PHOTO PROMPT © C.E. Ayr
Lee spooned more beans into his mouth, the juice running down his stubbled chin. He cuffed it away with his palm. ‘Where you going?’
‘Nowhere,’ said Tim, nibbling the last of the bread he’d stolen from home.
Lee smelt bad, his clothes stained with ragged circles where something had spilt and dried. ‘Runaway?’
His eyes were small, crusted at the corners, but the kindest Tim had seen since he’d walked out a week before. Tim nodded.
Another freight train clunked past, the stink of diesel mixing with woodsmoke.
‘Want some advice?’ said Lee. ‘Go home while you still have one.’
Written for Rochelle Wisoff-Field’s Friday Fictioneers. See the photo and write a tale in 100 words or fewer. See here to join in and to read the other, terrific contributions.
Word Shamble 
I liked the use of “cuffed”. It conjured up such an image
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Thanks Neil! Glad that worked for you 🙂
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Best piece of advice ever.
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Thanks James! 🙂
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Sound advice from a voice of experience, although I wonder what he was running away from at home. Good stuff.
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Thanks Iain. I’m thinking it wasn’t too awful – usual teen / parent fall out. Hopefull he’ll take the advice and head on home. 🙂
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I wonder if he has a reason for leaving. Loved the post!
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Thank you! Nothing too awful I think – hopefully he’ll ring home and soon be back in his own bed. Thanks for reading 🙂
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Very wise advice!
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Thanks Louise 🙂
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Dear Lynn,
The last line sums it all up and ties the package with a bow. Beautiful piece.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much Rochelle for the lovely comment. Very much appreciated 🙂
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Great ending, Lynn. But also, a terrifically told story, too. Puts everything in perspective.
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Thank you! Let’s hope he takes that advice 🙂
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A fine all rounded story, I wonder did he go home.
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I think he probably did, Mike. I think his problems at home were ordinary teen ones that could be worked through. Thank you and thanks for reading 🙂
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You put the flash in flash fiction, Lynn. Seriously. I haven’t come across anyone who encapsulates as much story with so few words.
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Echo that, and I’m a converter/believer now, thanks to you both. Lee is the perfect name. And this is spot on. Great opener.
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Thank you Bill! Really glad it worked for you. Thanks for the lovely comment 🙂
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Ah, thank you so much, Walt! What a wonderful thing to say. They are very satisfying nuggets of story, the old flash 🙂 Thank you
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You conjured many emotions with the sounds and smells portrayed in your story. Well done.
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He bumped into the right person. I hope.
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Wise advice indeed. You always capture the tiny details that make up the magnificent whole. 🙂
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You leave me wondering whether he took the advice.
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To the point, in fact to the bare minimum point. You bring the flash in flash fiction. I second that. So much story packed into so few words. Entertainment as well as as enlightenment galore in your stories, Lynn.
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Beautiful writing and the best proof that appearances aren’t everything.
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Love that last line… I think that Lee speaks truth.
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I think you’re right Bjorn. Thank you 🙂
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You do have a fabulous knack with words, Lynn! Perfect advice given by one who would know…
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Thank you Dale! Yes, you’re right – the voice of experience and some serious regret speaking there. Thanks for reading 🙂
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Great advice from someone who seems to know what he’s talking about. You painted the picture brilliantly
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Thank you Michael, you’re very kind 🙂 Sadly, yes, the voice of hard won experience. Thank you
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Sound advice. At least he has a home to go to, unlike so many others.
…when I grow up! My tale.
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Very true. Let’s hope he makes the right decision. Thanks for reading 🙂
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I have finally exhausted all my superlatives.
This is as good as everything you write.
As Sandra wisely says, it is the detail that makes your stories so powerful.
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Ah, C, you’re so kind. Your comments always buoy me 🙂 Thank you
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Sage advice and great story telling.
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Thanks so much Tracey – thank you so much for reading 🙂
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Great advice! You never know when home is gone.
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Very true Ashley. We take these things for granted – until we lose them. Thanks for the kind comment and for reading 🙂
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Happens all too often – children getting lost or abandoned at stations. Felt terribly sad for Lee…
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Yes, I think that is Lee’s lot now and he’s resigned to it – as much as any human being can be. But let’s hope Tim makes it home 🙂
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Sound advice and great writing
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Thank you Siobhan – very kind
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Good advice.
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Thanks Dawn 🙂
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Very tight. Very well done. And I like the sentiment.
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Thanks Sascha. I think Tim’s starting to realise home is not as bad as he thought it was 🙂 Thanks for reading
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Sound advice. I hope he takes it. Great story.
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Thanks Clare, so do I 🙂
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