Every Friday writers from around the world contribute 100 word stories prompted by a photograph supplied by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields to Friday Fictioneers. Everyone is welcome to contribute and we love comments on our stories.
Copyright – Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Letters from Abroad
My sister’s letters home to Australia said nothing of a condemned building, a clapped out elevator, paint peeling walls and six flights of stairs reeking of urine.
Instead her letters told of a penthouse with views of the Seine, the breakthrough singing role, the riotous applause of her debut.
Gran constantly asked her for a programme. Mum begged for publicity shots of her Opera Star Daughter to wave like Dior perfume under the nose of her customers. I’m expected to bring back these sacred artefacts they have never received.
No doubt my sister will be very surprised to see me.
The Writers' Life 
All that deception about to be revealed! I love how this piece sets up for a climax just about to happen…
Thanks, Jessie. I think we can all guess what is about to happen.
True for so many emigrants, whether for selfish reasons or to protect families at home who are worried. Good read.
You’re right, Siobhan. There are many reasons why someone would send home letters that don’t tell the real truth.
Great story Karen, I loved the expectation of the sister opening the door to see her visitor. Very well done.
Thank you, Michael. She’s in for a shock.
A big one.
You are good Karen, really good. I enjoyed it so much. 🙂
Thank you so much for your kind comment, Sarah.
This is such a great story. Ah the tangled web we weave…..
Thanks for your comment, Subroto. A tangled web indeed…
Karen,
Good story this week. Yes, she’ll be surprised, but I have a feeling she could use a visitor right now.
All my best,
MG
You are probably right, MG. Initially it will be a shock for her.
Another GREAT story, Karen! What a wicked web we weave, when we practice to deceive… right? The desire to appear independent and successful trumps the truth. I’m with MG, sounds like she needs some love and support!
It’s a sad thing that people feel the need go to such measures. It could be worse if her sister hadn’t come for a surprise visit. Thank you for visiting me, Dawn.
Hopefully, her sister understands, and just gives her the hug she needs. I love your work, every week, Karen. 😉
You’ve made my day, Dawn. Thank you, from one of YOUR fans.
Well, you’ve made my day too! Thanks, Karen.
fantastic story, Karen. i can understand why someone would choose to make up stories instead of telling everyone back home about her shattered dreams. I’m glad though that her sister came for a visit. looks like she could use some help…
You’re right, KZ. It’s understandable, and a good thing her sister has arrived.
Sister’s always know 🙂
Thanks for seeing that, Carrie. I tried to suggest that the sister felt there was something wrong which is why she made the surprise visit. But the 100 words limit defeated me.
Ooh, busted. Good one.
Thanks, RE. I think this is a case where ‘busted’ turned out to be a good thing.
obviously, she doesn’t want the folks at home to worry. it’s nice of her to be discreet about her situation. i think the visitor should respect that as well.
I’m glad you saw that she didn’t want to worry her family, Plaridel. If the visiting sister thinks she is in any kind of danger I hope she will do whatever she can, even reveal the true circumstances, in order to help her.
Great story Karen, that hints at so much more going on in a background story. I love your sentence about … waving Dior perfume under the nose of customers… just beautiful.
Thanks for your comment, Maree. Sometimes the story is bigger than 100 words and I think this is one of them.
Karen, I think if someone wasn’t making it the way they’d hoped to they might do this so that no one they loved would be disappointed. How sad. Nicely done. Your descriptions were so good.
janet
I appreciate your visit and your comment, Janet.
So many layers to this story. Made me wonder about the visiting sister too, not to mention the back story to the other sister. Well done Karen.
That’s a really helpful comment, Sandra. Thanks. I’ve been wondering if there might be a bigger story to tell here.
Dear Karen,
I’ll add my comment to the ones already spoken. One of the best I’ve read. You’ve packed a complete novel into a hundred words. Perhaps the sister will welcome the chance to stop living a lie.
Shalom,
Rochelle
You’ve made me smile, Rochelle. If I wrote it as a novel I’d have to go to Paris on research. Mmm… Great idea.
Absolutely mind-blowing tale Karen!The web of lies we weave -the masks we wear-the pretense-heartbreaking yet sometimes it is the only thing that helps one cling on to life,to shattered hopes and the thing called life!Hopefully,her sister’s arrival will bring some relief-at least she won’t have to pretend with her.Love the depth in this 🙂
That was such a wonderful comment to receive, Atreyee. Thank you. Of course, you are right about the reasons we weave the lies, and you said it so well.
Another great piece, Karen!
Thanks so much for commenting, Shona.
Oops! You are going to be the whistle-blower. Simply and superbly done!
Thank you for your wonderful comment, Joyfulness.
Karen. Fabulous story. I love how you wove it towards the surprise greeting. I can already see her sister’s reaction. This gig is up. She is so busted!
Thanks, DCT. I can see her sister’s face, too. I didn’t have enough words to show the meeting, and I hoped I’d written the story in such a way the reader could see what would happen. I’m thrilled you have.
Surprised? She’ll go out of her mind! Suffering for the art or the lie. Super story. Rich in everything.
Yes, surprised is an understatement. Thanks for you kind comment, Kent.
Oh, poor thing. But she’ll be happy to share her situation with her sister once she’s over the shock. I hope she’s happy despite the squalor. Bohemian lifestyle is okay.
We do tend to romanticize the Bohemian lifestyle. I’ll have to think about whether the sister loves it or hates it. You’re right that either is possible.
Great story. I bet the visiting sister joins in the deception to protect the parents. ;>
Thanks for reading. I’ll have to think about what happens next. A longer story evolving perhaps…
So many times this is the end to a deceptive story… maybe itÍ„s good when it comes out in the light.
I agree, Bjorn. It must be hard knowing you’re deceiving the people who love you most.
Good read, Karen. This is quite realistic and this looks to be just the place you don’t want to ever end up in. Great take.
Thanks, Amy. You’re right it’s not a good place either find themselves.
Good story with good description that places us on the scene. I think we know how this will turn out. Hopefully, well for both.
Thanks for visiting, Patricia. Yes, I hope it turns out well for both of them, too.
Good story Karen. I bet her sister is going to be so surprised. Very well written I almost feel sorry for the sister who has been exaggerating the truth. What happens next? Love it. Nan 🙂
Thanks very much, Nan. I’ll have to write the rest to find out what happens.