So much to say
From Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch is this week’s challenge.
September 2, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story to the theme, “not everyone fits a prom dress.” You can take inspiration from Ellis Delaney’s song, the photo, or any spark of imagination. Who doesn’t fit and why? What is the tone? You can set the genre. Go where the prompt leads!
So much to say
The game started.
The boy was not good, but he wanted to play. Wanted to be liked.
For 20 minutes he never touched the ball. Even standing unguarded under the basket, no one passed him the ball.
When they took a break no one talked to the boy. He left and walked home.
No one called after him.
He didn’t cry.
The boy hugged his mom, lied that he had fun. No, he wasn’t hungry.
The boy walked to his room; laid down and opened a book he was reading about men and mice.
And that’s when he cried.
Michael B. Fishman
Michaelsfishbowl 
Wow, so sad…and little bit more than familiar.
Maybe MC found his True Home in Steinbeck, and other literary people, eh?
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That’s a good question and it’s possible.
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Such a poignant story, Michael. I can feel his pain of being ignored on the court. Never having been particularly blessed in the athletic department, I understand his desire to be accepted and hoping to contribute. I can also understand his escape (and release of tears) in his book, which is one that I recently read (sometime in the past couple years). Well done. ~nan
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Thanks, Nan!
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Michael, your story has much to say, especially about the power of books to allow us to connect to the feelings we hide deep inside. Every sentence was cut to the essence to carry a poignant and visual story. Well done!
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Thanks, Charli! Sometimes I think some 99 word stories are good jumping off points for longer stories, but this one left me feeling that there was nothing else to say about the character.
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What a mean team. Poor kid. But there’s books, mom, and Cat Stevens. Sports can be so icky for those that don’t fit in there. Well done.
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Thanks, D! Yeah, people can be mean sometimes 😦 but we can unmean the meanness.
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