Same Old, Same Old… Friday Fictioneers, December 2015

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Sandra
coffee_in_mirror_02-1

Copyright Jean L Hays

The doorbell jingled;  the Christmas fairy shifted on her perch to identify the newcomer.

“Good Christmas, Mabel?” said Joe, flopping down next to the woman nursing a cappuccino.

“Oh usual stuff, kids everywhere, noise, noise, noise.”

She’d spent the day alone, in bed.

“You?”

He sipped his espresso.

“Same old…relatives…turkey…booze.”

He’d shared his Christmas with a whisky bottle. That much was true.

“Was gonna ask if you wanted to come round.”

“Same here.  Glad you were sorted though.”

Both nodded.

Ten minutes later Mabel left, Joe ordered another coffee, and the fairy sighed.

You could lead the lonely to water – but hell would freeze over before they’d drink.

A very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year to all Friday Fictioneers.  Looking forward to seeing you all again, and probably some new faces too, in 2016.  Special thanks to Rochelle, for her patience, fortitude and leadership.  I hope the coming year brings you happiness, and as much success as this one, Rochelle. Mine’s a re-run – hope you don’t mind – I’m short on both time and inspiration right now.  Here’s hoping that will change for the better in 2016 too! 😉

About Sandra

I used to cruise the French waterways with my husband four or five months a year, and wrote fiction and poetry. Now I live on the beautiful Dorset coast, enjoying the luxury of being able to have a cat, cultivating an extensive garden and getting involved in the community. I still write fiction, but only when the spirit moves me - which isn't as often as before. I love animals, F1 motor racing, French bread and my husband, though not necessarily in that order.
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58 Responses to Same Old, Same Old… Friday Fictioneers, December 2015

  1. Dale says:
    December 30, 2015 at 9:51 am

    Oh so lonely indeed…

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  2. ceayr says:
    December 30, 2015 at 10:03 am

    I hadn’t seen this before, Sandra, and I think it is terrific.
    Painful, but sensitive, a sharp observation of the human condition.
    You have clearly been writing at this remarkable level for quite some time.
    All the best to you and yours for the coming year.

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    Reply
  3. patrickprinsloo says:
    December 30, 2015 at 10:41 am

    New to me too; not a piece one would easily forget – tears to the eyes etc. So true to the lives of some people.

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  4. rochellewisoff says:
    December 30, 2015 at 11:03 am

    Dear Sandra,

    I loved it then. I love it now.
    Thank you for all the magnificent support this past year. I look forward to another year.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Like

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  5. lingeringvisions by Dawn says:
    December 30, 2015 at 11:13 am

    I feel like I really should pay more attention!
    My new word for 2016 is Hopeful!
    Thank you Sandra 😉

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  6. Matthew Burgos says:
    December 30, 2015 at 11:55 am

    this is vivid and real — i hope everybody will disintegrate the fog. well-written. thank you!

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  7. MissTiffany says:
    December 30, 2015 at 4:03 pm

    Ah, I can feel the fairy’s frustration!

    Happy New Year, Sandra. Here’s to a wonderful and blessed year to come!

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  8. creatingahome says:
    December 30, 2015 at 6:09 pm

    We all try to hide what we really feel don’t we?
    Can’t say I blame them.
    Well written story.

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  9. joseph elon lillie says:
    December 30, 2015 at 10:20 pm

    Sigh…The lies we hide behind.

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  10. Tracey@WhatsforDinnerDoc.com says:
    December 31, 2015 at 12:24 am

    Definitely merits a re-run. Happy New Year

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  11. Dee says:
    December 31, 2015 at 10:19 am

    Loved it last time and same again this time. You capture the loneliness so well. Hope you’re managing to keep dry … Happy New Year.😀

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  12. Carol J Forrester says:
    December 31, 2015 at 1:37 pm

    I can feel my guts twisting for both of them. Poor Joe, poor Mabel. Stubbornness can be such a difficult thing.

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  13. draliman says:
    December 31, 2015 at 2:27 pm

    Quite sad and oh so true.

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    Reply
  14. rogershipp says:
    December 31, 2015 at 9:30 pm

    Some ships only pass in the night… what can a fairy do?

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  15. Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist says:
    January 1, 2016 at 5:53 am

    And they could have had such a lovely Christmas if only they could see what the fairy saw. Perhaps next year. Happy New Year Sandra.

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  16. Margaret says:
    January 1, 2016 at 10:50 am

    A sad little story of our times. Touching dialogue, and I like the voice of the fairy.

    Like

    Reply
  17. Keith's Ramblings says:
    January 1, 2016 at 11:19 am

    I’m sure this is a common situation. too proud to admit to loneliness.

    Visit Keith’s Ramblings!

    Like

    Reply
  18. plaridel says:
    January 1, 2016 at 8:05 pm

    well-written piece. next year will be different. joe’s coming out of the closet. 🙂

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  19. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) says:
    January 1, 2016 at 9:27 pm

    Christmas is worst for the lonely.. and the shame, the shame… i wonder how many lonely people are pass each other without really connecting.. so many lost opportunities.

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  20. liz young says:
    January 1, 2016 at 10:00 pm

    How dreadfully sad – but there’s a kind of shame in admitting you’re lonely.

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  21. rgayer55 says:
    January 2, 2016 at 1:43 pm

    You can rerun this one every year if you want. I never get tired of reading the punch line.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  22. The Reclining Gentleman says:
    January 3, 2016 at 12:59 pm

    Well written Sandra, it makes us wonder what really goes on behind closed doors

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  23. David Stewart says:
    January 3, 2016 at 7:27 pm

    Great story, Sandra, and hopefully you had a better Christmas than these two. It says a lot about human nature.

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  24. Bastet says:
    January 4, 2016 at 10:25 am

    Ah yes … sometime people hiding behind their veils of loneliness can’t see a friend even if they sit there drinking an espresso. Good one Sandra.

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  25. patriciaruthsusan says:
    January 4, 2016 at 2:48 pm

    It was new to me, Sandra. Well written as usual and very cute with that fairy. Happy New Year to you and yours. 🙂 — Suzanne

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    Reply
  26. Judee says:
    January 14, 2016 at 6:17 am

    Ha, so true, and a perfect example of how saving face really saves nothing at all.

    Like

    Reply

I'd love to hear your views; it reassures me I'm not talking to myself.

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