today. 🙂
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Thanks so much Faithsfire. I appreciate this wonderful compliment, and I’m happy my story helped improve your day! Thanks for stopping by TFTM.
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Ahh, so nice to have some romance on FF for a change rather than death and destruction (like mine potentially). Claire
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Indeed… I saw those happy banners and could only go in a positive direction. I’ll be reading tomorrow, but hoping there aren’t quite as many apocalyptic tales as usual. 😉 Whatever you write, I always enjoy it, Claire.
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What a sweet tale,Dawn-I was immediately spirited away to this place to become a part of the auspicious occasion 🙂 Loved this!
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Thanks so much! I think we can all use a happy tale from time to time. I’m glad you enjoyed the escape. 😀
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So true:)
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Dawn this was lovely. Three generations of woman each playing their role in a rite of passage for many. Some of us more than once. 😉
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Indeed! I’m really glad you enjoyed it, Dana. Thanks for your kind feedback.
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Aside from a dearth of dead bodies murdered horribly, for preference), this was a lovely story, Dawn. I hope her married life is as filled with love. I liked that three generations were there. That made is all the more special. I’m wondering whether you could use another word for one of the “delicates” that are so close together, perhaps “exquisite”, “dainty”” or fine” for the veil description. Not a biggie, though.
Welcome home! Glad you had a great time despite the ribs but sorry about WP. It’s such a pain sometimes!!
janet
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Yes! There is definitely one too many “delicates.” I knew that YOU’d find it, Janet. I was trying to figure out another word; got distracted from my editing, and ended up hitting “publish” without fixing the word issue. I really appreciate your consistently good eye for detail; always keeping me on my toes. Thanks!
It was an incredible vacation, but I am glad to be home… where I can rest a little easier. Very painful, and a real bummer to happen on such an awesome vacation. Four ribs, we confirmed today… ugh. The WP iss is a real pain in the @$$. It will take a big chunk of time to work it all out, and right now I’m a bit tired. Thanks again for your feedback; always appreciated! dawn
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That was a sweet piece of writing, Dawn! Loved it.
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Thanks so much! I’m so happy that my peers enjoyed this one. I felt particularly good about the mood of the piece, too. 🙂
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Reblogged this on ugiridharaprasad.
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Pingback: Friday Fictioneers: The Wedding | ugiridharaprasad
Thank you for sharing my story. Your effort is much appreciated. 🙂
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The word that comes to mind is “pretty.” Great post, Dawn.
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Thanks Cathy. Pretty works for me! 😉
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Dear Dawn,
Lovely feel to this story. You put me there in the scene and it was a nice place to be.
Although, I’m wondering if you couldn’t do without a few adjectives…ie, ‘smooth’ neck and ‘perfect’ eyes? Your call.
Glad you’re back in one piece…relatively speaking.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle. I appreciate your thoughtful feedback. I’m sure that the piece works with fewer adjectives; it is a personal style, I suppose. I trip myself on this issue, often. 😉 Have a wonderful weekend! dawn
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After I looked up ‘chignon’ I was ready to be swept up in the moment which you captured well. Perhaps if I had read a few romance novels I would have been better prepared. Thankfully, my thesaurus saved me from that fate. Welcome back, and I hope you feel better soon! – Mike
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Thanks Mike. I imagine you are not the first man to know know what a chignon is! Glad you persevered. 😉
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Such a cute story! Has so much warmth and love. Hope her life is everything she dreamed it would be!
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Thanks Hala. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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It’s a perfect description of the visual & emotional imagery
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Thanks Larry, and welcome to Tales From the Motherland. I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment.
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I’m following your Facebook page too. I’m strawberryfieldforever on Facebook.
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I’ll head over to like… clearly a Fab Four Fan! 😉
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yeah yeah yeah though I’m way too young to remember those days
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Larry, I checked out your page, but it’s a private FB page, not a blog FB page. There’s no “Like.” I can’t “friend” people from my Tales From the Motherland page. Sorry about that.
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Thanks anyway
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I tried, and I really appreciate you stopping by TFTM’s Facebook page. Thanks Larry. 😀
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It’s lovely, but aren’t they going to hoist Antonio up in a chair? Where’s the glass? What happened to the rabbi?
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It’s not a Jewish wedding my friend… I’ve seen this done in Little Italy, in Boston and imagined it in a smaller village. But, I like your eye for detail darlin’!
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just wondering why the bride had to be carried by the brother? was it had to do with tradition?
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Yes, tradition… thanks for taking the time; I really appreciate it.
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very romantic. reminds me of the wedding of Michael Corleone to his first wife Appolonia from The Godfather.
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Oh my! I haven’t seen that in SO long… I’ve been thinking of revisiting the Godfather series. However, an Italian wedding is exactly what I had in mind. Thanks for the feedback; it’s much appreciated.
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The paragraph with the grandmother is exquisite, Dawn. There is lovely heartwarming mood to this piece. Beautiful.
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Thanks Karen. I always appreciate your feedback; I’m glad you liked this one. 🙂
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Hope you had a wonderful Holiday! I love your story and it makes me smile with happiness for the bride and groom. Good job! Nan 🙂
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Thanks Nan. I just wanted to write something gentle and those streamers called out wedding to me. Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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Three generations touched together by a joyous occasion. A wonderful slice of life.
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Thanks so much. I appreciate you taking the time to read and pat my ego. 😉
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awww this is really sweet, dawn. reminds me that a lot of people i know are going to get married in june. i better prepare. 🙂 lovely.
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I know you would enjoy it more if the bride’s head fell off and Satanic shadows came down to eat her innards… before the priest… but I’m glad you enjoyed it as is, KZ. 😉 I always look forward to your feedback.
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not really. contrary to popular belief, i do like other genres 🙂 my older post for FF consisted of drama, romance, a memoir and even a trying-hard take on comedy. lol horror is something that i’ve discovered only recently. i grew up reading boxes and boxes of romance novels.
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Why KZ, you are a mystery indeed. 😉
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I greatly enjoyed such a touching wedding tale. I think oftentimes, the concept of remaining close to one’s original family while expanding into a larger family isn’t always remembered. Of course these things are special for the bride and groom, but it was great that you brought her family to play just as significant roles. I also loved that you painted this with the richness of a different culture and tradition than those commonly described. Delightful piece!
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Why thank you very much Adelie! Your comment is really kind and helpful. I appreciate you taking the time to read and share your thoughts. It means a lot.
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A really good tale of a perfect wedding.. to me depending on mode I wonder if it’s the last chapter of a romance novel, or the first in a novel on abuse….
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Perhaps it’s neither. The beginning of a happy life… or at least a simple, quiet life, filled with love. Or, maybe I’m just more optimistic than usual. 😉
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Nice imagery, in my mind’s eye I too could see Antonio’s eyes smiling at her.
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Thanks Dawn. I felt all warm and fuzzy about this one… I refuse to imagine an evil spirit or dysfunction anywhere around them!
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I love this take on my photo Dawn – it was a very happy day when it was taken and you have mirrored it perfectly in your story. Lovely imagery and such tenderness between the women – loved it
Dee
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Thanks so much Dee! I loved this photo, and (duh) didn’t realize it was yours! How clueless of me. It reminded me of festivals in Little Italy, Boston. I’m so glad my story worked for you, as your work was our muse. Thanks Dee.
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Full of romance and tradition, beautifully presented. Great story. Or first lines of something more?
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Thanks Patrick. I appreciate your kind feedback. I don’t think it will go any further, but I do love this weekly chance to explore flash fiction!
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I’m not big on weddings. I’m way too casual to be comfortable in such a formal setting as a wedding, but it was a nicely told story anyway. 🙂
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Well, glad you liked the story Adam… I appreciate the feedback. 🙂
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I like the generational snapshot. It’s an honest moment that’s only there for a second then gone in the breeze, never to be seen again–except in this story.
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Thanks Russell. That’s so true… these moments are indeed, so fleeting. Thanks for stopping by!
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