This is a story for the flash fiction challenge, Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. We are given a photo prompt that is kindly photographed by our participants and approximately 75-175 words with which to create our stories. It’s fun and everyone is invited to participate. For more information, click HERE.
This week’s photo prompt is provided by Jade M. Wong. Thank you Jade!
Act of Faith
“Oh. It’s you. I might have guessed. Come in, Dave, come in.”
Dave shuffled past Father Joe into the presbytery. Joe wrinkled his nose.
“Would you like food first, or a bath?”
Dave blinked as his eyes adapted from the pitch-black night, but he said nothing. Father Joe sighed.
“Come into the kitchen, then. Bacon sandwich suit you?”
Dave grunted. Joe sighed, inaudibly. Dave had always been taciturn.
A tantalising aroma of frying bacon filled the kitchen.
“I expect you need a bed for the night?”
Dave nodded.
“Then you have a bath first.”
Dave scowled, but nodded again.
It was eleven o’clock before Dave was fed, bathed and arrayed in an old pair of Joe’s pyjamas.
“Will you say your rosary before you sleep? Would you like me to say it with you?”
Dave nodded. Father Joe recited the prayers in firm, compassionate tones. Dave mumbled. They prayed together, the father and his illegitimate son.
Word count 156
Autumn Leaves 
Dear Penny,
I was gobsmacked by that last line. Beautifully done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m delighted the reveal took you so much by surprise
Shalom
Penny xxx
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Surprising end that gives new meaning to the son’s reluctance in being there.
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Dear Jo
Thank you for reading and commenting. Yes, the last sentence means the whole relationship comes into question, doesn’t it?
With very best wishes
Penny
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Great ending Penny, put the seemingly kind Father in a whole new light. Well done.
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Very cleverly done. Not so much a punchline as a totally-unexpected-whack-over-the-head-line!
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Dear JSB
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m glad the twist startled you!
With very best wishes
Penny
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Well done! This was very well written and I could see these two, and their tentative connection, including some of the clues (in 20/20 hindsight) for the relationships of ‘father’ and ‘son’ that was more than the church-father one. Nice! BTW, I followed you to this new prompt and submitted one myself … Thanks for the tip! Na’ama
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Dear Na’ama
Thank you for reading and commenting. Well done picking up on the foreshadowing in the story!
With very best wishes
Penny
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Excellent ending. Prompted me to read the entire story again, and it made so much sense.
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Dear Anurag
Thank you for reading and for your kind comments. I’m glad re-reading the story brought further insight.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Father Joe must be applauded for not rejecting his son. He is feeding him and giving him a shelter. The story has this surprising twist in the end. Nicely done.
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Dear Abhijit
Thank you for reading and commenting. Father Joe is a strong, compassionate man who feels a great sense of responsibility towards his son.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Twist at the end.
Well expressed.
Queen In Quicksand – Anita
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Dear Anita
Thank you for reading and commenting.
With best wishes
Penny
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Looks like you surprised us all with that ending! Brilliant.
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Dear Keith
Thank you for reading and commenting. Yes, you’re right, the twist seems to have worked!
With best wishes
Penny
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Oh my, that last line! What a twist. And it just wrenches the heart.
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Dear Jade,
Thank you for reading and commenting. Yes, the relationship between Joe and Dave must be quite a troubled one.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Wow, what a powerful last line. I thought he was just being the Father of the congregation and had no clue until the end he was Fathering his own blood kin. Nice one!
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Like others have said – the last line…
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Dear Tannille
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m glad you found the last line striking.
With best wishes
Penny
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Wow! I wasn’t expecting that last line. I love that. For with that ending, you’ve thrown the past open for us, made me want to learn how it happened, where, under what circumstances. Was Father Joe a priest at the time of Dave’s conception? What’s Dave’s story? Is his mum still alive?
You spun a simple-seeming tale, then added that layer of dark complexity at the end to leave us with. Really great story Penny
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Oh, Lynn, what a wonderful compliment. I’m pink with pleasure! Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
With very best wishes
Penny
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My pleasure, Penny. I thought it was a great story with a lot of depth for such a short piece.
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I was reading through all the FFfAW posts, and I noticed you also thought this was a door to a church! Made me happy.
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