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 on your page. Link your story URL. Then the fun starts as you read other peoples’ stories and comment on them!
An apology to Rochelle. When I first accessed the prompt this morning, my computer didn’t give me Roger’s prompt, so I went with Rochelle’s photo.
Fresh Start
White, pinched faces. Clothes that had once been smart, now heavy with grime and the sweat of fear.
The older woman kept glancing apprehensively at the younger, seeking reassurance. She sat lop-sided, as if she had been injured and never quite recovered.
“You are from Armenia?” I suggested. I could only imagine what they had been through.
The two women exchanged glances, and then the younger nodded assent.
“I have friends who will take care of you, if you like. They will help you learn English.”
The younger spoke to her companion, who wept.
“Thank you, sir,” she answered.
Autumn Leaves 
Great descriptions of the women, saying just enough to hint at their situation without overdoing it
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What a lovely comment, Neil! Thank you so much.
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Everyone just needs that one moment, or person, to set them on the right track.
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Thank you for commenting, Iain. Sometimes a timely intervention can make all the difference.
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All we need is such empathy and humanity in this world.
Connection between hearts.
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Thank you for such a humane comment, Anita. I agree, the world would be much better if we had more empathy and love between people.
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Sadly, I fear that too many people are unaware of what the Armenians have suffered across time. Excellent description here of these two women. Just enough to let us know they had suffered, but survived.
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Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Linda. There have been far too many instances of genocide in human history.
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So many would have turned a blind eye, but not him, their good samaritan. A touching tale indeed.
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Thank you for your empathic comment, Keith. We need more people like him.
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Wonderful writing, Penny, which makes me very sad. The two women are lucky. These days we let refugees drown in the mediterranean…
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Thank you for your very kind comment, Gabi. We could do a great deal more to help refugees, I think.
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i suppose they were the lucky ones. not everybody was that fortunate.
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Thank you for your penetrating comment. Yes, they were lucky. Many died – millions if I remember correctly. It was a dreadful genocide.
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Nice story for the photo.
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Thank you for your kind comment, Athling. I’m glad you enjoyed the story.
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I’m glad he was paying attention. I’m glad the younger woman understood enough to convey the information to her elder. Delicate and sensitive storytelling, Penny.
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Thank you for your thoughtful comments, Jade. In my backstory the man was at the disembarkation of the boat with refugees to see if he and his friends could help any who looked particularly vulnerable.
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You’re welcome.
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It’s really sad, the horrors humans inflict on each other. The outcome needs to be personalised through stories to show people are individuals. Maybe then, collectively wars and genocide might end.
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Dear Tannille, I couldn’t agree with you more. Thank you for your thoughtful and empathic comment.
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Dear Penny,
So much said in a few words. At least these two found an empathetic soul to help them. The younger woman in the photo is my maternal grandmother who was indeed an immigrant.
Sorry about the prompt snafu. It would seem your facilitator forgot to post it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Thank you for your kind comment. I hope your grandmother hadn’t had too dreadful a time before arriving in the USA.
Thank you, too – in fact, a great big rousing cheer – for all you do in moderating Friday Fictioneers. It’s a super challenge and I’ve learned a lot from all the writers who respond to your weekly prompt.
Shalom
Penny
xx
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Lovely – as long as that person really is going to help and isn’t running something more insidious…
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Thank you for your inventive comment, Ali. In my back story, the man is going to help, but this is Friday Fictioneers and the man’s motives may indeed be murky.
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Penny,
We tend to lump them all together with the term refugees, but they each have a tale to tell of fear, suffering and wounds that will take a lifetime to heal. I’m glad these two have found a reprieve. Wonderfully written.
pax,
dora
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Dear Dora
Thank you for your thoughtful and compassionate response. You’re right – we do think of ‘refugees’ in the abstract, and probably we shouldn’t. As you say they each have a tale to tell, needs to be met and a richness and diversity they can bring to our culture.
Pax
Penny
xx
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Great story. really pulls the heartstrings. I, too, had that issue with the images this week. It wasn’t until I got on my computer that I got the other photos. That said, these pics within themselves are excellent prompts for inspiration. Love how you spun this tale.
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Dear Bear,
I love the compassion you bring to this group of writers. Thank you for commenting.
Best wishes
Penny
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Thanks, Penny. I have a very soft heart that truly cares for others.
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Very nice, Penny. Enjoyed that.
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Thank you for your kind comment, Bill. I’m glad you enjoyed the story.
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Those who come before us set the groundwork for those that follow.
They were blessed to have had someone extend a hand. A gentle
compassionate write, Penny. I loved it.
Isadora 😎
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Thank you for your warm-hearted comment, Isadora
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What is in the heart of humanity where evil does such things as drive the weaker from their homes.
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Thank you for your thought-provoking comment, James. That’s a big question you pose.
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I found you story astutely observed and moving, using just enough details to convey deeply felt feelings.
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What a lovely comment, Francine. Thank you for reading my story with empathy
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