Friday Fictioneers – The Test

~ neilmacdon
diner-roger-bultot
PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

It was the only diner for fifty miles.

“Patriots’ Diner? No way I’m going in there,” April said as I swung off the highway.

Of course, I understood why.  “C’mon hun, I’m starving.”

Her arms folded, hugged herself, perhaps to hold in the anger. April didn’t like arguments but, once started, the woman could be meaner than a weasel in a trap.

“Why don’t you stay here and I’ll fetch something,” I suggested. “Burger?”

“If you think you can pass the patriotism test.”

The tone was sweet, but I knew she was setting a test of her own.

Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here.

54 thoughts on “Friday Fictioneers – The Test”

  2. Dear Neil,

    Obviously these two aren’t seeing eye to eye. I’m a little confused by the ‘patriotism test.’ I loved mean as a weasel caught in a trap. Sounds like someone you don’t want to pick a fight with.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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  3. Perfectly clear now Neil, great take. I’m not sure I would want to visit any diner based around patriotism either, although says a lot about politics at the moment rather than the original sense of the word.

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  4. Politics seems to get dragged into a lot of things these days. Many of those diners in the U.S. were started by servicemen returning from WWII or the Korean War. It was different in those days. Good writing, Neil. Happy Holidays to you and yours. 🙂 — Suzanne

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  5. Lol, I thought perhaps she was a New York Jets fan and as such wouldn’t cross the threshold of the “Patriots” diner. It certainly is a pity the way the term “Patriot” has been grabbed by those who seek to use it for their own, mainly, right-wing, agenda.

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  8. So, he chooses a woman who’s mean as a weasel in a trap (love it!) and he’ll go into a burger joint for some food and she protests over the name? I’d take her home by 8:00 and get someone else.

    Excellent take on the prompt, Neil.

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  18. I really enjoyed your take on this well done. I particularly appreciate the ones which stir up a philosophical issue or tension, which you have done so well. I don’t think I’d go into a patriot’s diner. I think I’d be worried about being shot. I think by insisting they keep going, she could’ve avoided trouble.
    I also saw this from the perspective of our family going on a long road trip, which we do quite often. I could see my son being the starving teenager and my daughter who eats like a sparrow taking the ethical high horse. My husband and I would also want to keep going but there could also be requirements for a toilet stop.
    xx Rowena

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  26. Nice set up, Neil. I wonder what this Patriotism Test is all about. I can’t think it’s anything good with all the extremism around these days. I don’t blame her for sitting in the car! Great writing.

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