The thunderheads had been building for hours and as the first raindrops hit the windowpane I couldn’t stand it any longer and closed my eyes.
Building castles from the bricks of dreams I saw my princess once again. I forgot the reek of my depilated living; I forgot the dun nicotine-stained wallpapers; I forgot arthritis and my pangs of hunger.
We had planned a perfect life: in all its details down to the colors of our koi before you left.
I can’t blame you really really. When you talked about our castle, I only saw the lights from the casino.
The image looks like a dream, and so very far from the weather we are having at the moment. I cannot say my life is this dark, but I have to say that gambling addiction is a terrible disease.
Friday Fictioneers is a wonderful community, and I’m glad to be back writing a bit. It has been a bit hard to fit the prompt into my weekly schedule. Rochelle does a fantastic job keeping this community going, and I know the hard work that goes into keeping a community together. If you want to see more please click on the frog below.
May 27, 2020
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Like all addictions, it consumes everything else.
Gambling can be worse than drugs.
Welcome back, Bjorn. All that glitters may be radioactive
And the gold is poisonous
Thought provoking and beautifully done, Bjorn.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Thank you..
Ah, perceptions. Amazing things.
and disappointments
I really like how you pieced your story together. Your details make it shine. Gambling is one of the worst addictions, agreed.
Your froggie makes me smile.
I have found that the inclusion of details make it easier to write really short.
Beautifully written! I love the phrase “Building castles from the bricks of dreams.” That’s a line to be proud of.
Thank you
A lovely piece Bjorn, I imagined Koi in my tale too, slightly less well put together than yours I must add!!
Where there is a pond there has to be koi.
I wasn’t expecting that gut-wrenching last line!
Every dilapidated house is filled with broken dreams…
Casinos tend to look like a fantasy with all those lights. But there is an underbelly. A great take on the prompt.
The bank always wins
Lovely, Bjorn. Really evocative descriptions using sight, smell and touch. I was with your narrator in the bedsit as they regretted the lure of the casino. And by using such vivid descriptions of the actual world you pointed up the tawdry triviality of the casino. Well written. Kudos!
When I saw the picture I really wanted to describe something exactly opposite…
Dear Björn,
As always, you’ve said so much in few words. The ending is a sucker punch to the gut. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS thank you for your kind words re our community. It’s how I see it and I’m glad you’re a part of it whenever possible.
I love poetry and writing communities… and we have a wonderful one over at dVerse as well.. with many writers visiting both…
How easily and insidiously addiction can steal our dreams.
Addiction is born from dreams, but they also consume them.
It could have been a wonderful life, if only…. A sorry tale indeed.
Addiction has ruined many lives.
Enslavement to a dissolute lifestyle cost him everything
It often does.
Beautifully written, Björn. Addition of all sorts ruin everything, don’t they?
Yes… I think addiction of all kinds can be damaging…
regrets always come in the end.
Yes… but regrets will only matter for your headstone.
Opposing perceptions are never good, especially when one is destructive. A sad tale of regret, so well written!
I wonder if there is any real regret yet… maybe more self-pity
Yes, self-pity rings true.
One of the great punch-lines, Bjorn.
Excellent.
Just about the worst addiction of all. Well written.
Seems like he still sees those lights even though there is nothing left.
Poignant.
gambling with love that is not good. Unlike your offering this week which I enjoyed
Excellent build-up to the crushing end.
What a sad story of a life ruined by a gambling addiction.
So much here. The battle goes on. Beautiful description of loss. It is a terrible addiction. An ongoing toll suffered.
A beautiful story, as always, Bjorn, although heart-breaking too. Great take on the picture.
-David
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