
It’s Wednesday, Denise‘s day to open the linkup for another Six Sentence Story gathering. This week’s word is “horizon”. These six sentences are being used to continue two 99 word stories of a young man who lives and works on his father’s ranch.
At the Table
“You know, Tom,” his dad said, catching him in a yawn across the dinner table, “You sure have been pushing yourself the last couple weeks.”
Tom looked at the hired hand, a young man called Prince, as he told his dad that he worked so hard because he wanted to wear himself out, wanted to be too tired to think or feel at the end of the day. Then he faced his father. “And if I do give in to what I’m thinking and feeling, least you’ll know I can work, that I ain’t soft.”
Liza drawled, “There’s trouble on the horizon,” her eyes darting around the table looking to see it, but her father and brother were both looking down, both suddenly busy with the food on their plates.
“My father hasn’t spoken to me in over five years,” Prince said.
Tom’s father paused, coughed, looked at Tom when he said, “That’s too bad, Prince; he should want to know that his son puts in a day’s work would make any man proud.”
It’s so hard sometimes for people to put how they feel into words…but the meanings are clear here nonetheless. (K)
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Thank you. (Thinking there’s a part 4?)
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Yes, I think so too.
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I certainly hope the story concludes with Tom and his dad on speaking terms again. Life is too short to hold grudges yet, many do and imo, much to their own detriment.
Good Six, D.
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Thank you, and yes grudges hurt the bearer.
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Sometimes dads can learn from the failings of other fathers. In the end, we all want acceptance for who we are. Well done.
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Thank you.
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Fathers and sons. . . .mothers and daughters….
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And siblings too!
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True, true.
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For some reason, getting a midwest, Plains states vibe… (blue and white checkerboard tablecloth, windows opening out to a covered porch and a too-distant horizon)
engaging, as always
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Yep, ya read right. Thank you.
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I like how you presented that broken relation between Prince and his father.
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Let’s hope Tom and his father do better.
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Kids…erma bombeck said children are a punishment for an early marriage…great six
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Bottom line, nothing difficult is easy, including raising children, including growing up.
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Superb Six. The kitchen table as a simple and functional object, yet used as a setting allows tensions to build and dramas unfold.
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Thank you. Yeah, round tables and circular firing squads can be tense.
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There is so much to be learned from conversations that take place at kitchen tables. It can be more than just a place to be nourished by the food eaten.
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I recall many a tense dinner table–well done!
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There’s something to be said for perspective. Maybe the hired hand will bring peace
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