Clive pitched forward as the wheel hit the curb. The mirror showed glitter behind him. Now his only glitter was left behind. Back when the bills were paid. A wife with a diamond ring, a lover in her shimmery red dress, a sparkly “Mom” on the memorial wreath.
Clive had run, beginning a new start. For what success? A dark apartment with candles for light, not glitter, and an unpaid electric bill.
Everything was quiet, except coffee perking on the gas stove and an earworm, “Silent Night,” A Star sparkled through the misty street lights, signaling Hope, a Gift for Christmas.
*********************
Friday Fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle https://rochellewisoff.com/ a 100-word story prompted by picture also by Rochelle – © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields For other stories from different perspectives visit the green frog on Rochelle home page.
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About oneta hayes
ABOUT ME
Hello. To various folks I am Neat’nee, Mom, Grandma Neta, Gramma, Aunt Neta, Aunt Noni, Aunt Neno, and Aunt Neto (lots of varieties from little nieces and nephews). To some I’m more like “Didn’t you used to be my teacher?” or “Don’t I know you from someplace?” To you, perhaps, I am a Fellow Blogger. Not “fellow” like a male or a guy, but “fellow” like a companion or an adventurer. I would choose to be Grandma Blogger, and have you pull up a chair, my website before you, while I tell you of some days of yore. I have experienced life much differently than most of you. It was and is a good life. I hope to share nuggets of appreciation for those who have gone before me and those who come after me. By necessity you are among those who come after me and I will tell you of those who came before. Once upon a time in a little house on a prairie - oops, change that lest I commit plagiarism - and change that “house on the prairie” to “dugout on the prairie.” So my story begins...
Sweet aroma 
At least he has coffee
Yes, coffee is good for those with no hope and for those with hope. I, however, do not like it. I think it is a comforting habit. Has anyone ever overdosed on coffee?
Nice passage: “The mirror showed glitter behind him. Now his only glitter was left behind.” I’m glad you left him a glimmer of hope for the future.
Unless one is determined to doubt, he can seldom go through Christmas without a glimmer of hope. Thanks for the comment, and May You Have a Blessed Hopeful Christmas.
You’re very welcome, Oneta, and Holiday Wishes back to you.
when you hit rock bottom, there’s only one way left but up. happy holidays! 🙂
We will give him a lift. And others as we meet them day by day. 😀
A sad story, since a break up and running away at Christmas is not nice for everyone concerned. You did leave a hopeful ending, good luck.
Have a Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for the holidays.
As long as he has hope, he will survive until better days. Thanks, James.
You paint the picture of loneliness and poverty very well.
Thank you. There is too much sadness and depression, often a result of bad choices. Would he have been in this situation had he not been lured by the shimmering red dress?
I’m fascinated by what your story hints of the reasons for Clive’s running. I hope he can meet Jesus and start to come to terms with his life.
Terms with his life and his wife. Yes, I did want to point out the result of bad choices. The good thing about Clive is that he is willing to wait and work.
I’m glad it ended on a positive note. Merry Christmas.
He is on his way up. As I commented to penny above, he is willing to wait and work. That’s good stuff.
A life unwisely lived, but I like the ending with the star and the hope! Merry Christmas, Oneta.
Thank you, Brenda. The Star often appears when one looks through the fog; fog that is often of our making. Christmas is upon us again. Have a great day.
A little bit of hope for him anyway. And he has coffee!
Coffee will beat alcohol any day if one’s goal is to move up.
My family is from K.C. Kansas, though, so we are Kansas Sunflowers, not Missouri Mules! 😂
But it’s hard not to recognize the Country Club Plaza that was a Christmas tradition to drive through every year to see the lights! Merry Christmas!
❤️&🙏, c.a.
p.s. In case the photo is from an online source, just to let you know, that IS K.C.’s Plaza. 😉
Interesting. I had no idea. It is copyrighted by Rochelle so I guess she must have been there. Merry Christmas to you and your kin.
Merry Christmas to you and the family Oneta. May the season bring joy snd happiness to you all.
It was enjoyable; as I hope yours was also. Have a peaceful and interesting 2022. Not too many things can fit under both peaceful and interesting. Your trip did so, didn’t it?
There is always hope. Hope you had a great Christmas Oneta and have a great new year as well!
Thank you. Hope to see you throughout the year.
There is a lovely note of hope at the end of your story.
I seldom or never leave anyone in despair if the character will just react the way I want him/her to. 😀