Copyright J Hardy
I still miss Annie, in a way.
I’m told she’s unfriended me on Facebook… but I blocked her months ago.
We’d been friends from the cradle. She was my rock, my confidante, the person who could make everything right. I relied on her judgement.
“Too much,” said my mother.
“Fight your own corners,” urged my father.
After a string of failed friendships, unhappy love affairs, lost jobs and a broken engagement, finally the smoke began to clear.
It had seemed that Annie’s strength lay in putting out fires.
But then I understood she was in the business of starting them.
I dislike November – just sayin’. Still, one bright spot in the week is Friday Fictioneers, under the illustrious leadership of Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Onwards and upwards to the end of the year… 😦
castelsarrasin 
Very good. I loved the opening “in a way.” It sets the scene perfectly in 3 words.
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Thank you! 🙂
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I like the ending. It has a metaphorical edge.
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Thanks Reena.
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This sounds like a page from my youth, I remember that kind of a “friendship”. Nicely done.
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So do I. 😦 Inspired by a recent radio item on ‘toxic friendships’. Thanks for reading.
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Lucky to get away unscathed.
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Indeed.
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Oh a secret betrayer…
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It appears so.
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I loved the layers and metaphors in this. It is not uncommon to have the fire lit by the fireman and the same with her friend.
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How true. 🙂
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Full employment.
DJ
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Sounds toxic, yet a few people thrive on toxic, I am wondering if Annie will be refriended
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Some people do like to play those games. Thanks for reading.
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One minute you’re having tea and the next she’s burning down the neighborhood! I like the allegory. Well told.
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Thank you. Great photo!
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Dear Sandra,
Great metaphor. I’ve had a few Annie’s in my life. In fact I worked with one who had such a knack for stirring up the feces I quipped the day she was terminated, “Never has on person made so many so happy just by leaving.”
I love the dry delivery of you story. Annie is a good kind of person to ‘miss.’ Wonderfully written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I worked with one once. I’m ashamed, and puzzled, to admit that I didn’t put a stop to her antics any sooner than I eventually did.
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And thank you for your kind comments. 🙂
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Oh you know Annie too? She’s beautifully rendered here
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Seems many of us have an “Annie” then. 🙂
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Wow. You always succeed to say so much in these hundred words. Loved the last line.
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Thank you. And thank you for reading.
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Oho! A wonderful metaphor, that friend who seemed to specialize in putting out fires. Nice one.
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Thank you!
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Ooh, that Annie’s a bad ‘un! With friends like that…
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Indeed. 🙂
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Annie must not have had a life of her own. Or was constantly playing, “Let’s you and him fight.” Good thing your character finally did see the light.
Good story and well done. The only blip I saw was the “But then” in the last line, noticed because I’m editing my own writing now and my three most overused words are: and, but, then. Sigh! They sneak in everywhere.
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You think it would read better and still make sense without them? Personally, I try to avoid the use of the words ‘suddenly’ and ‘eventually’ which might amount to the same thing, and there weren’t enough words to permit ‘in the fullness of time’. Each to his own, I guess. Thanks for reading.
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You[‘re right. Adverbs are anathema, too, these days.
One famous writer & teacher (NYTimes Best-Selling etc.) who I’ve been following says we should never use “Then”. I can see it’s overused and in writing my “Nano” story I’m trying to watch it, but it does come in so handy — as opposed to constant short sentences, like:
“She took the flaming pot of oil off the stove. She dialed 911. She grabbed the fire extinguisher.”
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Personally, I don’t get too hung up on ‘vogue’ concepts about writing. I use whatever words balance the piece to my own eyes and ears. And I’d never link those sentences with ‘then’ anyway, but rather ‘Having taken the flaming pot of oil from the stove, she dialled 999 before grabbing the fire extinguisher.’ I’m also a great advocate for the use of a gerund where possible.
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I’m certain this is true of many a friendship even if we haven’ realised it yet.
Click to read my FFfAW!
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How true!
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Great interpretation of the prompt and excellent personal interplay between your protagonist and Annie. Once she got her life in order, Annie no longer fit.
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Thanks for reading James.
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Very well crafted story – I enjoyed it!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you, Susan.
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I love the way the prompt inspired such a good metaphor, that you used so effectively. A fire raiser masquerading as a firefighter, hidden by a smokescreen – nice work!
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Thanks, Penny.:)
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Oh, my word! This seems ot be based on a woman I used to know – we were very good friends until I realised what a ‘firestarter’ she was. Wonderfully done, Sandra – you managed to convery so much in so few words. Terrific
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There are a lot of Annie’s out there, it seems, Lynn. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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I’ve met a few people who seem to take pleasure in manipulation, of stirring the pot so they can stand back and watch the ensuing chaos. What a toxic way to live your life.
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Way too many “Annies” in this world. I think we all know at least one…
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If only for a brief period, until we see the light. Thanks for reading Dale.
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Wonderful story, I knew an Annie once.
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And you survived. 🙂
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I’m all the better for it I think Sandra. I learnt a lot. ☺
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A creative use of a the prompt Sandra, and a very relatable story to a lot of people!
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Thank you. Seems a while since I saw you on here.
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A really good way to take the prompt Sandra and skilfully written. People like Annie show the flaw in the expression “A friend in need is a friend in deed”. A friend who creates the need is really an enemy, much like friends who only turn up when they need something.
Bitter? Me?
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This was a fantastic read, Sandra. There are some people who ingratiate themselves into the lives of others and then try to keep themselves relevant using all possible ways. Your Annie was exactly that.
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Sounds like it took a while to discover the “real” Annie. Nice one!
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An arsonist wouldn’t be my shoice of friend either, but if Annie had unfriended me I’d be worried!
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Well, she is fire starter and fireman. I think I know her. I have had to unfriend the unfriendly at times.
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I guess i have been really lucky. I would have hated to have been betrayed thus.
Brilliant writing and i really love the title.
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Oh no… awful friend…
Best unfriended.
Great story Sandra
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This one works to a T. We can all relate. Annie’s abound.
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Jeepers, I remember people like Annie and they do cause havoc in the calm waters of life. Great story – easy to relate to. Thanks!
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A friend like Annie who needs an enemy..loved the twist at the end.
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I really like this metaphorical take on the picture. And a very good way of creating a character without the reader realising it. There are way too many Annies about alas.
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It seems there are a lit of people like Annie. Sadly it takes a while to smoke them out.
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Good story, Sandra.
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Like this a lot… almost like Münchausen by proxy…
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WOW Bjorn. Had to look up the meaning of “Münchausen by proxy” and you nailed it. Good job.
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Excellent writing, as usual, Sandra. What a shame when we think we know a person and actually don’t, having to give up what we considered a true friendship. —- Suzanne
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A very telling tale! I really liked this one a lot
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The last line tied up the story perfectly!
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I hope Anne was left behind early enough to give your narrator time to find a good job, have a wonderful love affair, and make some decent friends. So well told.
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Simply wonderful.
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