Wednesday, 30 October 2019

REDUNDANCY - 100 word story

This week's Friday Fictioneers photo prompt made me think about preparing to go out to work. But what if your usual work pattern is changed against your will?
PHOTO PROMPT © Fatima Fakier Deria



REDUNDANCY


The day Roger faced redundancy he panicked. How could he tell his wife? He was sixty. Unemployable. How would they survive?
The following day he picked up the lunch his wife always made for him and 'went to work'.
Paralysed by shame, Roger continued the pattern.
Three months later he found his lunch containers empty. Roger sank into a chair, head in hands.
'Why didn't you tell me?' said his wife.
Roger groaned.
'Silly man, we'll be fine. You're going to work in the business I started last year.'
Roger looked at his wife in astonishment. She winked at him.

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.








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46 comments:

  1. Neil MacDonald30 October 2019 at 11:59

    A nice cautionary tale, Susan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames30 October 2019 at 15:33

      Thank you, Neil. It never pays to hide things from your spouse.

      Delete
  2. Rochelle Wisoff-Fields30 October 2019 at 12:06

    Dear Susan,

    How fortunate he is to have a smart and understanding wife. Your hopeful ending made me smile. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames30 October 2019 at 15:33

      Yes, he's a lucky man. Glad to know I made you smile.

      Delete
  3. Tannille30 October 2019 at 12:34

    Felt the poor man's shame. Your story reflected a growing problem with mature aged workers losing their job and finding new employment difficult. Glad there was happy ending.

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames30 October 2019 at 15:34

      Thanks, Tannille. I went for an upbeat ending - too much horrible stuff going on in the news at the moment.

      Delete
  4. Dale30 October 2019 at 16:53

    You'd think the hubby knew she had started a business... lucky for him!

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames30 October 2019 at 19:01

      I suppose he was too busy going out to work every day to know what she was doing.

      Delete
  5. Linda30 October 2019 at 17:36

    What a good wife :)

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    1. Susan A Eames30 October 2019 at 19:02

      Yes, they have a successful marriage!

      p.s. were you able to follow my notes on how to leave a blog signature?

      Delete
  6. Iain Kelly30 October 2019 at 19:22

    I'm intrigued to know what business she started last year. It's a difficult thing to go through, especially at his age, but he should have known not to go it alone.

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    1. Susan A Eames30 October 2019 at 20:02

      He he - I've no idea what her business is - I didn't get that far into the story. :)

      Delete
  7. Helen Laycock30 October 2019 at 20:13

    A problem shared is a problem halved!

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    1. Susan A Eames31 October 2019 at 08:35

      Yes, he should have shared his woes with her from the start. Thanks for commenting, Helen.

      Delete
  8. Birgit31 October 2019 at 01:53

    I love this! First, I thought he joined a strip club a la the Full Monty but it was a nice surprise. I have seen clients where they tried to hide it from their spouse and most were not happy and some divorced. More should read this short story

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames31 October 2019 at 08:36

      How sad. I think that must happen when couples don't fully 'get' each other. Thanks for the feedback, Birgit.

      Delete
  9. Jade Li31 October 2019 at 02:42

    I do love this story, Susan. You pack a lot of content into 100 words.

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  10. Darlene31 October 2019 at 07:56

    Once again, the woman saved the day! Love it.

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames31 October 2019 at 08:38

      He he - I suppose I could have written it the other way around, but I think men generally have more pride in being the bread winners, and feel more shame if they lose that role - even in this day and age.

      Delete
  11. theministryofshrawleywalks31 October 2019 at 08:09

    What a lovely tale, I wonder what her business is?

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames31 October 2019 at 08:39

      Thanks for the comment - I don't know what her business is either! :)

      Delete
  12. C. E. Ayr31 October 2019 at 10:38

    Hmm, a lot of secrets in this marriage.
    Nicely done, Susan

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames31 October 2019 at 16:22

      Secrets, yes, but also warmth and understanding, n'est-ce pas?

      Delete
  13. Keith's Ramblings31 October 2019 at 11:31

    He didn't tell her, she didn't tell him. Hopefully that will change in future. A great take Susan.

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    1. Susan A Eames31 October 2019 at 16:23

      Thanks, Keith - I think they've learnt a valuable lesson which should only strengthen what they already have.

      Delete
  14. liz young31 October 2019 at 12:57

    What business? I hope it's not something female and embarrassing for the old boy!

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames31 October 2019 at 16:24

      He he - how about an on-line dating business? :)

      Delete
  15. plaridel31 October 2019 at 19:33

    i guess it takes a man to accept 'charity' from his wife. :)

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    1. Susan A Eames31 October 2019 at 20:26

      She'll make him work for it! Thanks for commenting, Plaridel.

      Delete
  16. Solothefirst31 October 2019 at 19:39

    Ah I like a woman with a plan!
    He should have told her, silly man indeed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames31 October 2019 at 20:27

      Yes, he's lucky she's smart and understanding. :)

      Delete
  17. brudberg31 October 2019 at 21:17

    What a great future... for some being redundant at 60 means a nice severance package and early retirement though.

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames31 October 2019 at 21:32

      I guess they're still paying their mortgage. :) Thanks for commenting, Bjorn.

      Delete
  18. draliman1 November 2019 at 07:14

    Aw, all that time she's been sorting things out behind the scenes! Poor chap trotting off every day to sit in the park to wait for 5pm.

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames1 November 2019 at 09:12

      Yes, he should have come clean with her on day 1 - would have saved him all that worry.

      Delete
  19. Fatima Fakier1 November 2019 at 08:53

    Maybe he was too preoccupied with his own shame and unemployment issues to notice that his wife's business was doing well. Hopefully it works out.

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames1 November 2019 at 09:12

      Yes, it's easy to focus on one's own problems and fail to see the whole picture.

      Delete
  20. Dawn3 November 2019 at 03:37

    OMG...I wish I was married to Roger's wife! ;)

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  21. Woman Walks Max3 November 2019 at 14:43

    I could imagine poor Roger's fear and despondency. Loved the upbeat twist at the end. Well done.

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    1. Susan A Eames3 November 2019 at 15:58

      Thank you - I wanted this scenario to have a good outcome to cheer up my readers. :)

      Delete
  22. magarisa3 November 2019 at 14:44

    I really like where you took this prompt, Susan. The empty lunch containers were the perfect symbol for your story. Sounds like Roger's wife has been taking great care of him for years and will continue to do so.

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames3 November 2019 at 15:59

      Thanks, Magarisa - appreciate your feedback. :)

      Delete
  23. Nobbinmaug6 November 2019 at 17:51

    Now, he has to go work in his wife's clandestine brothel. I guess it's better than starving.

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames14 November 2019 at 18:42

      Ha ha - now that's a business I hadn't considered!

      Delete

Many thanks for commenting. I appreciate your feedback.

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