It’s time for Friday Fictioneers. Thank you to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting and to her husband Jan Fields for the wonderful photo.
All are welcome to join this challenge, which is to write a 100-word story based on the photo. Here are instructions. Give it a try. My story follows.
Genre: Realistic Fiction (102 words)
Accompaniment
Liza pounded the piano, the way her mother told her not to. It had been Mr. Stevenson’s cue to play.
Mr. Stevenson, a pianist for mama’s ballet class, was so good you hardly noticed him. “Like a waiter in a fine restaurant,” mama had told her. But mama had noticed because they had done the fine dining together.
Sweet music filled their small quarters like jasmine on a summer night. Liza and mama danced with roses in their hair. At night Liza heard a more percussive number, what Liza determined could only be 3/4 time.
“I miss the music,” said Liza.
“Me, too.”
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You can find more stories from the Fictioneers here at the Linkup.
i feel there was more to the story than words could say. 🙂
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Exactly, Plaridel. Perhaps the music told the story. Thanks for your comments.
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Subtlety evocative..like jasmine’s on a summer night.
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Oh, thanks so much Dawn. I want it to be summer now.
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OMG..me too me too! We are bracing for a blizzard here!
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Stay warm and safe, Dawn!!
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I have brownie mix and wine. As long as the power stays and I have heat, I am golden!
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Poor Mr. Stevenson did not survive being “noticed”. You are getting very good at making the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
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Could be, Michelle. He didn’t last forever. Thank you, truly. You’re so nice. I try!
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His absence is being noticed, however. Interesting parallel between music and other deeper feelings.
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I suppose he’s noticed when it’s too late. Or is it? I think music can be definitely bring out emotion when it’s shared. Thanks for your thoughtful observation, Perry.
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I read it as an affair that’s lost its shine. The ‘percussive number’ was teasingly ambiguous, covering both ends of the spectrum of relationships. Nicely done, Amy.
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Thanks so much, Sandra. Thanks for your thoughtful comments.
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Nice piece, I like “the way her mother told her not to”.
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Thanks! I almost deleted that whole bit, but put it back. I guess it belongs. 🙂
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Dear Amy,
It sounds like Mr. Stevenson was more than mere accompaniment for both Mama and Liza. Nice one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I think you’re right, Rochelle.I’m glad that came across. Thank you.
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I also read it as more than a piano player…
Nice take!
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Thanks, Dale. Glad you liked it!
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A delightful waltz!
Visit Keith’s Ramblings!
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Thanks, Keith!
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Such naughty possibilities either way, like a dramatic opera. I like this one.
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Oh, yes. This could get naughty, couldn’t it? Thanks. Glad you liked it, Jen!
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I feel that there are secrets only music could have told. Maybe the elusive Mr Stevenson was more visible than a waiter…
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Music tells its own story, Bjorn. I have a feeling you are right. He got past waiter status. Hopefully they were on a first name basis. 🙂
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Hey Amy!
It’s been a while!
Great story and the banging issue is one that I could relate to! My mom told me for seven years of piano lessons not to bang!
Regards
Jim
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Good to see you, Jim! Thanks for stopping by. That’s funny about the banging. I can see how that could easily happen. Do you still play now?
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Yes… every Sunday morning… and I am good with it.
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My interpretation was similar to Rochelle’s. Which actually surprise me, since I thought only men jumped to those conclusions. 🙂
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I guess music makes everything in neutral territory. Ha ha. Glad there is something for everyone is my story. 🙂
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I like the use of the “percussive number” in this piece 🙂 Good one.
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I wonder if Liza understands which part of the music her mother misses. Great story, I love all the nuances, and like the percussion. 😀
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What a picture you painted here in so few words. Very masterful, Amy. Felt too many emotions to count. Loved the metaphors and realistic melancholy. 🙂
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Wow, thanks so much for your kind words, Kelly. You’re so encouraging! Glad you enjoyed my story. Thanks for the support. xoxo
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Always, Amy! With pleasure! xo
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had done the fine dining together / heard a more percussive number
Two very evocative lines that let the reader know there’s a lot more going on between and among these three.
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Thanks so your very thoughtful comments, Alicia. They mean so much to me. Yes, that was my idea. There’s more going on here than meets the eye.
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This is really interesting and well done, Amy. I like the double meaning of the title. Reading the comments, it seems that people can interpret this in several ways. I like stories where that is possible.
-David
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Me too, David. I like stories where people are not told what to think and want instead to draw their own conclusions. Thanks for noting that! Thank you. Glad you liked it.
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Great story, Amy! Naughty and Nice!
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Thanks so much, Cathy. Glad you liked it.
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Three-four time? The waltz of love, I suppose 🙂
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Could be, Liz. Thank you.
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Amy – the secret behind your Friday Fictioneers brings us a new page of week to start and plan….a great method…
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Mihran – thank you! I love all the ideas I get from writing these stories. Indeed, they give me a lot of inspiration. Thanks so much for reading.
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Interesting, Amy… there’s definitely more going on behind the scenes here!
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Very intriguing – such subtle suggestions of secret goings-on. I love how you put this together, Amy.
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Thanks for you nice comments, Margaret. I was going for subtle and secretive, so I am pleased that came across.
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Such beautiful descriptions, especially these lines: “Sweet music filled their small quarters like jasmine on a summer night. Liza and mama danced with roses in their hair.”
And I wanted to know more about the 3/4 time.
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Thanks so much for those kind words. You made my evening. I’m glad you enjoyed my story. It’s all about the music, including 3/4 time. 🙂
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I guess Mr. Stevenson and the music came and went together. Both were missed. Well done, Amy. 🙂 —- Suzanne
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His music left with him, that’s for certain. I don’t think they knew how much they would miss him until, of course, he’s gone. Thanks, Suzanne.
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What a wonderful story Amy! Loved it!
Sorry I am just now stopping by. I kept your post in my INBOX until I could read it and comment. I started school last week and I am still trying to get my schedule and calendar under control. Unfortunately my bloggy friends are having to be put on the back burner until I can get to them. If I could just find a way to make my blogosphere stuff a productive use of my time, I would be in heaven! LOL!
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Thank you, Courtney. No worries! I’m sorry for the delay in responding. My computer is in the shop again. Again! But at least it hasn’t died. Good for you for starting school. How exciting! What are you studying? Good luck with it. Don’t worry. Blogging will always be here. 🙂 I can see how it might be a real distraction.
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