Survivor?

65 Replies
rooftops

PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

Griffin stared across the rooftops to the distant city.

What is he thinking?

A single sheet of paper lay on top of the stacks of unopened bills.

Griffin’s shop was opening next week, but he was not invited back.

He was now redundant.

Months forced inside with no income had taken their toll.

I wish he’d speak.

The creditors had begun to call within a minute of the Governor reopening the state for business.

Griffin opened the seventh-floor window to let fresh air enter the stale apartment

I think that’s what he is doing.

He jumped before she could react.

***

Word count = 100

Friday Fictioneers is hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields.  This week’s prompt is here and uses a photo © Roger Bultot. Read more or join in by following the InLinkz “linky“.

*

Yep, I have been putting up a lot of light-hearted posts recently, full of beauty or comedy.  But not today ;)

65 thoughts on “Survivor?”

    1. trentpmcd Post author

      Very sad, and perhaps a glimpse of the future. I hope not, but… Someone pointed out that the first “thought” should have been in present tense. Maybe that would have cleared up that it wasn’t Griffin’s thought. I just changed it, so hopefully it doesn’t confuse too many more people.

      Like

      Reply ↓
  4. Na'ama Yehuda

    How sad, Trent. I know it was the reality for many after the stock market crashed to herald the Great Depression. I know some might be contemplating the worse now, too. Hopefully they will reach out for help, for there is plenty of it now. …

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    1. trentpmcd Post author

      I agree, it might seem hopeless, and as the new normal comes about, there may be many lost in the shuffle, but there are always resources. Maybe not enough resources,but at least something.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
    1. trentpmcd Post author

      I’m with you, I hope people don’t give up. It will end some day, but what will the new normal look like? The new world may be pretty grim for some. That’s the main idea of this story, that after months of lock down, the poor guy had no new world to return to.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
  8. msjadeli

    There are many exactly in this place right now. The government’s promise to tide people and small businesses over is taking it’s sweet time to show its face. The “help package” padded on a lot of pork to distribute to the fat cats. The only blessing in this mess is that it didn’t come in the dead of winter. Trent, you’ve captured the feeling of hopelessness so well here. Anyone reading and feeling this way, seek a kind word and a gentle hug from someone.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    1. trentpmcd Post author

      There are so many lessons we could learn to make the “new normal”, which is coming, a better normal for all people, but I’m afraid that it will all go back to being slanted to favor those who need no more favors… I am much better off than most, so not too worried about my own future, but I am very worried about a lot of people in this country.

      Like

      Reply ↓
    1. trentpmcd Post author

      I hope so too, but I’m not super confident that the transition back to “normal” will be smooth, at least not for far too many people here “south of the border” (to you), where too many idiots think people should be happy and willing to die to put a few more dollars in a billionaire’s pocket…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
        1. trentpmcd Post author

          I do hope that the new normal is much more people-centric! Yes, a ton of idiots, and I think I have half of them as FaceBook friends ;) (well, a lot FB friends that get all of their info from Faux News).

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply ↓
            1. trentpmcd Post author

              Back during our 2016 election, I saw a lot of people post a link to an article (most likely written by a Russian spy ;) ) That said Snopes was bought out by the Democratic Party and is no longer a reliable source. Since then, links to Snopes don’t work – it is all fake news to them.

              Liked by 1 person

              Reply ↓
      1. trentpmcd Post author

        “Griffin’s” solution is not a very good one – as you say, it may make a bigger mark on the lives of those who remain than the actual events that led to it.

        Like

        Reply ↓
  10. bearmkwa

    I totally get it, man. All of us have had our “days” during this crisis. Daily, I watch Gov. Dewine’s briefing and weep. I’ve known Mike all my life, grew up with his kids. I can see the strain and fear in his eyes along with the frustration. We just have to get through, one bloody hour after another. I tried to respond to the call for workers at the hospital and was turned away because of my mild springtime asthma. Sigh… I just keep reminding myself that tomorrow will be better…and singing the song from “Annie”. (hugs and prayers)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    1. trentpmcd Post author

      It has been tough for everyone, though honestly, I am far better off than most and my life has undergone few changes. But I worry about what is going to happen to a lot of people as things start returning to “normal” and the world stops being quite as forgiving of late payments and such. It’s going to a be a tough few years coming up for far too many people…. Stay well and keep singing about the sun that’s going to come up… :)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
        1. trentpmcd Post author

          I have no idea why we have that so backwards in so much of our society. Perhaps enough people are appalled enough about that money first attitude that we will make some changes for the better as things go to the new normal. Or am I just a dreamer?

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply ↓
          1. Nobbinmaug

            I’m with you. Unfortunately, I think you’re a dreamer. My best friend is an essential worker because she’s a medical biller. She has to go to work every day because all these sick people need to be billed.

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply ↓
  14. ceayr

    I like how you built this, the tension mounting slowly, and the second voice is clever.
    (Although should the ‘was’ not be ‘is’ before ‘he thinking’?)
    As for the reality, we are all just hoping…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

Express Yourself

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s