Every week, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (thank you, Rochelle!) hosts a flash fiction challenge, to write a complete story, based on a photoprompt, with a beginning, middle and end, in 100 words or less. Post it on your blog, and include the Photoprompt and Inlinkz (the blue frog) on your page. Link your story URL. Then the fun starts as you read other peoples’ stories and comment on them!
PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz
Promises, Promises
“Hank, I love you, hold me tight!”
“Sure, honey. Jus’ lemme finish this cigarette.”
Hank took two long drags, then crushed the butt beneath his heel. “Hey, look at the time!”
He climbed into the driver’s seat and turned the key. “Darn!”
He scanned the lifeless engine. “We’ll hitch. I’ll pick up the auto later.”
A couple months later when she missed her second period, Lois spoke to Hank.
“The baby must be yours; I h’aint been with nobody else.”
“Don’t worry, kid. I got this great new job in Seattle. I’ll call you when I gotta place for us.”
Autumn Leaves 
I don’t think Hank’s entirely trustworthy
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Neither do I!
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I wouldn’t hold my breath for his call. At all. Nicely done, Penny.
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Dear Sandra
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m sure you’d be right in not holding your breath! Poor Lois will have to cope on her own, I’m afraid.
With very best wishes
Penny
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She’s not going to get that call any more than she got that hug. Poor woman.
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Dear Notestowomen,
Thank you for reading and commenting. You’re quite right; Hank will disappear, and Lois will be left to raise the child on her own.
With best wishes
Penny
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She’ll never see him again. I hope she’s smart enough to know that.
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Dear Alice
Thank you for reading and commenting. I, too, hope she realises that he’s gone for good; given the human capacity for wishful thinking, though…
With very best wishes
Penny
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That’s entirely too likely.
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I think that’ll be the last she sees of Hank I’m afraid.
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Dear Iain
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m afraid you’re right – Hank will be off straightaway. Lois is probably lucky that he didn’t ‘borrow’ the train fare from her!
With best wishes
Penny
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Dear Penny,
An age old story told many times in many ways and in many places. Hank’s a man of the moment but definitely not of his word. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Thank you for reading and for your kind comments. Yes, Hank is not a man of his word. I hope Lois somehow finds the strength to be a successful single mom – there are many of them, and all credit to them.
Shalom
Penny
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Poor Lois, giving herself away to one not worthy of her… the cad…
She ain’t gonna see hide nor hair of ‘im…
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Dear Dale
Thank you for reading and commenting. You’re right; Lois won’t see Hank again. I hope she finds the strength to be a successful single mom; many do, and all credit to them.
With best wishes
Penny
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Hank’s gonna disappear faster than The Flash.
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Dear Anurag
Thank you for reading and commenting. You’re right; he’ll disappear very quickly. The fluency of his lying makes me suspect he’s done this before…
With best wishes
Penny
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Looks like we went in similar directions, and Hank is not much better than Bobby! Poor Lois.
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Dear Dawn
Thank you for reading and commenting. Hank and Bobby are definitely cut from the same cloth!
With best wishes
Penny
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Yeah right.. very well told!
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Dear Violet
Thank you for reading and commenting so kindly.
With best wishes
Penny
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He’s not gonna call, is he 😦
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Dear Ali
Thank you for reading and commenting. There’s about as much chance of Hank calling as there is of a polar bear snacking on a penguin…
With very best wishes
Penny
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He’s no good. She better keep track of where he goes to at least get child support.
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Dear Gabi
Thank you for reading and commenting. Alas, Lois doesn’t have Hank’s address in Seattle. Child support is most unlikely, I fear.
With best wishes
Penny
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Hmmm, not a good situation!
Ronda
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Dear Ronda
Thank you for reading and commenting. As you say, that’s not a good situation for Lois!
With very best wishes
Penny
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Like Hank, I am not sure I would trust her when she said those words.
“The baby must be yours; I h’aint been with nobody else.”
It kinda makes you think why did she said that as if she wasn’t sure.
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Dear James
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m interested in your take on the story. You’re right; Lois attempting to deceive Hank is certainly a possible reading of the story. In my mind, Lois could see the doubt in Hank’s face and was trying to convince him of something she knew to be true, but of course the reader is not bound by the writer’s opinion!
With very best wishes
Penny
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he said not to worry, so she had something to hold onto. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel
Thank you for reading and commenting. I fear that if Lois held onto that promise she was doomed to disappointment.
With best wishes
Penny
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Raising a kid on her own will be tough, but I’m sure it would be much better than raising one with a jerk like Hank!
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Dear Trent
Thank you for reading and commenting. I can’t see Hank changing diapers that’s for sure!
With very best wishes
Penny
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Ugh…pos dude, for sure.
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Dear Dawn
Thank you for reading and commenting. Yes, Hank is a selfish and deeply unpleasant person.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Hank doesn’t seem to be a trustworthy guy. I hope Lois understands this soon.
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Dear Kislaya
Thank you for reading and commenting. You’re right; Hank is not at all trustworthy. Wake up, Lois!
With very best wishes
Penny
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Hank never called her, did he? A nicely told story of human relation.
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Dear Abhijit
Thank you for reading and for your kind comment. No, Hank never called her…
With very best wishes
Penny
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You managed to paint a vivid picture in just few words, beautifully crafted.
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Dear Loré,
Thank you for reading and for commenting so kindly. I’m glad you felt the writing was vivid.
With very best wishes
Penny
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What a rascal Hank seems. Poor Lois. I feel so sorry for her. Good writing, Penny, as always. At the beginning I had images of Olivia Neutron-Bomb and John Travolta jostling for attention in that classic, You’re the one that I want, oh, oh, oh!
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Dear Kelvin
Thank you for reading and commenting so kindly. Yes, Lois wasn’t good at taking care of herself. Hank was an obvious wastrel. I’m tickled by your comparison with “You’re the one that I want.”
With very best wishes
Penny
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Dearest Penny
Glad my imagination tickled you.
Sincerely
Kelvin
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He’s getting out of town with no intention of coming back or sending for her because he’s a user. Too many of these types in our world. Sad story but wonderful storytelling!
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Dear Brenda
Thank you for reading and commenting so kindly. Yes, Hank is all take and no give, I’m afraid.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Oh, Lois, Lois! Why do women fall for trashy losers like this? Love how you summed up Hank’s character in that opening – “Sure, honey. Jus’ lemme finish this cigarette.” Well, if he can’t put his fag out for her …
Beautifully written and constructed as always Penny
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Dear Lynn
Thank you for reading and for your kind comments. I’m delighted that you liked the way I established Hank’s character with the cigarette. I must confess that I was quite pleased with it myself.
With very best wishes
Penny
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My pleasure. A cracking job, Penny, to achieve that in so few words
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Hank gorn. He ain’t not coming back.
You brought this story to life with your words.
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Dear Subroto
Thank you for reading and for your kind comments. I’m glad you felt that my words brought the story to life.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Right from the beginning, it’s obvious that Hank isn’t keen on spending much time with her. Why else would he insist on finishing his cigarette, and then comment immediately on how late it was?
Your story is a such a good example of showing rather than telling.
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Dear Magarisa
Thank you for reading and for your helpful comment. It’s good to know that my attempts at ‘show don’t tell’ are improving, and it’s very kind of you to say so.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Dear Penny,
I’m glad you found my comment helpful. It’s always a pleasure to read your writing.
Best wishes,
Mags
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This is really good. I’m jealous.
I’ll never understand guys like Hank. All I to find the right woman and have a couple kids.
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Dear Nobbinmaug
Thank you for reading and commenting so kindly. I’m blushing!
With very best wishes
Penny
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I think Hank is trying to escape a shotgun wedding, but Lois is better off without him I think…
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Dear Bjorn
You may well be right! Thank you for reading and commenting.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Hank is a louse. He won’t be back.
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Dear Linda
Louse is a good description of Hank. He’s gone for good!
With very best wishes
Penny
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Ut oh. I think that’s the last she’s seen of Hank, except for his DNA.
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She sounds a bit of an innocent and not good at choosing boyfriends. I don’t think Hank’s coming back. Nicely worked up to, you showed their characters in speech and action.
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Ooooo I dont think he’s gonna call. Great piece.
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Story of many lives in 100 words. Nicely written.
Visit mine @
https://trailbrooklane.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-car.html
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I don’t think I trust Hank too much! Great read.
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