
I blame Mum. Mum was glum (see what I did there?). So, when Hettie rebelled, as all kids do, she became an irrepressible optimist. “Thank you, God, for breaking my leg, so I’d have the time to stay home and finish these books.” That kind of Pollyanna thing.
So, when the sea wall broke, and the town flooded, Hettie exclaimed, “It’s just like Venice” and bought a gondola.
Under those circumstances, nobody can blame me for strangling my sister, right?
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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

I think if we strangled every optimist, we would all drown in pessimism.
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But how much worse might it be if we strangled every pessimist?
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Absolutely watertight alibi there! Pardon the pun haha! Fun story!
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Thanks so much, Fleur
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Dear Neil,
I admit that I laughed at the last line. Does that make me a bad person?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Only until the last player of the glad game is strangled
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Oh, that was really funny! Thank you so much. Waking to the news this morning out of Louisiana, I really needed a good boost. Being optomistic as I can. We walked the 0.5 mile in the sleet to get out for some internet this morning. I remembered my bumper shoot… hubby… well, he got a little wet. LOL! (snorting laughter). Happy New Year, Neil…and to your family as well. ~Shalom, Bear
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Happy New Year, Bear
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A tad drastic, but totally understandable!
Have a wonderful New Year, Neil!
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Thanks so much, Keith and the same to you
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There’s such a thing as toxic positivity, but I’m not sure this response is totally justified, no!
Happy New Year, Neil! (But not too happy, I don’t want to be next on your list!)
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It would be fair to say he does have a slight tendency to overreact
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This is like that one chirpy person at work who cheerfully announces good morning before I’ve drunk enough coffee.
I wouldn’t blame them! Nicely done Neil.
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Thanks so much, Laurie
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You’re welcome, Neil 🙂 now I’ve got to find/prod /the muse and see what we can do with this week’s prompt. It’s a beautiful watercolour!
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No one can blame him if the body washes away in the flood. Otherwise, there might be someone who tries.
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Thanks for reading
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Innocent!
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Thanks, Danny
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Right. There might even be help with the strangling.
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A long line of volunteers, perhaps
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Hehe. I guess her optimism will have a hard time now. Nicely done.
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Thanks so much, Angela
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Late reading but worth the wait.
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Thanks so much, Jade
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You’re welcome.
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