I pulled down the hood of my jacket, trying to keep my glasses free from rain. The wind from the harbor brought scents of mud and salt; far away the foghorn wailed.
I was late again.
The lure of warmth and booze pulled me into “The Ole Anchor”.
“The usual”, I blurted to the blonde barkeeper.
“Not today”, she said, glancing to my left.
I felt a small warm hand snuggling into mine…
My daughter Laura.
“Ma said, you’d be here”.
I sighed.
“What’s the rush sweetie, just one drink”.
“No Papa, we need money for potatoes and the rent”.
I saw the umbrellas and thought of rain in the town I grew up in. Definitely not a place for umbrellas though as they are quite incompatible with rain. I will try to be quicker in responding back this week, it’s been quite busy with a lot of poetry to be written.
Friday Fictioneers have simple rules, look at the picture, get a story from it and limit yourself to 100 word. Rochelle selects the picture and writes a story… visit and learn something about differences between British and American English.
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September 19, 2018
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Oh, that’s so sad….
Or maybe saved from sadness in the end.
Perhaps!
He would not be able to resist his daughter I would hope.
The bartender will see to that…
You captured this well, Bjorn
Thank you… I thought I would capture the mood by the weather
I liked the worldly-wise daughter, clearly her mother has brought her up well! Atmospheric writing.
I think the daughter knows what happens otherwise.
The way Papa said, “..Just one drink” gives the impression that he doesn’t even acknowledge the kind of trouble his family’s in.
I think everyone knows that there nothing like one drink
yes
How poignant it always is when the child is more mature than the adult. I’m glad that the barkeeper recognised and supported Laura. A beautifully crafted story, Bjorn.
I think that there is hope this week… it has to be.
I adore this poem. Especially the opening — the description of the hoodie and the rain.
Have you seen a show called Shameless? It’s my current addiction.
Oh, my point is that this guy reminds me of Frank, who is hopeless but so funny and smart. You can’t not love him, even though he’s horrible.
I think he is hopeless… but I think he is funny and smart if he just let the drinks be.
Dear Björn,
I’d say the bartender and his daughter have his number. Well constructed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
I think he will find an another bar at the next payday.
I hope he listens to her and goes home before starting in. Maybe the barkeep will help with that.
He will go home this day… there is always another payday.
Excellent deep piece, Bjorn, I love it
Thank you, I won’t say cheers.
Such a wise daughter.
Wise beyond her years.
Liked the last line. It’s so practical “money for potatoes and the rent”. And Laura seems like a conscience-keeper.
I think she need to care for practical… too common you have to grow up early with a father like this.
she was wise beyond her years. hopefully, he’d listen to her.
He will do it this day, but he will forget the next payday.
Nice twist. Drinking without buying food.
Alas too many men prioritize the wrong way.
Some children are forced to grow before their time. Nicely done.
Thank you… alas too common for children having to grow up.
Very sad. Good thinking, sending the little one to bring him home.
It should not be needed though
Hope he doesn’t send off the daughter but goes home to buy potatoes and pay the rent!
I hope they go home together paying the rent and buy the potatoes.
Hopefully, he’ll listen to his daughter. It’s just a shame it needed her to persuade him.
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Yes! Our characters are one in the same, with just a tad difference. Maybe their upbringing, their dna, the woman they married, the jobs they had or lost. Anything and everything. Great comparison Bjorn, thank you.
So sad for Laura, she’s had to grow up quick with a father who struggles with addiction. Nicely told!
I have read of a real life story that is an exact replica of this!
I liked this little snippit of a story, Björn. And while it is complete in it’s own way, I was pulled through and could have read more.
A timeless story, that I enjoyed reading
ugh – this rings familiar… my dad used to drink..
hope you’re well björn – i figured i go and play today – smiles
An atmospheric story with engaging characters.
Very real. There have been a lot of dads who drank up the money. You painted the picture well.
Too many… and sometimes mothers too.
A great reason NOT to drink. Never worked for me. I had to steal the money away from Mom to pay the rent.
That was a real story Jelli… glad you did it.
I liked the ambush, and sending the daughter to avoid conflict – sneaky. A story that tells so much more than the words.
Let’s hope he can resist the pull of the pub next time. A familiar story for many, and very well written.
It’s a wise bartender who knows the stories of his regular customers and tries to help them, even when they don’t want help.
Drink has a lot to answer for.
This felt like an old Jimmy Buffet song going in(and that is high praise, margaritaville being one of the leading male fantasies in Florida, I think 😊)with the lone man going into the familiar bar to have fun and tie one on. But then the daughter appears out of nowhere and shocks us back into reality. Come to think of it, i dont remember any mention of the wife and kids in those songs…
A sad tale indeed, sounds like he’s in a slump and doesn’t know how to get out of it. A familiar tale
The knowing local bartender
It’s hard to think that people grow up in these situations. Sad, but a big part of people’s lives all the same.
Smart mama to send the kid. Who could say no? But also sad that she had to send the kid. Ah, life. Nicely done.
This has such a sensuous opening, the scents and sounds, it felt like a man at the end of hard day’s work looking for rest, and then you turned it into something else entirely. So well done.
Wow! This mom has all hands on deck. It’s a matter of survival, isn’t it. That little girl is growing up quick. Very well captured Björn. Loved it.
Pat
oh! Well that snags the heart!
Wow, well written. The plea and heartache here in her voice and little hand. I really like the way you told this Bjorn
Sometimes the children are wiser than the parents. And the barkeeper was good to not serve him anything.