Author: Danny James

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”

Behind the Red Door

This post is in response to Friday Fictioneers. The challenge is to write a complete story with a beginning, middle and end in 100 words or less using the picture prompt below.

PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

I met Sara at the last meeting. I liked her sad story. She is homeless and sleeps on the grassy area under the highway overpass. We mumble “thanks for sharing” and let our minds wander back to our own pathetic world.

When my turn comes I rattle on about my recent good fortune. Faces turn as I describe my new digs. Suddenly Sara shouts that she is tired of sleeping on the streets and asks if I need a roommate. I give her my address.

“How can I find you?” she asks.

“Behind the red door. Number 6,” I reply.

Something to Remember

This post is written for Friday Fictioneers. The challenge is to write a short story, 100 words or less, with a beginning, middle and end using the picture prompt provided. My story follows that picture prompt below.

PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz

Living far from her parents was rough enough in normal times. And this definitely was not close to normal. She regretted now, more than ever before, leaving home. Leaving them so depended on others.

He did not even get the opportunity to see his latest grandchild. Even her mother was not able to be at his bedside when he died. Only the nurse. A nurse who nothing about the wonderful person that lay before her suffering his last suffocating painful breaths.

She received the dreaded last night at 3 a.m.

“Send me something to remember him,” she asked the nurse.

California Zephyr

This story is written for Friday Fictioneers. The challenge is to write a complete story with a beginning, middle and end in 100 words or less using the picture prompt below. My story follows the picture prompt.

PHOTO PROMPT © Alicia Jamtaas

His mind wandered in and out of the real world. His twenty eight years working on Amtrak trains occupied his decaying mind at the moment. He had a nightmare that would not go away.

He had to throw a switch.

The switch that would allow his train to enter the siding and allow the Amtrak California Zephyr to pass on the main line on its way to its final destination in Emeryville. He didn’t realize how much the heavy snow would slow him down.

The headline in the San Francisco Examiner read: “Brakeman only survivor in Amtrak train disaster.”

Large

Submitted to Travel With Intent. This week challenge is Large(est)

Photo Credit === Danny James

Photo taken in Vientiane Laos.

Reclining Buddha A reclining Buddha is an image that represents Buddha lying down and is a major iconographic theme in Buddhist art. It represents the historical Buddha during his last illness, about to enter the parinirvana. He is lying on his right side, his head resting on a cushion or relying on his right elbow, supporting his head with his hand.

Honey Don’t Flush

This post is written for Friday Fictioneers. The challenge is to write a complete story with a beginning, middle and end in 100 words or less. My story follows the picture prompt below.

PHOTO PROMPT © Trish Nankivell

The big event was in full swing and everyone was having a wonderful time. Stories were being shared. Friends they had know for the last fifty years and longer were there to help celebrate their fifty years of marriage.

They had their ups and downs but what couple doesn’t who stays together that long. In fact their marriage has lasted longer than their children’s marriages.

“What’s the secret to a long marriage”, asked his best friend David. “Those famous three words.?”

He smiled to himself. “They have changed a little but the thought is still the same.”

Cabbage

RDP Tuesday cabbage

Photo Credit === Danny James

The local market was a colorful visual experience as well as a treat for the nose. The borders of the Central Europe are vague and irrational but the smell can identify certain regions. From across the street the smell of boiled cabbage and stale beer whiffed through the air. This must be Vienna!