Wednesday 11 December 2019

HIS BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER - 100 word story

This week's Friday Fictioneers photo prompted a story about a man who doesn't know his capabilities... or lack of them.

PHOTO PROMPT © Mikhael Sublett



HIS BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER

Rodney decided that the best Christmas present he could give his wife was a new bathroom.
She had been banging on about it for twenty years.
He grabbed the opportunity while she was away visiting her sister.
'Better late than never,' thought Rodney as he enthusiastically swung his sledgehammer.
It took a surprisingly long time for Rodney to realise that he had bitten off more than he could chew. He hurriedly started phoning bathroom fitters.
Not one could possibly help him until the New Year.
Rodney surveyed his handiwork with a gulp. He was in an awful lot of trouble.


I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 


If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE


If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 


- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.


On a final note - I always attempt to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been redirected to your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign into wordpress first. 
Please check and amend your settings. Thanks.







50 comments:

  1. I'm sure when she sees his efforts her heart will fill with love for him that he undertook this for her, despite lacking the necessary skill or planning.

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    1. I agree, Neil. If they've been together for over 20 years I'm sure she knows what he's like.

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  2. Hope they have a second bathroom for the morning :)

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  3. Dear Susan,

    Rodney's heart was in the right place...his skill set...not so much. I hope she can see past the mess to the motive. Nicely done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. I think she might be used to his ineffectual efforts, although he's pushing it a bit with this one. :)

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  4. I'm sure this happens an awful lot... poor guy!

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    1. Some people just don't realise they can't do something... until they can't do it. :)

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  5. Oh dear! His wife is not going to be too happy.

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    1. No, he's got some fast talking to do when she gets home. :)

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  6. Cute story, Susan, which I suspect may be inspired by something not quite fictitious?

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    1. He he - how perspicacious of you. The story is loosely based on a conversation I had with a friend only yesterday. :)

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  7. Ooops... Yeah, I know this does happen in real life.

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    1. It does, but hopefully not always a couple of weeks before Christmas. :)

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  8. Sounds a lot like my DIY experience - although I've never taken on a full bathroom! Maybe he could take her away for a romantic Christmas at a hotel instead! :-)

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    1. He he - I think he might have to do something like that, Iain.

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  9. The situation is now desperate, and becoming more so by the minute. How I could identify with this...

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    1. Oh no! I have friends with partners who aren't up to much in the DIY department which is what inspired this story.

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  10. Hoo boy. This one is close to home. I'm thankful we have a smaller bathroom. It's cramped, but things could be worse during this one-year-plus renovation of the larger one :)

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    1. Oh, that did make me laugh, Linda - but in sympathy, not unkindness! My friend's partner started work on their bathroom and eight years later it was still unfinished. Hopefully yours won't take that long.

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  11. That's my roommate. She always has these grand plans, and every one is messier than she thinks it'll be. That's why I didn't participate in Friday Fictioneers last week. She bought a new thermostat. She didn't realize we had to rewire the furnace in addition to the thermostat, which neither of us had any idea how to do. Thank Al Gore for YouTube. Then, the app didn't work right. We had to do a chat and go through troubleshooting. I put my foot down on trying to install new bathroom fans. We're going to have to cut into the ceiling. I'm not handy, but at least I know better than to embark on projects that are beyond my abilities.

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  12. Oh oh ... Hopefully he has some savings to take her away someplace nice while the bathroom is being 'renovated' for real ... and hopefully she knows he came from love and will forgive him (after all is said and done ... mostly done ... ;))

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    1. He'll have to figure something out, won't he? Thanks for commenting - and if you come back to read my reply I want you to know that I can't comment on your blog. Can you change your settings? :)

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  13. Look darling! A massive hole in the wall. Merry Christmas, I hope you enjoy it!

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  14. OMG! I would kill him. I guess his heart was in the right place though. A great story.

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    1. If she's put up with him for over twenty years she probably loves him enough to understand his intentions otherwise it will break them.

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  15. Teehee! I think most of us can relate to your story, Sue. My problem with DIY is measuring before I start - or rather, not measuring...I hope Rodney has his excuses ready!

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    1. Ah, preparation is key - and that includes measuring! I'd like to be a fly on the wall in the Rodney household when she comes home. :)

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  16. His heart is in the right place! I only hope they have a second bathroom to use while this one gets finished properly!

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  17. he tried and failed but it's not the end of the world. i'm sure she'll understand. :)

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    1. He he - I hope you're right. He's in for a rocky Christmas. :)

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  18. A lovely piece, thank you. Poor old Rodney, he's really in for it if the plumbing doesn't work over the holidays. This gave me a much-needed chuckle.

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    1. Thanks, Siobhan. (Yes, I need a chuckle too as feeling pretty devastated and depressed right now.)

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  19. Oh dear, the best of intentions gone wrong! Let's hope he can find a hotel to move into over Christmas.

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    1. I think we've all done things like this - but hopefully on a much smaller scale! Thanks for commenting, Keith.

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    1. He really did! Thanks for commenting Patsy. :)

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  21. Awww, poor Rodney. I hope there is more than one bathroom in the home. If not, you're right, he's in a world of hurt lol

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    1. I'm sure they'll find a temporary solution. Thanks for the comment, Jade.

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  22. I hope she has a forgiving nature!

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    1. I suspect she's used to his ineffectual attempts to do the right thing! :)

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  23. Rodney meant well, didn't he ? Hope his wife understands. The phrase 'Bitten off more than you can chew' comes to mind !

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  24. At least he was good intentioned and all that, but you know what they say about good intentions!

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  25. OOPS! Not such a good Christmas present after all.
    Great use of the phrase "banging on about it" in your story. How apt! :-)

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    1. He he - glad someone spotted that deliberate phrase! Thanks for the feedback, Magarisa. :)

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Many thanks for commenting. I appreciate your feedback.