Title: Independence Day
Source: Friday Fictioneers sponsored by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple
Word count: 100 words

PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll
Lottie watched her father methodically shovel forkfuls of biscuits slathered with sausage gravy into his mouth. She never understood how he breathed, chew and swallow without choking on his food.
“Not, hungry?” he gestured towards Lottie’s plate with his loaded fork.
Her nose wrinkled and she tried to ignore the spittle and half-chewed food, as his fork found its mark.
“I’m not going to college,” Lottie blurted.
His face reddened as he choked, coughed and sputtered, swigging water he regained his normal coloring.
“Best eat your breakfast. It’ll be the last meal I’ll pay for.”
“I know,” she said.
________________________________________
Keep on writing.
Jo Hawk The Writer
Good story!
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Thank you dear Sadje. ❤
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You’re welcome 😉
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Well that’s one way to blurt out news that you know the other person doesn’t want to hear. Make them almost choke! LOL!
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LOL I’m sure it wasn’t intentional. 😀
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🙂
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brutal. I like the matter-of-fact way you told it
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Thanks Neil.
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A few words, but powerful!
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Thank you my friend.
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Yes, I smiled because any parents worst nightmare is to have their child defiantly say they “won’t go to College,” they have a better plan, they know better.
I can imagine the father chomping away trying to enjoy his dinner and THEN… the bomb goes off! Brilliant! You wrote it with humor, it was very good!
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I am happy you liked the story. Sometime young adults know better than anyone else. They just have to learn the hard way. 😊
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🙂
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Anytime two humans are involved it’s messy.
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So true. Thanks for reading and commenting. ❤
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🙂 YW
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A good and well-written story, Jo. You really brought that slob to life. She might have more than one reason for moving out, but if he was paying for college and I was living free, it would have had to be something much more than him being a slob before I wouldn’t have stuck it out. When my son left home to live with friends right after high school, my daughter said he was dumb. She didn’t move out to live closer to the college with friends until her senior year of college. 😀 — Suzanne
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Thanks Suzanne. There are many reasons young people act they way they do and many of their reasons are not based on sound thinking. I hope things have worked out for your son. Glad you liked the story. 😊
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Thanks, Jo. He enjoyed living with his friends. and took a gap year.before going to college. He has a good job and family now. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I love when a story has a happy ending. 😊
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Well, THAT took an unexpected turn! I was all grossed out by the spittle and mess in Dad’s mouth, so that the “I’m not going to college” thing took me completely by surprise. Well done 🙂
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Thanks Linda. It is funny the things you focus on when you have something important to say to someone.
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Oh, that’s very well told! Really excellent writing. Perfect pacing, and well-observed description, and a beautifully complete story arc.
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Thank you for your kind words Penny. I am glad you liked the story.
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At least he lived up to her expectations with his reaction!
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She didn’t seem at all surprised. Thanks for reading Iain.
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Wonderful take on “Independence Day”! Good for her…
My take on the photo: https://dbmcnicol.com/friday-fictioneers-declaration/
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Thank you, DB
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Not sure I’d want a breakfast with him! I wish Lottie well, go girl.
My tale – The Flag
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Ha, Once would be enough. Thanks for stopping by Keith. 👍
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well timed revelation!
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Thank you, Gina.
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I can so picture this scent, Jo. You wrote it so well. I do imagine one would focus on everything whilst trying to find the courage to say what they wanted to – especially knowing it would not be well-received.
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*SCENE!!! Not scent (though that might have been a Freudian slip as, someone who eats like that, probably doesn’t smell overly good either!)
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You crack me up. 😄👍
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Glad I do 😉
I have my moments…
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Thanks Dale. You are so right about where our focus wanders when we are nervous. 😊
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If I had to live with that I think I’d really want to get away to college! Very graphic.
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I am sure she is getting out. Thanks for reading and commenting Draliman
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Was Lottie’s father going to pay for her college and her decision may him angry? He definitely liked his food, and she disliked his eating. Two different people.
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Perhaps he was. For whatever reasons she seems to find the whole situation unappetizing. Thank you Abhijit Ray
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Your description of the way Lottie’s father eats is so vivid that I felt as disgusted by it as she did. ☺
What a believable exchange between father and daughter!
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Thank you Magarisa. I would say it was fun to write, but it kinda wasn’t. Sometimes we have to suffer for our art. 😊
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You’re welcome, Jo. Friday Fictioneers is a flash fiction writing CHALLENGE, and challenges involve suffering. Does that mean we’re masochists? 😉
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I suppose on a certain level that is what it means. 🙂
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