This summer has been a bit rough, leaving very little time or energy for much more than going to my “day” job. I hope to get back to more writing. It boosts my confidence and helps me forget evenings in retail for a while. I’ve tried and failed a few attempts to get any serious work done on my cozy mystery. But I’ll get there soon. I’ve slowly gotten together my main cast of small town Texas characters and now need to get on with the details of the homicide and ensuing investigation. 🙂
This week’s picture for Friday Fictioneers reminds that I’ve let another thing I enjoy immensely (my genealogy research) fall by the wayside with the drama and stress of the last couple of months. Hopefully I can get back to that as well. Enjoy the micro story!

PHOTO PROMPT – © Claire Fuller
Connections
Sally was so close to finding Barbara, the sister she’d not seen since third grade. She thought Barbara died. Mother wouldn’t talk about her. Grown-ups got quiet anytime Sally asked.
It was fifteen years before Sally discovered their father took Barbara when he lost parental rights. It took another year to figure out he’d dumped her at his grandmother’s house. He died shortly afterwards without telling anyone about his wife and other child. Now all Sally had was the grandmother’s name and hometown.
Heading into search Clarksville city records for information, she stared at the clerk with her face.
“Barbara?”
17 comments
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August 27, 2015 at 5:44 am
rochellewisoff
Dear Luna,
This is a such an uplifting tale. You’ve told so much story in a hundred words I feel that I’ve read a novel. I love the ending. Brava!
Shalom,
Rochelle
August 27, 2015 at 3:58 pm
lunasgathering
Thank you 🙂 What a wonderful compliment!
Keeping it to a hundred words usually makes the ending the most challenging part as I’ve used up the majority of my word count setting it up.
August 27, 2015 at 6:35 am
Rachel
Great story for such a short amount of words. I can see this going in many different directions.
August 27, 2015 at 3:59 pm
lunasgathering
Thanks! I may have to explore a few of them and expand the story. 🙂
August 27, 2015 at 6:51 am
Colline
She has a daunting task ahead of her.
August 27, 2015 at 4:01 pm
lunasgathering
Yes. Finding her will end up being the easy part. Reconnecting with a stranger is a battle all on its own.
August 27, 2015 at 7:46 am
Sandra
Such a lot in this piece – well done.
August 27, 2015 at 3:59 pm
lunasgathering
Thank you 🙂
August 28, 2015 at 2:05 am
Claire Fuller
That last word gave me the shivers (in a good way). What a wonderful story!
August 28, 2015 at 2:09 am
lunasgathering
Thank you! 😀
August 29, 2015 at 3:41 am
lingeringvisions by Dawn
I wonder of Barbara recognizes her as well.
August 29, 2015 at 3:51 am
lunasgathering
It’ll definitely be harder on Barbara since she wasn’t actively searching for her sister.
August 29, 2015 at 8:19 am
Dale
What a great stroke of luck. Now to get to know each other…
August 29, 2015 at 5:25 pm
lunasgathering
They have their whole lives ahead of them to be sisters again. 🙂
August 29, 2015 at 5:52 pm
Priceless Joy
This is excellent and the last word stimulates the emotion of joy and happiness. Great story!
August 29, 2015 at 6:09 pm
lunasgathering
Thank you! 🙂
Funny thing? The story might’ve had a different ending if I’d had more words to play with. Forcing it to stay on target brought out something I didn’t expect.
August 29, 2015 at 7:05 pm
Priceless Joy
Worked out great! Loved it!