
That was my father to a tee–“Keep Out of Reach of Children”. He wasn’t stern, never beat us, but he could wither your soul with a sneer. Pretty, sweet and icy to the core like this sorbet.
Every time I see that warning on tins of powdered milk, “Not to be Used for Babies”, I think of him.
His eyes are wide, as if in surprise. Yes, you weren’t expecting that in your choc-chip, were you? But the corners of his mouth are turned up. How I loved it when you smiled at me. The whole world became honey.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Ah the power of the parental look, better than magic. Good job.
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Thanks so much, Tannille
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Dear Neil,
Awe the sweet taste of revenge and chocolate chips. Unexpected flavor.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Most unexpected. Thanks, Rochelle
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The love-hate relationship with a parent. Perfect.
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Thanks Colline
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There is a darkness here, Neil…
Love it.
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Thanks so much. I’m afraid Daddy is no more
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Lovely sketch. Sweet 🙂
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Sweet? She killed him.
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Ah of course! It’s FF, which is usually a den of murder, abuse, suicide, and crime!
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The bond expressed in those last two lines… love it.
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Thanks so much, Iain
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I’m guessing—he died happy?
You used that packet of whatever perfectly, Neil. I looked at it, but my neurons weren’t coming awake and I couldn’t come up with a way to incorporate it. You did, though 🙂
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Thanks so much, Linda
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I like the ambiguity of your murderer’s emotions towards her deceased father. Parental disapproval can be terribly damaging, can’t it?
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I’m glad you picked up the ambiguity. You’re a deep reader, Penny
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He irritated more than just her skin. Sweet revenge,
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Bitttersweet, maybe
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Chocolate, chocolate chip does wonders for the soul, as does a loving smile.
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Even a smile of resignation
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I’m thinking he “could wither your soul with a sneer” once too many. Seems to have made the biggest impression on his daughter. So much so that she no longer wanted to see it.
Love how you used that packet of whatever it was!
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Thanks so much, Dale
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Compelling character study. Parents definitely imprint upon their children.
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Thanks so much, Jade
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You are welcome, Neil.
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This is tender and achy and beautiful.
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Thanks so much. It is also a murder of course
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Did you HAVE to ruin it … 😉
Yeah, I suspected as much …
Oy. Vey. Oh well … 😉
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Sorry
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😀
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I think she was a chip off the old block, as icy as sorbet. Nicely done!
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Thanks so much, Brenda
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when dealing with parents, you must have room for the unexpected. 🙂
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And vice versa
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Not all kids take sternness well…
Hope parents give children a good life and happy memories.
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Thanks, Anita
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I think you’ve been drinking from the same well as CE Ayr. Loved the choc chip line. I’m sure Daddy didn’t though, You certainly know how to surprise! 🙂
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Perhaps it’s Scottish dourness
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What DID you put in his icecream?
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Much the same as you
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Aw this is a great character piece. Several layers, each a different flavor, going deeper to explore more personality. Like a… a… tiramasu? Ok you are way better at this than I am. Well done.
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Thanks so much, Laurie. “Like a tiramasu” seems to me to demonstrate a good command of simile, so don’t sell yourself short
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Thanks ! 🤣
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And here I was thinking it was going to sweet to the end! What was I thinking?
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Sweet to the end? It starts with her fear of her father
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Perhaps I misunderstood the beginning. It happens. I got it in the end though!
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‘Looks say more than words’ Memories of priceless times ending with a perfect smile. Beautiful.
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She feared and hated her father, but she loved him too
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Uh… What exactly was in that sorbet?
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Arsenic
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“The Look” is such a powerful thing that it should be regulated. Love the story.
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Thanks so much, Bear
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I like the reflective style very much, especially the sorbet comparison to the father –‘sweet and icy to the core’. A subtle portrait.
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Thanks so much. I was pleased with the layers of emotion
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Wow!! This is incredibly well written. I love that last line too! The perfect way to end a murder.
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Thanks so much, Kristian
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I fear for my old age now. Deliciously dark and funny,
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Thanks so much
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Oh the complicated world of parents… both the harshness and smiles.
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And of damaged children
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