Copyright J Hardy Carroll
Her father taught her to fight like a hell-cat; her mother was teaching her whoring, before Social Services intervened.
I taught her to read and write, telling her she could be the brightest and the best.
Down the line, probably at a price, someone polished, reinvented her, and covered her tracks so few knew her origins, and she remained tight-lipped.
I see her on television often. She’s cool and capable, as I knew she could be. And very, very powerful.
I’m not sure that anyone’s taught her to be happy.
Still, we did a good job, for the most part.
I can’t help thinking that given the time we had to think about this prompt photo, I should have come up with a better story. Still, it is what it is. Thanks to Rochelle, esteemed leader of Friday Fictioneers, especially for the extra time this week. 🙂
castelsarrasin 
That’s a powerful story in so few words.
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Thank you, Lata.
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Oh that is lovely, Sandra. I loved the mother who taught her whoring and the nobody teaching her to be happy
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Thanks Neil. 🙂
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Dear Sandra,
You underestimate yourself. You told a lot of story in a few words and left the reader withe something to ponder. To the world the young woman has arrived, but is she happy? Well done–as always.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS I must make sure that next week’s is scheduled for the correct day and time. 😉
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I thought I was seeing things when the email notification arrived. Or that I’d lost a day, which sometimes seems to happen. 🙂 Thanks, Rochelle.
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Sometimes the outer shell of the mustard seed conceals a tender heart, though it can be heard to tell. Well crafted character, Sandra.
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Thanks J, and also for the photo.
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Happiness or success, often it seems to be a choice between the two.
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I agree. Thanks for reading Iain.
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Sublimely brutal.
Brought the unloved Mrs Thatcher to mind.
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I’m sure Mrs Thatcher’s mother would be delighted to hear that, CE. 🙂 Thank you.
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It is, well, wonderful!
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Thanks Alicia. 🙂
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Terrific story, Sandra. Really hard hitting. For some reason it made me think of Hillary Clinton, although I’m sure there’s nothing like your story in her background…
Everything in your story is there for maximum effect. It’s wonderful how you pick the key thoughts and hammer them home. In a way, your story is as polished and brutal as your character – and that’s meant as praise!
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Thank you Penny, I appreciate your comments. I don’t know who I had in mind, but it could fit Hillary Clinton to a certain extent, apart from the family background. 🙂
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An intriguing title. So much has been done and so much progress has been made and yet it seems there is still a great deal of work to do to make her ‘whole’. A superb story, Sandra.
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Thanks Edith, glad you liked it.
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Your character is so real. Extremely well crafted, Sandra. I always enjoy your stories.
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Thank you! And I’m pleased that you visit.
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A very rich story in a few words. Wonder why she’s on television?
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Politician maybe? Presenter? Business tycoon… Thanks for visiting, James.
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I thought it might be someone like Ronda Rousey.
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There is something so special with a dandelion child who does well coming from the worst of situation… but the question of her happiness is something entirely different.
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Oh I love that… a dandelion child. I may have to borrow that description. Thanks, Bjorn.
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If you google it you would find that is a Swedish concept… children thriving under the worst of conditions
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it’s such a graphic choice of words. Love it.
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I agree… what a wonderful expression!
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Makes me so sad about her family background. She deserved to be happy too. I wonder if the ‘I’ is her teacher. I wonder how and at what price she became powerful.
This is brilliant Sandra( as always)
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Thank you Moon. Yes, the I is meant to be her teacher.
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You kill me, Sandra. Every time you “diss” your own story, it turns out to be more than fabulous. This was so very well done.
So many famous people were brought up with hardships we cannot imagine. I do wonder how many have found happiness…
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I think I’m disappointed that I didn’t/couldn’t find another ‘voice’ given the time we had. Sometimes I feel the work is pretty same-y. I’m glad you enjoyed it though, and yes, we never know the hardships that have fashioned people into who they are today. Thanks for visiting.
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It didn’t feel same-y to me. I could point out other’s pieces that are variations on the same theme. Not your case!
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It’s plenty good, short notice or not.
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Thank you! I see you’ve revamped your website. Love it.
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Thanks.
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Sounds like a lot of people stepped in and helped her when she needed it. Good for her. A lot of pro athletes have a story like this one. A story well told!
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Thank you!
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So brilliantly told I thought it was going to turn out to be someone real! I suppose each reader forms an idea of who it might be. Very well done.
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Thanks for visiting, Jilly.
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Every one taught her the art of survival, but not that of being happy. However that is so much harder to achieve. Well done, Sandra!
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Thanks Sascha. Two for the price of one over at your place today! 🙂
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I love that the different elements each guide gave her led to her being what she became. It’s such a fundamental aspect of being human that is so often taken for granted. Lovely x
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Thanks for reading. 🙂
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That is such a powerful story, especially the teaching her to be happy part.
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Thank you! It’s often overlooked.
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I can only echo the other comments, for me you drew a strong character in so few words
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Many thanks, Mike.
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I like that one, Sandra. It has hope in it.
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Thank you! 🙂
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Nice one Sandra. Somehow this song came to mind https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYx1qhnaaQ0
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Lovely to hear that one again. And yes, I can see why. 🙂
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i don’t think success can make one happy, but it’s a good start.
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It is indeed.
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Your title says it all!
Think we cannot have everything in the seasons we want. As long as it is all there before your life ends!
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So true. Thanks for visiting.
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👍
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I don’t see how you could have come up with a better story – this one’s great!
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Thank you Liz. Glad you liked it.
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If you feel unsatisfied with the quality of your story it is because you set the bar so high, Sandra. Without a doubt there are only a handful of Fictioneers with the talent to match your contributions and yours is one I will always seek out when I have the time to looking at Friday Fictioneers. The lesser of your stories are still amongst the best out there. Judging by some of the comments, I am not alone in my opinion. 🙂
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That’s such a lovely comment, thank you. I’ve been doing Friday Fic for so long now that I’m frequently disappointed when I can’t come up with something that feels to be in a different style, for me anyway. But I’m glad you enjoy reading them, and thanks for visiting, as always.
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Ah, that’s terrific, Sandra. A life in so few words. You pick out just a few highs and lows but each spot on with their relevance. I’m sure there are a lot of people on TV and in film who share similiar tales.
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It seems sad to think she is successful yet could be hiding unhappiness.There are those who hide their pain well. She may be one of those. I liked the tone of the story. Very enjoyable, Sandra.
Have a wonderful Sunday …
Isadora 😎
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She learnt her lessons well but it is a sad tale when her school teacher realised no-one had thought to teach her happiness.
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Happiness can be fleeting. I hope she discovers, “Joy.” Beautiful story Sandra.
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I hope one day she can teach herself happiness. I’m sure it has to come within or something 🙂
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We are all the product of those who touched our lives. A good lesson to remember.
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I like that. She’s had some good people in her corner.
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I enjoyed your story but to be honest the last line seemed to water it down for me. I suppose I was expecting something more sinister.
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Well, if politics and/or acting don’t work out she can always go back to whoring.
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I’m touched by your story – so calmly told, about what shapes a person, about not making judgements about someone else based on their current appearance. Thought provoking and well told.
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I love this title and the resulting character. It’s a pity she hasn’t yet learnt to be happy, but as a work on progress, there’s still time.
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Well written, but I feel for her.
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