Friday Fictioneers writing challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
The small notice stuck in a crack between the iron gate and the old concrete wall warned the water would be shut off if the bill was not paid within a few days. My Grandpa’s garden looked beautiful. An abundance of flowers and assorted edibles. I remember when this garden fed our family and most of the neighborhood. It was hard for Grandpa now to make ends meet on his meager Social Security check. After putting in so many years slaving away at that factory job, he had been laid off without pension.
Impressive small story. I’m amazed.
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Thank so much Dan ❤
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What a sad story and sadly, probably true for many. Great story Deborah!
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Thank You Joy! Yes I think it is true.
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So true for too many.
I picked up on the paper in the gate too. I’m glad to see I’m not the only one. 🙂
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Yes. Thank You.
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Instead of paper, I saw it as the sleeve of someone’s shirt. Funny how we all see different things! 🙂 Lovely, but sad story, and yes, played out daily.
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Yes well the shirt was interesting too. Thank You. And maybe the story might encourage people to lend a hand to others.
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Brings back angry memories. My father worked a union job for 25 years then was laid off. During this time the company was sold and the union would not pay a pension to any of the workers. Don’t know how they got out of it but my grandfather ended up in a trailer living off of his social security of $1100 a month and an extra $83 from the army for him being wounded in WWII.
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That should be grandfather throughout.
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I understand now, you had meant your grandfather and not your father. No worries.
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So many people are left without much financial security in their older years. I know your father and grandfather were not alone unfortunately. I hope someone helped the Grandpa in my story pay his water bill so he could keep his garden.
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Certainly a shame to work all those years and not receive a pension.
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Yes another reader stated this was too close to home. Unfortunately this happens and more often now.
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A sad tale. You’ve touched on a few deep issues here – nice distinction between the clearly hardworking and generous grandfather (feeding the neighbourhood) and the cold reality facing people once they are no longer productive.
Nicely done.
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Thank You. 🙂
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That’s very sad, especially after all he’s given to his community. Maybe they’ll rally round to help?
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I hope so. That would be the right thing to do. 🙂
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Dear Deborah,
First off, welcome to Friday Fictioneers. This exercise in brevity comes with a warning label. To quote the Eagles, “You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave.” 😉 Habit forming. This comes directly from the chief addict.
There, that having been said. Your story is poignant, pointed and painfully true to life. Well done. I look forward to reading more from you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank You Rochelle. I think I could get addicted to this type of writing. 🙂
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Cheque?
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Would you like to give Grandpa a check so he could keep his garden? That would be a nice thing to do. Oh and I think I just realized after checking with my husband. A bank check in America is spelled check. In England it is spelled cheque.(And my spell check has a red squiggly line under cheque.)
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Thanks Deborah. I didn’t realise that was an accepted USA/UK deviation; I thought it was just a typo: my bad!
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Such a sad story. You’d think that social insurance would at least cover water, heat and power… I hope someone helps.
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Yes. Or the community and family could pull together and come up with a sustainable solution.
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A sad reality for many. Well told.
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Thanks Kim. 🙂
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You’re welcome.
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Welcome to Friday Fictioneers! Sad story, but it has too often been a reality. Companies are sold and pensions go out the window. Beautifully written Deborah. —- Suzanne
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Thank You Suzanne! Yes it is a reality but I hope that his family and neighbors came help him. 🙂
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