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4.4.18

AND BREATHE - a 100 word story for Friday Fictioneers


AND BREATHE

Dee hoisted Petey out of his high chair and smacked his nappy-padded bottom. He wasn’t hurt but it shocked him into taking a breath – when he held it that long it frightened her.

Petey grew into a self-willed teenager, ignoring Dee’s admonitions to stay away from the tidal pools, and his gang often bunked off school to go swimming.
One blustery day Martin misjudged his dive and the whirlpool dragged him down to certain death, but Petey took a deep breath and jumped after him.

The others counted two long minutes before he dragged Martin ashore, unconscious but alive.
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Dale Rogerson's photograph of lights made me think of whirlpools - such is my weird imagination! Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers on her blog https://rochellewisoff.com/  from whence you can follow the link to read more short stories and see what other writers made of the prompt.

36 comments:

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    1. It just goes to show that no talent, however odd, is wasted!

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  2. Petey got his practice in early. Nice take Lizy.

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  3. Dear Liz,

    It's nice to now that Petey's propensity for holding his breath saved a life. Well done. I love where your 'weird imagination' took you.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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  4. Petey's temper has its upside. Creative take on the prompt!

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  5. Great story. A strong will can be such a valuable asset!

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    1. My granddaughter doesn't hold her breath, thank goodness, but she's definitely got a mind of her own!

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  6. Wonderfully different take on the prompt, Liz. To think Petey's "talent" saved his friend...

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  7. Positive take on that terrifying breath-holding thing that some children do. Petey turns it into an asset and saves a life. Brilliant. Message from Jilly, Sugar on the Bee.

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    1. I count myself lucky that none of my four did that!

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  8. Brilliant photo choice. How lucky they both made it out alive.

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    1. One hopes Petey and his friends will be more careful in future, but somehow I doubt it.

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  9. I do see why the lights made you think of tidal pools. I must be odd too!

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    1. Thank you Patsy - I think all writers are a bit odd. Why else would we put ourselves up to be knocked down on a regular basis? :)

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  10. Great for Martin that Petey was there.

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  11. Not just a self-willed teenager but a hero. What a brave act, to go after his friend knowing how dangerous it was.

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  12. lucky for him to be alive. hopefully, he learned his lesson.

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  13. Even the worst of habits come in handy sometimes, and the 'worst' of people come good at times of need. Great story.

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    1. I wonder what other situations would need that particular talent?

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  14. He'd been in training for that day since babyhood :-)

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    1. He had - I wonder which of my own children's weird habits will come in handy one day?

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  15. You never know when you can put your weird talents to good use. Great take on the prompt, Liz.

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  16. Probably waiting for this moment since he was in nappies. Nice take on the prompt. I like your new blog template too.

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  17. Great little story, Liz. I like your unusual interpretation of the photo prompt. :)

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