“You crazy? Thirty minutes?” asked Joe.
Martin scowled. “Ten dollars says so.”
If truth were told, he wasn’t that confident.
Three months back, he’d bet the guys she’d put out on the second date, but it had taken ten weeks to get into her pants.
Now he’d bet that she’d wait 30 minutes for him to show for their date, but after ten minutes she was looking itchy.
“Uh-oh”, said Billy, peeping round the corner. “I think she’s scored.”
As Annie wandered off with the Jones boy, Martin’s heart splintered slowly.
‘I sure can pick a heartless bitch,’ he muttered, kicking at a passing dog.
Three years ago this week since I first joined Friday Fictioneers with this offering. Very few people understood it, so no change there then. 🙂 Not too impressed with my submission for this third anniversary, but a second attempt in a different vein didn’t turn out any better so here you go! Thank you to Rochelle for her administrations, and congratulations on having your second book accepted by an agent. Congratulations due this week also to Claire Fuller; some great reviews there. You both make me feel very inadequate in such exalted company. 😦
Horrible boy!
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The pits! 🙂
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Dear Sandra,
Inadequate? Perish the thought? You’re one of my writing heroes. Those contest wins and publications are nothing to look down one’s nose at.
I can’t say I feel much sympathy for Martin. Perhaps if he’d been more of a boyfriend than a betting man…A good one, as always.
You were only a couple of months ahead of me. I started in April three years ago.
Sorry about the link snafu. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Awww thanks Rochelle. I thought you’d been with FF about the same time as me, and I’ve always enjoyed your contributions. Yes, Martin is an unlikeable boy, and I don’t think he’ll see the light any time soon. 😉
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Perhaps the Jones boy has a bit more to imm than the seemingly shallow Martin. Great dialogue – I’ve heard similar before.
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He looks like a better bet, for sure. Thanks for reading Patrick.
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A, boys that kiss and tell. Not a gentleman. I like a good antagonist.
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Thanks for reading. 🙂
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I second Rochelle – you’re one of my writing heroes too, Sandra – and this story goes to show why. Great characters, story and dialogue. I feel some sympathy for Martin; I reckon he might just be doing the betting do try and big himself up in front of Joe. Perhaps now though, he’ll have learnt that lesson.
Claire
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What a lovely comment Claire. Especially from you. I’m so pleased the way things are turning out for your book. One day I’ll be saying “I used to know Claire Fuller, you know”. 🙂
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Ha.. I think that Martin got exactly what he deserved.. pity that he didn’t seem to learn anything from it .. such a heartless boy. Good for Annie though
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Heartless is as heartless does. I think he’s met his match.
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Well, I hope he learned a lesson there. Well done, Sandra. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks Suzanne. 🙂
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Tough luck to Martin (not.) Your story is spot on, as usual, but not so your analysis of your writing ability. 🙂
janet
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Thanks Janet, good to have you in my corner. 🙂
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Congrats on three years, Sandra. I think you’ve captured the heart of a scoundrel here perfectly. The same type of man to play games like that with a woman is indeed the same type to kick a dog.
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Thanks Ken. The time has flown by. 🙂
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Dear Sandra,
I went back in time and read your “Shattered” story. I understood it from the first read and thought it was wonderfully ambiguous and jet very clear.
As for this week’s story, what a horrible boy, kicking that poor dog. That is one lucky girl, escaping the clutches of one sad excuse for a man.
Love you writing and hope you continue to delight us with your talent for many, many moons. 😉
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Aww thank you. And thanks for taking the time to read “Shattered”. It seems like such a long time since I wrote that.
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Somehow I think Annie is a lot smarter than Martin. Wonderful take on the prompt – not lacking in a thing. (Sounds like you’re going through one of those periods every writing goes through. This, too, will pass). Alicia
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Thanks Alicia. It’s all ups and downs in writing, but you just have to stick at it.
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Let me finish that thought – Periods of self-doubt
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That’ll teach you, Martin. Another little gem, Sandra. I so understand being one’s own harshest critic, but please banish any feelings of inadequacy immediately. You rock.
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Thanks Barbara for your encouragement. 🙂 Are you back home again now?
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HI Sandra, yes we are! Trip report on my blog should you be interested….
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I saw it, but I’m on a really slow connection and it wouldn’t load the photos, which is tantalising, as I can read the text. I’ll try again.
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I love your work and look forward to reading it every week. I enjoy writing that makes me think. And yours intrigues, it teases, it evokes feeling. All that is sublime. Looking forward to the next 3 years.
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Thank you Erin, I appreciate those thoughts.
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Dear Sandra, You’re anything but inadequate! One of the best writers I’ve ever had the luck to read! Enjoyable story this week too! Nan 🙂
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A lovely thing to say Nan. Thank you!
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I’d say ‘poor Martin’ but I think that arrogant little guy has a lot to learn before he grows up!
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Safe to say that he’s not in touch with his finer characteristics yet. And I wouldn’t hold my breath either. Thanks for reading Michael.
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I’m glad that kid loses all his bets… he sounds like a horrible person.
Happy Anniversary, I always love your stories !! 🙂
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Thanks Rachel, and thanks for reading.
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Guys like him are a dime a dozen. Fiercely told, Sandra, as your stories always are.
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Sadly true Honie. And thank you.
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I love your stories! Except, I wish he hadn’t kicked the dog 😦
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Well the way it went, Dawn, was that the first thought I had was “girl walking away”. Then when I’d finished it I realised the story didn’t link closely to the prompt so I put the dog in. And Martin being the character he was, what else would he do but kick it? Thanks for reading Dawn.
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LOL…yes…boo Martin!
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Dear Sandra,
Well I like it! And happy third anniversary too! I can’t say I’m a fan of Martin, but you’ve written a believable character indeed. If I had my druthers, all betting bastards like this character would be lonely for life. They don’t deserve girlfriends or wives (or mothers, for that matter).
Nice work.
All my best,
Marie Gail
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Thank you Marie Gail. I’ve met a few like Martin, but only briefly. 🙂
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You’ve conjured so much in those 100 words. Beautifully done.
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Thanks Karen! 🙂
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I always look forward to your writing – and you are usually one of the first ones I read (although it is true that you are usually one of the first ones to post, too – but never-the less)
😉
Randy
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Thanks Randy. I’ll take that as a compliment. 🙂
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Please do, because it is.
I repeat – I always look forward to your writing.
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i bet ten dollars martin can’t even pick a heartless bitch. three years? that’s an eternity in the blogging world. congrats!
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Thank you. Time has flown. 🙂
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Sandra, I agree with Rochelle and Claire. Your writing is consistently excellent! I really liked this little story and the irony in its conclusion. You made me chuckle at the typical clueless young males 🙂
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Thanks Jan, for the compliment and for reading. It’s good to see you back this week. You’re one I can always rely on for a good story. (Safe pair of hands, I call it. 🙂 )
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Dear Sandra,
It’s not that she’s heartless, rather, it’s that she’s smart. Great story to mark your third orbit around out bright FF sun.
Aloha,
Doug
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Thank you Doug, and thanks for taking the time to read my stuff over the past three years. You were one to comment on the very first, I remember.
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Serves him right for playing boys’ games with a girl’s affections.
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He’s got many more disappointments to come, I fear. Thanks for dropping by.
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Brilliant last line, I think he’s blaming the wrong person! I hope Annie has better luck with the Jones boy.
Reading it again, the line “Martin’s heart splintered slowly” does make me think he really liked her – hopefully this will teach him a lesson and help him grow up a bit.
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Ever the optimist! 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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That boy is far too full of himself. Serves him right! I, too, went back and read that first story, and I think I understood it. It’s painful in all it implies…
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Thanks for taking the trouble, and for commenting too. I appreciate it.
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but why kick the poor dog?
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Because it was there? Thanks for reading.
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Congrats on your 3 year anniversary, Sandra. I think your short stories are superb. 🙂
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Thank you! 🙂
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I actually feel sorry for these ridiculous boys. Very believable characters full of false bravado.
Very good!
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Thank you! 🙂
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3 years is impressive – and whilst you started well (I checked out the older post) – I like this one better 🙂
You capture that stupid teenage competitiveness and all-to-frequent ugly misogyny (that I think comes from not actually understanding that other people are actually people too).
Cheers
KT
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Thanks KT. And for reading the first post too.
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Everyone’s been pretty hard on Martin. It’s not uncommon for teenage boys to brag about their “conquests” in a competitive manner. I’m not saying that’s right, it’s just hormones gone wild.
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Too bad there’s no competition in kindness.
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Thanks for reading Russell. 🙂
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I wish someday i be as good as you are! Great story of a mischievous boy!
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Thank you. I appreciate your comment.
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We do tend to judge ourselves more harshly. You’ve written a brilliant vignette of a story.
It’s been a pleasure to read it.
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Many thanks!
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Poor dog. He was in the wrong place at the right time. The boy deserved it and Annie good on you. I’m only new Sandra but I’ve enjoyed all I’ve read of yours and look forward to much more.
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Thank you Irene. I hope you’ll stick around for three years too. 🙂
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That’s my plan. Time will tell. 🙂
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Your stories are SO far from inadequate, one must laugh at the notion, Sandra. And this story is wonderful. I like the simplicity of the story, while putting that unpleasant reality of how some men still see and treat women, right out there. Happy anniversary! I certainly look forward to your stories each time. 🙂
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Thank you Dawn. Three years have passed in a flash!
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Oh, don’t say you’re not impressed it’s adorable. That’s what he gets for gambling the feelings of others!
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You win some and you lose some. This one is definitely lost. 🙂
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Three years, wow. Congrats. Martin is no friend of mine. I’m betting he doesn’t have any real friends either. This is the story you wrote three years ago? What a great idea! It was worth repeating. 🙂
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No, the link took you to the first story. Thanks for reading Amy.
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Oh, got it. Thanks!
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I’m so happy Annie didn’t wait 30 minutes. Just like Martin to feel sorry for himself and kick a helpless dog.
Cheers to three years!
Ellesperth
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Yes, anyone’s fault but his own… 😉
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Sound to me like she waited 9 minutes too long. Congrats Sandra. Write on!
Be well, Tracey
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Thanks Tracey 🙂
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A great story Sandra good for Annie I say, she obviously got the measure of Martin. How you could ever feel inadequate I can’t imagine (funny but we both made similar comments) your writing is excellent, your stories always spot on.
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Thank you Dee, I appreciate that.
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This is a good story. The gambling motif is fun and it’s good to see the jerk get what he deserves. Excellent.
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Thanks for reading Perry. Cheers.
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Great story, Sandra. I’m glad she didn’t wait for him – he gets exactly what he deserves! 🙂
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He does indeed. Thank you.
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Martin doesn’t exactly endear himself to us, does he? I’m not surprised Annie went off with the Jones boy. Excellent story, Sandra. 🙂
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Thanks Millie.
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A rather jaundiced view of humanity there, Sandra.
AnElephant heartily approves.
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🙂 Jaundiced? Or just long-suffering? 🙂
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Great exposition of the ‘double standard’. Your story has the ring of truth because unfortunately, it is true. 🙂
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I think in some cases you’re right Ann. Hope all is well with you.
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Hope all goes well with you, too. I’ve decided to have adventures rather than problems this year. 🙂
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Good luck with that then! 😉
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Ohhh. I hope Martin learns something from this. It’s good that his heart was splintered – shows he has some feeling. And how many young girls are the subject of such talk, I wonder? Probably plenty. A very powerful portrayal of the characters and the situation.
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Thank you Margaret. Perhaps all is not lost. 🙂
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