Friday Fictioneers: Every Wednesday, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields hosts a photo prompt. The rules include maintaining (as near as possible) a 100 word fictional piece pertaining to the image. For more information, and to share your writings, please use this link.
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It had been his home for some years; it had been his love.
He’d neglected all else. His wife, his children; they’d all gone by the wayside.
They said he didn’t remember his own name toward the end.
It was a bit of an ugly mess. He’d given up washing. He’d given up worrying. He’d given up thinking.
He was a waste of a man, and yet! Here it was; his favourite photograph hanging on the funeral parlour wall.
The sign below it spoke with great profundity.
‘Here lies John who, after 45 years of living, had but one love.’
Carolyn Page
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The cute little guy above will take you to more authors…
ABC of Spirit Talk with Carolyn Page 
Awe. A man and his car. Great post!
Thank You, Deana…
A sad tale. Fiction though, as far I know. 😉
Awww! You have a stinky man too. 😆 He died from his obsession. You did great. 🙂
Thank You, Kim…
After reading your piece this morning (plus a number of others) I just had to join in… 😉
And yes, I’m sure he was very stinky…! 🙂
I bet he even had his meals on wheels
Smiling, Randy…. 🙂
You sure do have a great wit…! 😉
Wow, this guy really had some issues! Drove him to death, I guess. A sad story.
janet
Issues – Indeed, I guess he did at that…!
I’ve been hearing a lot of stories of families and individuals living in their cars recently. The image reminded of that. I do hope though, unlike John, they find a way out of their dilemma…!
BTW – That was a great, if not a sad ‘pun’: “drove him to death…!”
Thank You for your comment… 🙂
It’s sad when people have to live on their cars. I guess it’s a step up from being on the street but still not good. I couldn’t help the pun. 🙂
I’ve seen his car many times… parked at places like the library where you could catch some respite from life. A nice post.
Hey… thank you for putting my post on your wall of likes>>>>>>
You too, ehh… 😉
I can’t take all the credit. I have a widget that places those blogs whose posts I ‘like’ immediately upon my wall…. Your ‘post’ will slowly (but sadly and surely) be removed as I continue to ‘like’ other posts. It’s a nice (though short) accolade… 😉
This sounds like a story of unhealthy obsession. And if he died at 45, he must have worked himself to death. You told it wonderfully.
You are too kind, David… Thank You… 🙂
a sad story.. he’d neglected all else… i knew someone like him. but with a motorcycle.. and thankfully he realized that his wife & kid’s more important before too late. great story
It happens all the time, kz… powerful are some obsessions…!
true.. and oh i answered your tag and posted a second ago ^^ also nominated you for an award ^^
You did that wonderfully… 🙂
Thank You for the award… You are such a sweetheart…!
Oh! Nice to see you writing again! Sad story but love the end.
Thank You, Joe… You know what it’s like; busy, busy, busy…!
Nice to see you… 🙂
Cute story Carol 😉
Sometimes a car can actually become a great love – it does not disappoint. If it does you can fix it with a replacement spare. It takes you places, and while driving, you can forget about the world around you.
I could do with a love like that!!
Too true, Ghia… And all it asks is a little gas/petrol, and a little tlc in return…
Hmmmm; not a bad idea…! 😉
Hence my dream of owning my very own Ghia 😉
We’ll grow gracefully old together, me and him 😉
I do love cars but I most sincerely hope that no inanimate object ever holds my attention more than living creatures.
Indeed, Susan… Let’s hope we always know our priorities in this regard…
Too lonely, otherwise… 😉
Enjoyed this, well done.
Thank You, Sandra…. Glad you enjoyed.
You are so good with this
🙂
And you are way too kind; Thank You… 🙂
this was well written, Carolyn..and a sad one..
Yes, Padmini… very sad..
Your comment though, is very welcome..! 🙂
Nicely done … men and their cars, on the extreme side here, but rings true in a way …
Very extreme, Jamie… I hope…! 😉
Though I believe some can get a little ‘carried away’… 🙂
Very nice story Carolyn!
Thank You, Wally… Nice to see you… 🙂
I enjoy seeing where your imagination takes you. Well done!
Thank You, Kathy…
I generally just hold the pen and go for the ride… 😉
Brilliantly written piece of fiction. Yet, there is a harsh reality within. Too, many people, even families end up living in their car. You have a knack for writing awareness pieces. Thanks, Carolyn! xoxo
Thank You, Resa… xoxoxo
“Yet, there is a harsh reality within.” Indeed..!
So many do live in their cars. A very sad situation; one that is growing, unfortunately. Makes me feel very privileged…
Dear Carolyn, I also feel very privileged in this life. xoxoxo
Thank you for writing this piece. It should be in a TV ad for public awarness.
I love how the sign hung with “great profundity.” It perfectly stresses the emotion in the story.
Thank You for that. I was hoping it wasn’t ‘over the top’; yet I couldn’t help but say it.. 😉
That he once had a wife and kids makes his dissolution that much more tragic. Nicely done.
Indeed; too tragic. I’m reminded of so many visions of ‘homeless people’. Their lot must be so hard..!
Thank You for commenting.. 🙂
Well if you’re going to love an object a car is the best. It takes you places, it stays until you want it to go, and it provides shelter.
Who can argue with that… 😉
I’ll never understand guys and cars, hahaha. It seems so sad, though. Neglecting people who probably loved him for a car… makes me think. xx
Me too, though I appreciate that ‘some’ feel very strongly in regard to their ‘babies’… hopefully not to the extreme of ‘John’ though…!
xoxoxo
One thing about loving a car, they never get jealous when you look at other cars. You can even walk over and caress their fender if you–no anger, no cold shoulder. Still, there’s no excuse for poor hygiene.
Yes, Russell, I see your point; indeed, your points! They are major clues in regards understanding the male brain… 😉 I jest you not..! 🙂
And how do we know that cars don’t get jealous? Who can know the mind of an automobile?
Men and their cars…not sure I get all that but must have something to do with gender differences. Great post Carolyn! 🙂
The way I see it LuAnn, we get all gooey over fashion or babies, cooking, hairstyles, make-up and more; so perhaps a man and his car is just an opposite that makes us attract… 😉
I believe you’re right! 😉
well, not ALL men, but most. you’re right. well done.
Thank You, Rich; much appreciated… Viva la difference, I say..! 🙂
Obsession. Nicely penned. 🙂
Many Thanks…
I too enjoyed yours… 😉
his car? i think someone really love their cars just like that!
Yes, Sharmishtha, I believe some do… 😉
Oh well, there could be worse things… 🙂
indeed 🙂
It’s hard to know how people are, inside, sometimes…. a very psychological story…
Indeed, Pirate…! I enjoy stories that allow the reader to take their own journey within the journey, so to speak.
As you said: “It’s hard to know how people are, inside, sometimes…”
Dear Carolyn,
I’m so happy you’ve decided to join in. I enjoyed this piece on more than one level. There must’ve been a reason for his obsession. The last line is telling. One love and I’m guessing it wasn’t his wife. Well done.
shalom,
Rochelle
Thank You, Rochelle.
I’m so happy to join in. What a great bunch of folk you have on board..!
A great little story. I hope he was happy with his obsession. Sad to have neglected his wife and kids, though.
Obsessions generally do that – create neglect of other areas of life. Something I certainly have to be wary of since starting blogging. It’s so easy for that washing up to go unnoticed… and the fairies don’t visit this end of town, so there they can sit for hours… 😉
The ending makes it. I think that the last line is always the most important! Good job!
I guess he didn’t find that elusive sense of “content to just appreciate what’s mine.”
Or perhaps he did, though in the wrong quarters… 😉
He loved it although everyone else would easily deem it unlovable. A man and his car are sometimes a solid pair.
“A man and his car are sometimes a solid pair.” So I’ve learned over the years, Joe. Though any obsession can prove unwelcome; John’s obsession is perhaps more extreme than is common. Thank goodness.. 😉
Wonder if it’s the same John as the one in my letters a few years down the road, great story. 🙂
Indeed, Björn, indeed… What a sad ending that would be for your John. I’d like to think not, though. ‘Twould be just too sad… 😉
Well done. You made us care about this poor chap and his car. Great emotion and use of the prompt.
Hello Beth,
I feel I know you; I’ve seen many of your responses as I’ve visited other blogs.
Well done to you. The image is incredible; and to think it’s an ‘actual’ car just blows my mind. 😉
Thank You for caring; poor John needs all the love he can get..! 😉
What man won’t do for his car. I feel sad for him though. Nicely done, Carolyn.
Indeed, Amy. It’s like some men and their ‘shed’… You know: “I’ll just be in my shed if you need me..!” Never to be seen again..! 😉
Thank You for feeling sad.. 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
Quirky and innovative story. A nice epitaph to a life spent the way he wanted to spend it. Ron
Thank You, Ron.
The terms ‘quirky and innovative’ sound good to me; I’ll certainly run with that.. 😉
As to an ‘epitaph to a life spent the way he wanted to’: I hadn’t considered it in that light. And yet, the more I ponder it, the more I see your point. He did as he wanted; regardless of whether that was a positive or a negative…..
A sad end but some bonds like that mean more than anything to people.
One must wonder why? Obsessions are (as a rule) a cover for something missing in one’s life: Love, health, acceptance, etc. Your comment is very true; and would we remove the obsession without addressing the cause? I would hope not, and yet I also would hope that the cause could be found before, as in John’s case, he withdrew from those around him.. Sad..
A long time ago, I wrecked my husband’s truck. It was his first love and I feared our relationship was finished. He married me anyway. He forgave, but never forgot. I understand this story. 🙂
My goodness..! Your comment “He married me anyway” brought a ‘gulp’ from within. This must have been such a love for him that you were concerned for your future together.
I’m so pleased he was able to ‘move forward’ and, hopefully without resentment…. 😉
I hope his soul will rest in a better place and not obsessing over stuffs anymore…
What a lovely thought, Cristina… I do too… 🙂
That’s a well told tale of obsession – I love ‘waste of a man’, really powerful description.
Thank You, Trudy. Poor John, he missed out on a lot, I think… 😉
very touching. well done.
here – He’d given up washing. He’d given up worrying. He’d given up thinking. you can save words and combine to something lie “He’d given up washing, worrying, thinking.” repetition used up 6 extra words. then you can add more about his life.
Great suggestion, Rich; Thank You… 🙂
The photo prompt with a hundred word limit to accompany the photo is a wonderful idea. You’ve captured this fellow very succinctly and poignantly. Perhaps this car was not only his life but a way to avoid love.
Yes, Catherine; this is my first foray into the 100 word photo prompt, and I’ve enjoyed it tremendously. I can’t see myself participating every week; life is so very busy at the moment. However, I do enjoy this type of ‘fast fiction’ so I’ll definitely be doing more. Perhaps you too may feel inspired to join in..!
Indeed, I hear you. Poor John certainly had deeper problems. Love (or lack of it) is generally a good reason for ‘separating behaviours’ to take hold..
Thank you so much for your comment… 🙂
sometimes it is hard to understand the actions a person decides to take up for the rest of their life…is it mental illness, fear or what? and for family and love ones, it is difficult also because how do you help someone when they do not want help. great story to ponder upon.
You’ve opened so many avenues by which John may have meandered. Yes, it’s a difficult situation when someone chooses this behaviour. Most men seem to understand this as a ‘black and white’ issue of a simple matter of love for an inanimate object. We women (or most) look for the deeper reasons; and I hesitate to say, I believe there is always a deeper reason. Though I will refute this should a male challenge me…! 🙂 (Without a leg to stand on, as it is written here plainly in black and white..) 😉
Thank You for your comment, and welcome; it’s been a while… 🙂
What a man! Very interesting character you built there. Ebenezor Scrooge meets Gollum! Nicely done.
Haha… that’s a happy twosome…! 🙂
Thank You for your great comment… I wish I’d thought of that.. 🙂
Well, I hope the car went to a good school, graduated with honors, married a nice girl, and made the guy very proud. Maybe it did! Interesting story.
Hahaha… Though not as interesting as your comment, Perry..! 🙂
I had to go back to the title and read fictitious several times before it really registered. What a great tale! I was ready to cry real tears for him. We saw one like him on our walk along a local bike path yesterday. He was camped out for the night under the trees with all his worldly goods around him. 😦 Great post Carolyn 🙂 Marsha
That would have to be the greatest critique ever. Thank You Marsha; though I’m sorry for the ‘near’ tears.!!!
Yes, it really is a sad tale for many. At least my ‘John’ had a car in which to live. So many suffer alone and without real shelter.
Thank You again…. 🙂
Wow, he must have been very lonely and sad and so messed up… hmmmm
and it’s a relief though that he will no longer continue more suffering…
Well wriiten Carol, you’re so brilliant! xoxo
And you are too, too sweet, dear Dolly… xoxoxo 🙂
It’s a guy thing, I believe, this love affair with a car. Love your take on this, Carolyn!
Certainly seems so, Maddie… I believe there are many ‘car widows’ out there… 😉
Hi Carolyn,a sensational article a lost man and his car.I used to think society has to do some thing for people like him ending with such a sad fate.He rejected life ,and life rejected him.Thank you for liking my post (Knowledge..Time ..Money) Sincerely jalal
Thank You, Jalal. Yes, it’s a sorry state for many, unfortunately…
I am 47 and have ‘but one love’ – my son. This is true. And considering where I’ve come from, it’s fine with me.
Love this, Carolyn 🙂
I can appreciate that completely, Noeleen… And boy, what a love….! 🙂
Doesn’t mean to say there won’t be another, one day…! Surprises are the spice of life; and life is meant for loving… 😉
love this post…
Thank You, Sriram… I truly appreciate this… 🙂
What an empty life!
http://www.anythingforhorseandrider.com
Indeed; sad… I’m glad he’s a fictitious character… 😉
So am I!! You are so funny!!
🙂