Black Velvet Wishes – Friday Fictioneers

Amy Reese,

Welcome to Friday Fictioneers, lead by talented author and artist Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. This week’s photo was provided by Ted Strutz. Thanks, Ted.

All are invited to give this challenge a try. The goal is to write a 100-word story with a beginning, middle and end, based on the photo prompt. My story follows.

ted-t
PHOTO PROMPT – © Ted Strutz

(100 words)

Black Velvet Wishes

Her single dorm room was smaller than half of a double, but Stephanie didn’t care. She preferred the solitude and I relished visiting the peace and quiet of her small space. She welcomed me with a bubbly laugh. I contemplated the bookshelves and the African Violet positioned on the window sill as if they could be arranged some other way.

The plant was her baby. “Like black velvet,” she said, smoothing the petals. She smoked and told me about Randy.

He was the last one I knew about.

The African Violet was left at my door. “Take care of her.”

*******************

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67 Comments

  3. Dear Amy,

    I’m with Russel, but I fear that Stephanie didn’t run away to join the circus. Thank you for not planting the African violet in a toilet. Well done story that left me delightedly hanging.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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  15. Wonderfully done and yes, I’m with Rochelle, glad you left the toilet behind… It’s wonderful when a writer leaves so many things unanswered… allows the reader to go where they will!

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  19. So much is beautifully unsaid in this piece. I love stories that hint at a far larger story, and let the reader fill in those spaces. (I think that’s why I am loving being part of the Friday Fictioneers so very much!) I was intrigued by the line, “I contemplated the bookshelves and the African Violet positioned on the window sill as if they could be arranged some other way” — it made me wonder why the narrator would want to arrange Stephanie any differently. It feels like Stephanie might live in a way that others possibly don’t approve of and her life might be filled with others trying to change and limit her. So in the end, perhaps she chooses her own arrangement? While your story could very well be sinister, it could also be Stephanie choosing a path outside the boxes others are making for her. That’s the beauty of a story like this—I get to imagine Stephanie as a warrior. Who knows what new life she has stepped into? It’s a beautiful mystery.

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    1. p.s. sorry to write such a huge essay in response to your lovely short piece! I looked at it when it posted and thought, “Oh. Um. That’s kind of long.” 🙂

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    2. Helena, wow, thanks for your thoughtful response to my story. I’m so thrilled you enjoyed it and to read your reflection here. Often times with these stories, I don’t know why I’m writing exactly what I’m writing, and want the reader to interpret what’s happening in the story. I like FF for that reason too. Your explanations here are certainly plausible and appreciated! That’s great you think of Stephanie as a warrior. I imagined her that way too breaking out of the small confines of her space, both physical and mental. The African Violet is a parting gift, which I think is in good hands. I so appreciate you taking the time to give me your feedback. Thanks for the compliments.

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  23. This is great, Amy. I really like Stephanie, she doesn’t fit the norm, but cares about her plant, and her friend, to leave them behind to look after each other. To me it looks as if she’s following her dreams without second thought. You need to be brave and a bit ruthless to do that. Oddly, I see nothing sinister.

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  24. I don’t see anything sinister here. If she’d just disappeared and the narrator had gone to retrieve the plant, yes, but not with Stephanie making sure the plant was taken care of.

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    1. Thanks, Adam. My intentions weren’t really sinister, although I suppose it could go there. I think it’s the idea of someone just vanishing that might make it appear sinister. I think she lost a friend.

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  30. Wow, Amy! Thoughts of whiskey, carnivorous plants, murder, mental illness, and my grandma came to my mind with this one!

    My grandmother had lots of African violets in her home – they were her prized possessions! Too funny!

    I think you did an incredible job with that strange, but interesting prompt! xoxo

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Oh, my!! How funny that your grandmother’s most prized possessions were her African violets. You just never know what you’ll learn when writing these little stories. Thanks again for all your support of my writing, Kelly. I appreciate it. xoxo

      Liked by 1 person

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