Wednesday 24 October 2018

HOW TO SPEND A FORTUNE - 100 word story

After a bit of vagabonding, I'm ready for some more fiction writing. This week's Friday Fictioneer's photo prompt, prompted this story.


PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot



HOW TO SPEND A FORTUNE

When Edith won the lottery she was catatonic. The amount was so ridiculous she couldn't comprehend it and sat in her flat in a daze. Her little wrinkly eyes stared at nothing. She barely ate and her already tiny wizened body turned bony. Anyone who saw her was reminded of one of those hairless Sphynx cats.
She ignored the telephone and doorbell: she knew it was her greedy children.
A year later something in Edith clicked.
Five years after that Edith stood under the domed ceiling and sighed, satisfied that she'd spent her money wisely.
Her children thought otherwise.



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 try 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 able to find your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign in first. 



57 comments:

  1. Seems she's doing some vagabonding too

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  2. Replies
    1. Thank you, Neel. Always good to know when a story works. :)

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  3. Put your money in bricks and mortar they say - Edith certainly has!

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  4. Well done, Edith. It's quite a concept to think that you could win the lottery and but some massively expensive artwork or building and even blow your dough in one hit. Great idea.
    Best wishes,
    Rowena

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    1. Thanks, Rowena. I suppose this idea was prompted by the fact that if I ever won any amount of money I'd spend it on beautiful art (I think!). :)

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  5. I love this take on the prompt. Edith got her act together :)

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    1. Yes, it took her a while to get over her shock, but she got there in the end. Thanks for commenting, Linda.

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  6. Way to go, Edith! You won the money. You decide how to spend it!

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  7. I love the description of Edith in the year after winning, so well written, and totally believable! Glad she pulled herself out of it though. Great story.

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    1. Thanks for the feedback, Jennifer - always appreciated. :)

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  8. Does Edith live in South Carolina? Over a billion dollars is a lot to spend, though I would like to try. Nice story.

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    1. Why? Is that where this photo is from? I thought it looked like somewhere in Europe. :)

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  9. Good on her! Go! Spend your winnings!

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  10. A story of money well spent, well-written! Loved this. Jilly, Sugar on the Bee.

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    1. Thanks, Jilly - wouldn't it be nice if we could all spend our money on massive projects?

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  11. If she was happy then she had spent it wisely!

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    1. Yes, I think she was happy - unlike her children! :)

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  12. a wise decision. it'll be around long after she's gone. besides, it's her money. she can do whatever she wants with it.

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    1. Yes, much better than leaving it for her children to fritter away. :)

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  13. I initially thought that she spent it travelling but then I realised that she paid to build the whole thingamajig. If the kids are smart they should start worshipping her now.

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    1. Yes, they have some work to do with their mother now. :)

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  14. Dear Susan,

    They were Edith's winnings to spend, weren't they? Glad she snapped out of it and did something for herself. Nicely done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. Thanks, Rochelle. Personally, I think she made the right decision too. :)

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  15. Good that she spent her lottery winning the way she wanted. Glad she did not give it to her greedy children. Nice story.

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    1. Thanks, Abhijit - yes, better than giving it to her greedy children,

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  16. Replies
    1. Sometimes they need to be taught hard lessons! :)

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  17. Edith was a smart woman, she knew what she wanted. Love your take, Susan

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    1. Thank you, Piyali - always appreciate feedback!

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  18. Well, its her money after all. Of course, her kids wouldn't understand. Parents and kids are built that way. :D

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    1. Maybe they'll come to terms with her decision. Thanks for the comment, Varad.

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  19. Thank you for the happy ending, Susan! Edith made an excellent choice.

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  20. Not that I haven't dreamed of winning the lottery or some such thing, but it seems to cause more stress than good in many cases. Glad she was able to unfreeze and do something she wanted with the money. Nicely written! =)

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    1. I've never done the lottery, Brenda, but I think I'd freeze too if I won a huge amount of money. :)

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  21. Yes, always important to follow our own dreams and whims. Thanks for commenting, Stuart.

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  22. It was hers to spend and spend it she did! Good for Edith

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    1. Yes, how very dare her children for trying to influence her! :)

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  23. Wonderful story!! I love that Edith did as she darn well pleased!!!

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    1. Thank you, Deborah - glad you liked the story. Appreciate your feedback. :)

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  24. I think the children has to take care of themselves... maybe there will be a nice set of grandchildren to funnel something to.

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    1. Yes, no one should rely on their parents! Thanks for commenting. :)

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  25. A great tale, I like to think its a library she's bought.

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  26. I think there'll always be unhappy people who know better when you win the lottery.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I must admit, I don't really approve of lotteries for all sorts of reasons.

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  27. I'm glad Edith's not letting her greedy kids get their hands on her money. Great take on the prompt!

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Many thanks for commenting. I appreciate your feedback.