image courtesy of Madison Woods
Although I really enjoyed reading everyone’s stories last week I must apologise for not commenting. I have a bad wrist at the moment and am keeping my typing to a minimum. I couldn’t resist joining in with this weeks prompt though.
The door creaks open and the bang-bang-bang of party poppers reverberates around the packed room.
‘Surprise! Happy Anniversary…’ Voices grow fainter, trail off, as Jenny stumbles into her living room, eyes glistening with tears. Streamers land at her feet, multi-coloured paper as shredded as her heart.
‘Congratulations,’ booms from the stereo but no one thinks to turn it off. The smell of hot sausage rolls wafts from the kitchen.
‘Mum?’ Rebecca doesn’t move. Can’t move. ‘Where’s Dad?’
The disco ball hanging in the middle of the lounge spins and spins, flashes of silver illuminating Jenny’s pale face.
She swallows hard. ‘There’s been an accident…’.
Written for Friday Fictioneers. A 100 word story inspired by a photo prompt. Read the other entries on host Rochelle’s blog.
fabricating fiction 
That’s a great conjunction of inappropriate bonhomie and grief. I’m still trying to figure out how you saw that in the prompt, but well done!
Thanks Neil. I’m out today and so wrote it on my phone. The picture wouldn’t enlarge but it looked like streamers/ribbons hanging from a tree?? It reminded me of party poppers.
Dear Louise,
What a tragic anniversary and a unique take on the prompt. Well written as always. I hope your wrist is on the mend.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks very much Rochelle – rest is the key but it’s hard!
Streamers of wire, such evil stuff, the accident, the assassination that started a world war.
Ah I see now! Thanks Mike.
Very different. Still tragedy evoked!
It did. Thanks for reading.
Another sad tale from the one who knows how to tell them. Nicely done with all the elements, smell, sounds, colours of a typical house party.
Thanks Mick. Having a break from scary.
Wow, that’s grim, but well written.
Thanks Paul.
Oh, man, I was right there in the room with this one. Wonderfully captured!
Thanks very much.
I particularly loved how you described that turning-point before the news really come crashing down. The image of the reflections passing over her face really deepens the story.
Thanks very much Bjorn. I could picture it very clearly but not always easy to get it across.
My heart hurt for this one. Good job
Thanks very much.
Yikes! What awful synchronicity. A well crafted tale blending joy and sorrow in a nice, bite-sized chunk. Nicely done, Louise.
Thanks very much.
i could feel my head spinning as i read. for a moment, i thought i became part of the story myself. well done.
Thanks!
There’s nothing worse than the moment when celebration turns to tragedy, and you captured that well. Great take on the prompt.
Thank you Sandra.
So terribly sad. The fact that it’s their anniversary party makes it more tragic, somehow.
Yes not very cheery this week!
Gosh, that’s sad. This was a very nice take on the prompt.
It was a bit but at least no one was murdered!
This is true.
Very well written. I didn’t expect the tragic ending.
If this is the way your mind thinks, I’m really looking forward to The Sister
Hehe – happy ever after – what’s that?
Such great scene setting 🙂
So well done…I could just picture the ever-deafening silence growing louder
Thanks very much Dale.
What a great contrast between the party atmosphere and the violent sadness that overwhelms it.
Thank you for reading.
A tragedy squared, the accident on their anniversary, what a sad twist. Excellent writing as always.
Much appreciated. Thank you.
You’ve really captured the juxtaposition of celebration and tragedy, Louise. Powerful writing! Feel better soon!
Thank you Dawn.
Nicely written, Louise. What horrible timing to learn of something tragic. I hope your wrist feels better!
Thanks Amy.
So sad!
Feel better soon.
Thank you Dawn.
Is there ever a good time to get bad news? But it shouldn’t have been then.
Great party atmosphere – bang-bang-bang!
Thanks very much Patrick.
A tragic tale well told. the contrast of the disco ball on Rebecca’s face was almost too painfully ironic to read.
Thank you so much.
Really good work, Louise.
Thanks very much.