Welcome to Friday Fictioneers! We are a community of writers from around the world who post 100-word stories every week, based on a photo prompt from Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ blog. This week’s photo was taken by David Stewart. Thank you, David!
The Day We Decided to Adopt
by Jan Brown
We were photographing abandoned houses that day. My husband’s campaign for alderman was based on a promise to “clean up” the drug infested areas, and abandoned buildings were magnets for crack and heroin addicts.
A sad little boy came out of a vandalized doorway. He was holding a small box.
In the box was a kitten, tiny and perfect. Even my husband’s vast reserves of political phoniness melted at the sight of its big green eyes and furry little body. “Let’s adopt him,” he said, heading for the car with kitten in tow.
“Me too?” said the sad little boy.
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mezzojan 
Heart-wrenching last line. I love the phrase “political phoniness”.
Great story!
Thank you, Alistair!
Did they take him? A very emotive tale.
Yes, they do! Thank you for reading and commenting. S
Someone should tell the kid about politicians!
Good piece.
Yes, I suppose the little boy was too young to know better😀
Dear Jan,
Very sweet story. I’m assuming the husband was actually talking about the little boy…at least I hope so. Love this.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Both the kitten and the boy😀
Thank you, Rochelle!
Oh gosh, that was so moving.
Rosey Pinkerton’s blog
Thank you, Rosey!
Dear Jan,
Oh, what a wonderful story. Tugs at my heart and I’ve taken them both in. This is what storytellers do and you are among the best of them. Good job.
Aloha,
Doug
Thank you for the kind comment, Doug. I have to say your comments seem somewhat effusive this week, but I love the validation nevertheless. Mahalo!
What sweetness. Definitely heart tugging! I understand they took him in. Oh, very good. At last, a politician that means well. Great story, Jan.
Sometimes even politicians can’t help but act like actual human beings 😀
Loved this Jan. it may be your best one. Be sure to put it in your book.
😃😃Thank you, Dawn!😃😃
Oh my…so much heartbreak in those two words. Well done.
Thank you, Erin!
I loved this. What a heart wrenching ending!
I’m glad you liked the story 😀
Wonderful story, Jan. It makes me sad to think how many there are out there like this.
janet
Yes, there are so many–too many. Thank you for reading and commenting, Janet.
Such a tender, sad story. The truth in it is the silent punch line. Beautiful, Jan.
Thank you, Dawn!
That was such a happy ending to the otherwise bleak situation. Great writing Jan.
That last line was a knife-twister, Jan. Terrific work.
Thank you, Sandra!
Beautiful story. Sadly, adopting little boys isn’t as easy as adopting kittens. I hope he, and others like him, got the help they needed.
Yes, adoption is a very long process. I’m glad the story resonated with you.
Very touching in terms of the boy and the kitten (and I am especially a sucker for kittens), but the other thing that struck me was the wife thinking “Even my husband’s vast reserves of political phoniness…” How profoundly sad, to think of your husband that way, or to have your wife think that way about you.
I imagine that the wife is being realistic, and a tad humorous, in her assessment of her husband, having seen him in action meeting voters, talking to reporters, raising funds and saying/doing whatever it takes to please the party bosses.
That’s a more positive way to look at – and I figure you know these people better than I do. 😉
😄😄😄