I don’t remember inviting you, she spoke with a chilly attitude. The little bothersome guest flew by, stinging a child, making her cry. Summer parties are really fun, as long as you don’t invite this one.
The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS June 13, 2026
“I didn’t realize how dark it was out here. I can’t make out where the boat is. I don’t have time to wait, I need to find it!”
He fell over something hard, but picked himself up and limped on. He would be at the boathouse soon. “I can see the boathouse, it must be inside.” Joe started running along even though his knee pained him. He had to get to the boat.
A car slid to a stop behind him, throwing up gravel on the roadside. They were in pursuit of Joe, and determined to find him before he got to the boat. They knew his getaway plan. It was confessed by his friend after they tortured him. They had to get him before he escaped.
Joe ran faster, he knew they were close behind. It all fell through at the end, all of it. He hoped Shaun was okay but he couldn’t think of him now. It was imperative he get away. The bag he carried seemed to weigh heavy on his shoulder, but there was no leaving it behind. He and Shaun risked their lives for this. The money was worth the risk. Poor thinking, poor planning, all came to a nasty conclusion when their scheme was revealed. This bag was his insurance. It wouldn’t save Shaun, but he hoped it would save him.
It was just a small con, but before they knew it, the game grew into a much bigger money maker than they dreamed. The only problem was the two young grifters chose the wrong mark. A “connected” mark. Their inexperience would be their demise.
That night their plans were discovered. Joe had hidden the bag of money outside the apartment. Shaun didn’t even know he’d done this, but Joe was the kind of friend known to take advantage, always hedging his bets, conning even his co-conspirator. Tonight Shaun phoned to say he thought something suspicious was going on and they should drop the scheme and take off before they saw real trouble.
Joe laughed it off, knowing he had backup hidden by the apartment. He had packed the money, a gun, and the boat keys there. He approached the bar where he was to meet Shaun. Before going inside he sneaked in the back to check what was going on. He saw Shaun restrained by the mark’s bodyguards. He knew Shaun’s suspicions were right, and he took off running.
The men in the car were close behind. Joe wasn’t going to make it. He ran down the steps and into the boathouse. There was nothing there. He didn’t have time to retrieve the gun. Joe didn’t have a thought for Shaun as the bullet entered his spine. Falling into the water, he barely felt the second bullet hit his heart. The bag was dragged from his shoulder. The men waited to see if Joe would resurface. When he didn’t, they left to finish off Shaun.
***
Fandango’s Flashback Friday — June 12th
“The hills so dry, so dense the underbrush, that where I pushed my way the giant hush was changed to soft explosion.”
***
Prosery: A View from the Hills
***
Inside the cottage with a rose bower
Stood a handsome man in the shower
He spent the day working the garden
Wanted to clean up and heard, “beg your pardon”
The man who had soap in his eyes
Couldn’t see so was unwise
And said “who?”
Without a clue
As the cottage maiden
Stepped in to sway him
Making his day when
They had a lay in.
***
Writing Prompts
Strolling into the castle with his usual swagger, a young man dressed in dungarees and shirt with an obscene photo of the old prophet, emblazoned in bright 3D print, led his fellow objectors in a loud protest.
***
Can You Tell A Story In…
I love movies, and Matt Damon and Tom Cruise:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/2798144353850782/?fs=e&fs=e
“So I got a new safety guy”😀
***
One-Liner Wednesday – You know you’re tired…
It of course, was the very best chocolate he could find for this thank you. He was thanking the latest lady he spent the night with. He thought of himself as a modern day lothario, only never harming, just enjoying a mutual attraction.
The problem was when lady number twelve went to share her chocolates with lady number thirty 😳.
***
Fandango’s Story Starter #250
Deciding on a perfect form
All caps or not, rhymes or not
I sit on my perfect spot
Always thinking outside the norm
Let’s begin with a problem had
A daily jumble makes me mad
A fake letter written as my response
I’m surprised at my impuissance
When seen under the actual one
Written by my friend in fun
An AI piece of writing there
Definitely not asked for and never my ware
I tried to find the author’s site
Trying to cause a blight
Of unasked for words with my personal facts
How do “they” extract my acts
How to demolish this intrusion
I only receive confusion
Unhelpful answers with that irritating helpful yes👍🏻 or no👎🏻
This mail “service” needs to go!
Unpunctuated
love sparkling waves
ocean gift, warm soft water
sea salt advantage
body floating bouyancy
vacation dreaming allowed
***
#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 68, It’s Vacation Time! 06/09/26
The Bag Lady 
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