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14.7.16

ASTRAY - a 100 word interquel.

This week's photo prompt was first posted two years ago on Rochelle's blog,  https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/ . If you'd like to read the story I wrote then you will find it in my archive for May 2014.
I almost used it again this week, as I had a cataract operation two days ago and my eyes are a bit strange, but instead you have more about Juan, whose story I wrote last week. It's neither sequel nor prequel - is there such a thing as an interquel?

ASTRAY

“Take it to policia,” Juan’s mother would have said, but he’d left home to escape her discipline – he sold the bracelet he found in the street. Later, broke and hungry, he stole a handbag, and soon he was a regular at the backstreet pawnshop.

Juan lived the high life until he fell ill – his woman took his wallet and left. Starving, his fevered hands botched the next robbery, and under the uncompromising regime of jail he yearned for his mother’s gentler discipline.

The moment he was free Juan scuttled home, settled down with the wife his mother chose, and raised sheep.

27 comments:

  1. Groan (at those comments)! I enjoyed the story though - and I like your new word: interquel - but think it would look better hyphenated. Ah, writers... :)

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    1. But sequel and prequel aren't hyphenated. Maybe inquel would be better? Writing about juan again was a copout anyway!

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    2. It's not inquest at least (though in this case I guess it could have been)

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  3. Mums do sometimes know best.

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    1. But often it takes a crisis to realise it.

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  4. Well at least he learned his lesson - hopefully for good :)

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    1. His mother and his wife will make sure of that!

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  5. Trusting mum's judgement doesn't seem to be the worst choice for him, since he can't trust his own. Nothing wrong with raising sheep.

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    1. Nothing wrong at all, as long as you don't choose an escapologist breed!

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  6. Ouch.. Yes if you rebel too much you have to go back with the tail between his legs... I can almost guess what kind of wife he got.

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    1. Hopefully the kind of wife he deserved!

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    1. I think he'll be content now to stay put.

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  8. I think Juan will finally rest easy with the sheep. It's a great ending to your tale, Liz.

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    1. Thanks Amy - Juan should have no trouble falling asleep, at least!

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  9. Dear Liz,

    I think Juan will be happier in the long run.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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  10. Geez, that is almost sad.

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    1. You think so? I think he's fianlly fallen on his feet!

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  11. Poor Juan. He could have saved himself from so much misery - but at least he'll have some good stories to tell his grandchildren. Or perhaps not. Terrific story - you packed so much into your hundred words.

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    1. Thanks Margirene - Juan will be fine until his own children start being naughty!

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  12. Good for Juan. He finally learned his mother's advice was right. Good writing, Liz. :) --- Suzanne

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    1. Now, if only my sons would listen to me ...

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