
I could always tell what Abe was thinking, as if a fluffy cartoon bubble floated above his head. Probably, you read it on his face and body language. In a kinder world, such transparency would be admirable, celebrated perhaps, but in this one, it was a liability. All his life, people duped Abe and took advantage of him, even me.
That late Thursday night, I didn’t need the scent of gardenias on his shirt—the smell of guilt reeked stronger. “Who is she?”
“What do you want?”
“The house.”
.
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

Great set up and killer ending.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much
LikeLike
Oh dear. That was cruel. Great writing, Neil.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much
LikeLike
Dear Neil,
No tap dancing around the truth there. Brutal. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Rochelle
LikeLike
Aw, I feel sorry for Abe, but at the same time, there’s only so far “I was duped” goes as an excuse. Nice way to leave the reader emotionally torn!
I didn’t quite understand the word “Probably” in the second line. What am I missing here?
Jen
LikeLike
Thanks so much. I don’t think you’re missing anything
LikeLike
The age-old question – “Who is she/he?”. Thankfully I’ve never had to ask that question. Love the snapshot of this relationship that you created.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Clare
LikeLike
I hope she’s worth it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading, James
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exquisite write, Neil. This line is so sadly dead-on in this world we live in today:
In a kinder world, such transparency would be admirable, celebrated perhaps, but in this one, it was a liability.
Abe is like Vincent (in the song anyway.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Jade
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome.
LikeLike
poor abe, in the age of trump, he doesn’t have a chance.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He does seem to lack the art of the deal
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Abe is the man who is always being taken advantage of. By his wife, his mistress and his own stupidity.
Do not give up the house without a fight. Though I suspect Abe has no fight in him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, James Abe is honest, but not necessarily stupid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah. I was all set for a happy ending. Well, maybe it WAS a happy ending?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hah. Fooled you. Thanks, Linda
LikeLiked by 1 person
Poor Abe, He’d never be a poker player!
LikeLike
I’m afraid not. Thank, Keith
LikeLike
I wonder how much Abe has been duped and how much he’s let others think they’re duping him? My money is on him not giving up the house.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, a game of double bluff, you think? Thanks Michael
LikeLike
Very dark! Well done.
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Rob
LikeLiked by 1 person
How very civilized. Scary! Good write, Neil.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much
LikeLiked by 1 person
If he had been honest, things wouldn’t be so brutal. Short and stinging.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much
LikeLike
Oooo you delivered this beautifully. Ouch Abe. Sounds like she’s got him pegged. Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much. Laurie. Abe may be incapable of deception, but not necessarily of resistance
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautifully written. Sounds like Abe gets taken advantage of, but is he honest? You’ve got me torn about his story. Is he always being duped or playing his own game?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Angela. Well, as for your question, he hasn’t agreed to part with the house
LikeLiked by 1 person
He didn’t try and deny. Maybe he is stronger than others realise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You may be right. Thanks, Patrick
LikeLike
Aaaah if it were only that easy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Dawn
LikeLiked by 1 person