The Carrot Ranch, June 10, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a new way to office. Has the office changed? Can we return to normal after big changes or time away? Go where the prompt leads!
Respond by June 15, 2021. Use the comment section to share, read, and be social. You may leave a link, pingback, or story in the comments. If you want to be published in the weekly collection, please use the form. Rules & Guidelines.
High Rise
The little kitchen table was still flanked by three mismatched chairs. ‘For Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear’ he used to say.
He imagined his daughter, all grown up now, sitting in a fancy leather swivel chair in a high-rise office building overlooking the city. Or he imagined she might even be in a director’s chair in one of the studios— more likely, creative as she was.
He made trips to the city. He couldn’t imagine her hunkered on a sidewalk.
But he looked. And worried that after all these years he wouldn’t even recognize his Baby Bear.
ShiftnShake 
Very poignant. Great take on the prompt, D.
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Thanks Doug.
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No words for that kind of loss. (K)
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Nope. The not knowing…
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The worst.
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Wonder why and how he lost touch with his daughter. Certainly hope she did not end up on the sidewalk. A very good story.
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The starter draft which was too long only said that she left for the city at fifteen. That couldn’t have ended well. He’s just holding onto hope here. Thank you.
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What a powerfully simple piece. I feel this. Wonderful writing.
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Thank you. This one had to get pared down, and that is almost always the right move.
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I hope he finds her in a swivel chair and not hunkered on the sidewalk – what a nightmare that would be for any parent.
A brief flash told with a depth of emotion. ‘Baby bear’ adds so much to that.
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Thank you Norah. Yep, it’s a sad tale, this one.
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Too many (real) similar stories. 😢
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Tough story. I see a father mourning a vanished daughter. There are worse places to be than hunkered on a sidewalk and I hope he doesn’t find his Baby Bear in one of them.
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Exactly. Which is why he desperately searches the streets.
Thanks.
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I hope he finds her somewhere much better than the sidewalk! I wonder what was the reason for the fallout. Great story, Avery
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Thank you.
I think she was just young and naive and ran off to the city and a point of no return.
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That does seem to be the case. You’re very welcome 🙂
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Such a nightmarish image, yet written with such deep compassion.
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Thanks Boss.
Such a bold move, that setting out of an extra chair.
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This one pulled on my heartstrings. Well written!
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Thank you. Yeah, that’s a hard place to be, not knowing.
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I also liked your story “Emptied.” I could really feel the catharsis in that one.
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Thanks again, I appreciate your comments.
Fortunately for me, neither are “my” stories, just playing with words in response to the prompt.
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Still powerful words 🙂
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