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.

(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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Nice one, Amy. Am I sensing a more sinister undertone with this one?
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Thanks, Tom. I like the sinister direction, especially because she left without a trace. Well, except for her African Violet.
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I take it there had been others before Randy. I’m not sure what became of Stephanie, but I’m hoping she ran away to join the circus.
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The circus is the place for all types so one never knows. Never say never, Russell. Thank you.
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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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I’m so pleased you liked my story, Rochelle. I almost planted my story in the toilet, twice…but decided on a different path. Thanks!
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Intriguing story. Wonder what happenned. Well done scenes that describes the atmosphere of a dorm.
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Thanks, Ansumani. I’m not sure why Stephanie disappeared, but I don’t think she’s coming back anytime soon.
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Nicely done – opens up a bigger world than even that very odd photo does.
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I rewrote those first sentences a few times to get it to a 100 words. What a nice thing to say, Trent. Thanks for the compliment. Indeed, it is an odd photo!
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You always leave me wanting more. I may be thinking of Stephanie the rest of the day imagining the rest of the story. You definitely have a talent for connecting with your audience.
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Thanks so much, Michelle. It means a lot to me that my words have that impact on you. I hope Stephanie doesn’t disrupt your day in a bad way. 🙂
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Oh boy. I’m sensing a dark side to Stephanie. Very nice, Amy! Happy weekend.
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I’m leaning toward the dark with Stephanie, too. It can’t be good to suddenly disappear. Thanks, Brigitte. Happy weekend to you!
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So many possible endings here. Good and mysterious.
Tracey
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Thanks, Tracey. Glad you enjoyed it.
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Mysterious..and way to leave us hanging, Amy! ( grumble)
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Thanks, Audra. Oh, sorry! What can I do?
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Keep writing is what you can do 😁
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Yes! I can do that. Thanks, Audra.
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Great piece Amy. This was nicely done, but a sadness too. To leave her “baby” behind makes you wonder why she left.
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Thanks, Laurie. Maybe she outgrew the space or it was too hard to stay. Glad you liked it.
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Nice and mysterious, Amy. Well done 😉
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Thanks, Dianne. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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Nice story, Amy. It took me back to my college dorm room. You leave this open to interpretation as to what happened. Not sure what I think, but I’ll have to think about it. 🙂
-David
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Thanks, David. Not sure I really know what happened to her, just that she disappeared, the way people did sometimes.
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Oh, dear. You’ve drawn me in, and now I am very worried about Stephanie.
Well done!
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I’m worried about her, too. Thanks so much, Jan.
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I wonder where she ran off to, and whether it was entirely her choice? Nice one!
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Can’t say I have all the answers exactly. I just don’t think she’s coming back. Thanks, Ali.
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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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Thanks so much, Dale. If it were a longer piece, of course, I could provide more. But then again, sometimes people just disappear out of your life and you really are left wondering.
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So.sadly true…
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Ohhh the nice side of creepy!
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Thank you, Louise.
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I enjoyed the story and the sinister undertones toward the end. Very well crafted as it left me wondering what happened next.
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Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it.
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I really like the open question at the end of this. Everything moves along like velvet then ????? Well done.
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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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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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No need to apologize. I loved it! Thank you.
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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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I REALLY like this one Amy.
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Many thanks, Dawn. 🙂
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It’s no mean achievement to make the reader connect with Stephanie in 100 words. But you did that. Well done.
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What a great compliment. Thanks so much, Sandra.
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I almost wish I had known more about Stephanie and her penchant for African violets. You’re putting a lot of us to shame for taking the high road! 😀 Good story, Amy!
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Well, I certainly almost ended up in the toilet. It’s hard to not want to go there, Kent. I’m glad you liked my story. Thank you!
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No, thank YOU for taking the high road. hahaha! I know I sure didn’t … well, not like Perry, anyway.
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I guess I’ll have to see for myself!
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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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It’s true. You do have to be ruthless to follow your dreams, which seems to be harder to do these days. Maybe that’s where my story came from, Gah! Glad you enjoyed it.
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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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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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A sad worrying piece beautifully done.
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Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it.
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the secret went with her, i guess?
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I think it’s safe to say, Plaridel.
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Maybe she is enjoying the first flush of freedom?
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Haha. Nice one! Could be, Subroto. Thanks.
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a bit of history and then a haunting mystery! Great use of words!
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Glad you liked it and thank you for the nice compliment.
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Your story makes me concerned as to what happened to her. She seems rather a dreamer. Life is sometimes rough on dreamers who are on their own. Well done, Amy. — Suzanne
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That’s true, Suzanne. Life can be especially tough on dreamers who don’t have a plan. Stephanie might fall into that category. Nice observation. Thanks so much.
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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
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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
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Always my pleasure, Amy!
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