Copyright–Jan Wayne Fields
We’ve gathered together today in a small virtual restaurant in the suburb of a large city. Our hostess is gracious and talented author and artist Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. We’re here to discuss our original stories for the week as the Friday Fictioneers. The challenge for this group is for each of us to write a story with no more than 100 words. It’s supposed to have a beginning, middle, end, and follow the picture prompt for the week. This week’s prompt was supplied by Jan Wayne Fields. Thanks again Jan. The link for all other stories is as follows. Be sure to click on the little blue frog in the blue box: http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2015/01/14/9-january-2015/
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100 Words
NEW BEGINNINGS By P.S. Joshi
John had been laid off from his job at a restaurant downtown. Not one to give up, he took savings, rented space in a building, bought supplies, hired staff, and started his own restaurant.
The grand opening was scheduled for today. Everything depended on this business being a success. His wife was afraid. but tried not to show it. She was expecting their first child in several months.
He stood and looked out on the courtyard in back, waiting for the first customers. “This has to work,” he thought.
The front door opened and customers entered. “Table for four, please.”
Musings on Life & Experience 
Great ending! 🙂 I was hoping his new restaurant would be a success. 🙂
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Thanks, Joy. I love to write happy endings. I’m so glad you liked the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I did! 🙂
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Lovely ending there Suzanne. I was fearing the worst.
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Thanks Sandra. I wanted to give the guy a happy ending. He’d had a lot of trouble. I’m very pleased you liked the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Quite a chance to take with a little ‘un on the way. I was holding my breath until the first customers arrived!
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Thanks Ali. I think the was planning that move for a long time and thought it was now or never. I’m glad I succeeded getting the right tension so that you enjoyed the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I love success stories. Great ending.
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Thanks Yarnspinnerr. I love success stories also. I’m so glad you liked the story. I couldn’t resist giving it a happy ending. 🙂 — Suzanne
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🙂
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Character, plot, and setting – all in 100 words. Well done.
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Thanks Diana. I’m very glad you liked the story. Thanks for the encouragement. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Lay-offs can often be a blessing in disguise. Looks like John will succeed!
PS. (Minor crit) Remove period in the sentence “His wife was afraid but tried not to show it.”
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Thanks Caerlynn. You’re right. Sometimes we need a bit of a push. I’ll check that sentence again. 🙂 — Suzanne
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As we’re facing a new beginning during this year, your story struck a chord with me. So glad it had a happy ending. Hopefully ours will as well. But you did a great job conveying the tension and concern.
janet
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Thanks Janet. I also hope your “new beginning” will be successful. Thanks for the encouragement, and I’m very glad you liked the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Lovely ending! Such hope and optimism! 🙂
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Thanks Shilpa. I’m so glad you liked the story. I love happy endings. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Caerlynn above already caught the typo… good story with hints of a hopeful future.
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Thanks BrainRants, I’m so glad you liked the story. I’ll check that sentence. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Nice bit of tension leading to great relief. One only has to take the first step. Alicia
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Thanks Alicia. You’re right. That first step is necessary. I’m so glad I included the right amount of tension. Thanks for the encouragement. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
You did a wonderful job of setting the stage from first act to final curtain. I love a happy ending. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle. I’m so pleased you liked the story. Thanks for the encouragement. I love a happy ending also. 🙂 — Suzanne
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it looks promising. 😁
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Thanks Plaridel. I’m an optimist and will say it’ll be a great success. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Well, I sure hope they order a lot and tip well. And are followed by many more.
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Thanks Perry. I hope so too. I’m ever the optimist and will say they will, and that the business will be a great success. 🙂 — Suzanne
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It takes a lot of courage to step out into the unknown and take a risk. I hope he has a packed house.
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Thanks Russell. You’re right, it does take courage. I hope it’s packed also. I’ll be an optomist and say it will be. 🙂 — Suzanne
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A new beginning indeed. Often an apparent disaster serves to push a person out of a comfort zone and into the place he or she was born to be. An inspiring tale.
Marie Gail
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Thanks Marie Gail. You’re right; sometimes we need a push. I’m so glad you liked the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Good to be enterprising and have a backup plan. Nice story!
Lily
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Thanks Lily. Yes, it never hurts to be ready for something new. I’m so glad you liked the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Yes, the first day can be a little rough and pulse-pounding.
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Thanks Adam. I agree. 🙂 — Suzanne
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You’ve shown their nervousness very well. I’m glad they’re off to a good start.
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Thanks Marg. I’ll be an optimist and say it will be a success. Thanks for the encouragement, and I’m so glad you liked the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Aw. a great story, a great spin,and a great ending.
Bon apetit.
Randy
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Thanks Randy. I’m so glad you liked the story. I felt the man had been through so much he needed a happy ending. Besides, I like them myself. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Shall we book a reservation together there tonight? 😉
Randy
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I’ll be happy to virtually be there, Randy, and you can also come and bring others if you like. The more the merrier. 🙂 — Suzanne
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You really nailed the wife’s trepidation and John’s confidence in this, as well as hope for the future with those first diners. Well done.
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Thanks Sara Ann. I’m so glad you liked the story. Thanks for the encouragement. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Lovely ending there Suzanne. Full of hope and optimism.
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Thanks Subroto. I’m so very glad you liked the story. I thought he deserved a happy ending, and I like them too. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I love this take on the prompt… so many families face similar situations in today’s economy, and this is easy to relate to. I love their resourcefulness most of all… I bet their restaurant will be a smashing success!
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Thanks John Mark. I’m so very glad you liked the story. I know it’s hard for many families these days. I’m going to be optimistic also and say that it will be a big success. 🙂 — Suzanne
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And there I was fearing the worst, I should have known better. Lovely story Suzanne
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Thanks Dee. I thought he’d been through so much he deserved a happy ending. Besides, I love them myself. I’m so glad you liked the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I love your take on this one, Suzanne. It’s very original and hopeful. We see kind of sad picture that could be filled with fear, but you have painted a new possibilities with your story. Nicely done!
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Thanks Amy. I’m so glad you liked the story. I just love happy endings and thought he deserved one. Thanks for the encouragement. Sorry it took so long for me to answer you comment. I had computer problems. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I totally understand computer problems. I didn’t notice any delay, but thanks for being so considerate. 🙂
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Thanks, Amy. My cable connection wasn’t working so I had to buy a new piece of equipment to fix it. I don’t totally understand it either. My Photon plug-in took that time to go out also, so I had no connection to the internet. A whole day I dreaded how much email was building up. My laptop if also now telling me I need a new battery. It’s okay as long as I leave it plugged into the outlet. 🙂
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Glad you got it sorted out, Suzanne. Technology snags are a drag. 🙂
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Yes. The good thing is the part the man replaed seems like a better part than I had in the first place, so that’s great. 🙂
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Dear Suzanne,
Life is all about trusting and taking that first step, isn’t it. What a wonderful way to illustrate that. Well done.
Aloha,
Doug
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Thanks Doug. I agree that it is about taking the first step. I’m so pleased you liked the story. I’m sorry it took so long to answer your comment. I had computer problems. 🙂 — Suzanne
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