It’s been a long time, looking at photo prompts each week and feeling stuck. This one just spoke to me, and the story wrote itself in ten minutes–– a sweet spot, after a long dry spell. Great shot, Russell! If you’d like to read more stories, or join in, check out Rochelle Wisoff-Field’s blog, Addicted to Purple. As always, honest constructive feedback is appreciated; please leave a comment.
©RussellGayer
End of the Road
Maggie lifted the last box and headed for the door. Her back ached from loading the meager but heavy belongings from the crumbling house.
“John, can you take this one to the truck; I need a minute.”
“Take your time.” Her husband ran is hand down her back, glanced around, and left her alone.
Years of financial struggles, no health insurance, and job worries had lead to a steady disregard for home repairs, in the house they bought when they married.
Now there was no hope.
“It’s all in the toilet,” she murmured as she walked out into the cold.
(exactly 100 words)
* * *
Please share your thoughts in the comments. I want to hear what you have to say.
KAPOW! I didn’t meet the 2016 goal for Likes on the Tales From the Motherland Facebook page; missed it by 14! So this year, I’m not setting a goal. I’m grateful for each Like I get. Have you stopped by to spread some fairy dust? Follow me on Twitter, LeBron James does (yes, for real)! Most importantly, if you like a post I’ve written, hit Like and leave a comment. Honest, constructive feedback is always appreciated. Click Follow; you’ll get each new post delivered by email, no spam.
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TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
Dear Dawn,
You must’ve heard my thoughts today. I’m happy to see your face in the Hollywood Squares, as What’s His Name puts it.
Gut wrenching and too true to life story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle. It’s been in my thoughts for weeks… and weeks… well, and a few more weeks. Today I just pulled the trigger. 🙂 I’ll take Paul Lind for the block.
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So heartbreaking… but may be a chance to start over…
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There’s always a chance to start over; it’s just not always easy.
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So true
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And YOU would know that, my dear. xo
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💖
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good to see you writing.. and writing well.
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Thanks so much Audra! I’ve tried to read 3 posts of yours recently, and they were gone: poof! I’ve been too slow lately!! Glad to connect. xo
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Brilliant! And searingly sad.
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Thanks so much Susan; I appreciate the feedback!
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Its pathetic and the punch in the end line!
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Hoping this is positive? Not sure what part is pathetic. 😉 I appreciate the feedback.
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I didn’t mean the writing is pathetic, but the situation. Sorry!
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LOL! Wasn’t sure, as I do get some negative feedback too. 😉 Thanks for the clarification. And yes, it’s a sad, sad situation that many American’s face!
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👍
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We been up. We been down. It doesn’t matter. It is the journey that counts — as long as they love each other.
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Usually that’s true, but not always. Love doesn’t pay the rent. Thanks for the thoughts, Mike!
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On that we agree, Mike! Thanks for the feedback; it’s appreciated!
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Dear Dawn, LeBron reads your stories because you are a good writer! Very well done but oh so very sad too. Hopelessness IS just like the toilet. Well done!
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Thanks Nan! I’m pretty sure LeBron could care less, but it gives me the teeniest of thrills. 😉 YOU reading, that means something! Thanks for the lovely feedback!
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Such a shame, I like to imagine they are moving onto something better.
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It’s hopeful to think that, yet the economy shakes so many to the core. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Lain!
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That’s such a sad story and increasingly common I fear. I really enjoyed the subtle way you told us that love was still alive in their marriage. So clever! Just John running his hand down her back. Not merely is that an intimate caress, but it ties in with her aching back. John had noticed her pain, and wanted to ease it.
As well as being sad, that story makes me angry. There is absolutely no need for people to suffer like that. It’s the greed of a very small number. There’s plenty to go round if it was shared fairly.
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I so agree with everything you say here Penny! I appreciate that you noticed the subtler piece that I wanted to convey. Yes, they still have love. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by Tales From the Motherland; I appreciate your feedback!
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How lovely to see you back, Dawn, and with your usual flair too. It sounds like they have each other. For the time being, anyway…
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Thanks Sandra; it’s so wonderful to see all the faces I’ve missed so much! Seriously. It’s been a hard year, and my writing has suffered, but I was so happy to see this post and dive in. It’s icing on the cake, that anyone takes the time… Headed to Israel tomorrow, and will catch up on reading then! Thanks for your encouragement; it always touches me. xo
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Unfortunately shit happens! Should be the tagline. good response to the prompt.
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That’s so true. It’s sad when the shit gets real. Thanks for stopping by Tales From the Motherland, Ellen; it’s much appreciated!
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Pop over and have red here anytime. 😇
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Good one, Dawn. If you’re taking Paul Lynde for the block, I’ll take Charlie Weaver.
Sounds like these two had a rough row to hoe. Hopefully, things will improve for them on down the road.
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I think we all can get beyond tough things… given my lack of writing inspiration this year, I certainly hope so! And I’m going to call on Phyllis Diller to block Charlie Weaver! 😉
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I’ll take Rose Marie for the win. 😉
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Such a beautifully written, so sad story!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thanks so much Susan. I appreciate you stopping by TFTM, and taking the time to share your thoughts!
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A sad tale. The other side of the American Dream. Where hope and love seem to have failed, does forgiveness still exist?
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I think the love is still there, and the hope is that that’s enough to sustain them. Or, that was my intention. 😉 Thanks for the feedback Kevin; I appreciate it!
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Ah… thought so when I read the story, but I had a different feel when I skimmed through the comments. Glad my tiny feedback has helped in some small way.
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No feedback is every tiny; it’s a community and I appreciate your time. 🙂
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Beautifully crafted piece. Her sadness dripped from every word.
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Thanks so much; that’s wonderful feedback!
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Brilliant. I know someone already said that, but it was my first response.As Congress’s new tax bill gets closer to reality, I fear your story will become so many people’s stories. When I received our property tax bill the other day, I looked at this year’s $800 increase (the usual) and said we either stop fixing what’s old or broken or move. I don’t want to move, but …
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Nancy, I’m so sorry to hear that. I tagged the tax bill in this piece, as that’s exactly what I was thinking about when I wrote this. I fear a lot of people will be facing harder times. Thanks for your perceptive comment!
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Happy to see you here! This story draws in so much life’s disappointments.
And “Now there was no hope” pulls it all together.
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Thanks so much Lish. We seem to be editing all the time! 😉
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A touching, sad story–a reminder of the stories of too many. Beautifully captured in 100 words.
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Thanks so much Jan. Sorry for the delay in responding, I’ve been sick and off line. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by TFTM to read my work!
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So sad, yet there are people facing similar scenarios all the time.
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There are indeed. Thanks so much for your feedback, Liz. Sorry I haven’t responded, I was ill and off line.
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Life is so full of ups and downs… I just hope that they can build something new when everything’s lost. It only takes one streak of good fortune (or hard work)
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That’s true in so many ways! Thanks for the feedback Björn, and sorry I haven’t gotten back to this… I’ve been very sick, and off line. I appreciate your time and feedback!
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I saw that on facebook… Hope you are better now.
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It’s a long recovery, but home from the hospital today. That’s a relief. Scary 10 days, so it’s good to be in my own bed. 🙂
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Such sadness. Well written.
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Thank so much; I really appreciate your feedback and apologize for the delay in responding!
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Welcome back, Dawn. Great use of the prompt to describe the terrible position they find themselves in. Good writing as always. —- Suzanne
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Thanks so much Suzanne. It’s wonderful to see you here. I’m sorry I didn’t respond sooner, but I got very sick and have been off line. Thanks for the kind words!
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