Copyright: David Stewart
Here we are back for another week, gathered in a virtual park in a small town on an unusually warm day for late March. We’re here for another meeting of the Friday Fictioneers to discuss our original stories for the week. Our hostess for this gathering is the gracious and talented author and artist, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. The challenge for this group is 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 picture was supplied by David Stewart. Thanks, David. To read the other stories from group members, just follow the link provided below, and click on the little blue frog in the blue box.
The link for the other stories is as follows:
https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2015/03/25/27-march-2015/
Just a word extra–I recently, for a short time, had some of my Inbox mail going into Trash, if anyone wants to check their Trash as-well-as their Spam. I’ve also had it go into Spam in the past.
Genre: Humor Fiction
Word Count: 100 Words
BANDSTAND MEMORIES by P.S. Joshi
You know how you have these romantic memories about your youth? I had them until I went back for a visit to the town where I grew up.
The old park bandstand looked the same as when Rene Shimhalt and I walked there hand-in-hand, and I gave her her first kiss. At least, I thought so.
When talking to my best friend, Ernie, I found that not only he, but several other guys had beaten me to it.
Of course, that’s the past now since Rene and her husband, Bart, just celebrated their Tenth Wedding Anniversary and have three kids.
Musings on Life & Experience 
some memories are more like grandstand than bandstand memories… Randy
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Thanks, Randy. You’re right. Some memories are not the way it actually happened. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Yeah… The funny thing about memories is that you remember them like you want to, not necessarily like they actually happen. Although in this case he didn’t know, so nevermind. lol
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Thanks, Unwindthechaos. In his case he actually didn’t know, but he sure does now. He was better off not knowing. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Memories. His kiss might have made all the difference. Great walk down memory lane.
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Thanks, Alicia. I truly never thought of it that way. I’m so glad you liked the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Sometimes we subconsciously do this to block out the ugly truth.
But in his case he only knew after the re-visit…must have been as subtle as a brick.
Great story, and wonderfully written!
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Thanks, Francesca. Yes, that would really hit hard if it involved his ego, which apparently it had. I’m so glad you liked the story. Thanks for the encouragment. 😀 — Suzanne
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A story that we can all relate to. It reminds me of my first high school reunion. Reality was rather different from my memories.
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Thanks, Diana. I’ve never gone to a high school reunion. Only one or two who were my neighbors from that little class of about 100 kids has shown the slightest interest in keeping in contact. There were too many cliques and too much nastiness. It’s a shame that happens. Our memories sometimes really alter over the years. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Sometimes it’s best to just hold on to the memories and not go delving too deep, I’ve found.
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Thanks, Ali. I think you’re perfectly right. I’ve read, “You can’t go home again.” Maybe that should read, “You shouldn’t go home again.” 😀 — Suzanne
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Isn’t that the truth, doc!
Ellespeth
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😀
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Well, at least she didn’t kiss and tell. I remember kissing a girl who had little or no experience. She pressed herself so hard against my face that her teeth cut my lips–true story.
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Thanks, Russell. You’re right, she didn’t kiss and tell, but someone did. 🙂 Wow, Russell, that’s called animal magnatism. You drew her to you, literally. 😀 — Suzanne
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He’s still having a good time reliving his youth, even though his memories are being ‘adjusted’ a little. Nicely told.
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Thanks, Marg. You’re right. His ego was deflated a bit, but that won’t hurt him. I’m so glad you liked the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Hm, this shouldn’t have distracted from his enjoyment and memory of the kiss. Otherwise, serves him right for having his ego ruffled a bit. Great story about memories not quite matching the truth.
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Thanks, Gahlearner. I think it was mostly his ego that was hurt. He got over it quickly though, and was philosophical about it. I’m very glad you liked the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Memories. Some good, some sad, but all of them necessary.
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Thanks, Michael. Very true. We need to be aware of all our memories, and reconcile with the unpleasant ones. 🙂 — Suzanne
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And there goes the rose-tint from his view of his youth. Hopefully he doesn’t learn any more unpleasant truths. 🙂
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Thanks, A Fairy Mind. Well, I think all it really hurt was his ego. He seems to have moved on as has the girl. I hope he doesn’t find out things that will make his coming home in future uncomforable for him.— Suzanne
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so much for bragging rights. at least, he got to kiss the girl. 🙂
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Thanks, Plaridel. Yes, at least he got the kiss. 😀 — Suzanne
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Oh how silly we can be in youth… it’s easy to believe almost anything is true. With age, we become a bit wiser, and perhaps a bit more cynical as well. You’ve really captured that, Suzanne. Nice job!
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Thanks, Dawn. Yes, we learn with age. I’m so glad you enjoyed the story, and thanks for the encouragment, Dawn. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Always my pleasure, Suzanne. 🙂
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Dear Suzanne,
Apparently, he who kissed last, kissed best. 😉 I enjoyed the story, sweet and innocent like his memories.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle. I’m so glad you enjoyed the story. I enjoyed writing this. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Ahhh… memories. They’re funny like that, aren’t they?
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Thanks, Dale. Yes, memories can sometimes be changed by us. They are funny. I’m so glad you enjoyed the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Beautiful slice of memory…loved reading it.
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Thanks, Shivangi. I’m so glad you loved the story and enjoyed reading it. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I think sometimes you have to grow up and realise that reality changes. Rene made her choice.
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Thanks, Bjorn. You’re right. We have to accept facts and live with them. That’s part of growing up. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
You know how you write sentences that are questions and sometimes you forget to put a question mark at the end? Well, you’re first sentence is one of those.
Loved the story and the long slice of life. He’s lucky she had a lot of first kisses.
Aloha,
Doug
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Thanks, Doug. I fixed the forgotten question mark. 😀 I’m very pleased you liked the story. Yes, he was lucky indeed she had a lot of first kisses. 😀 — Suzanne
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It’s funny how we often remember things how we want them to be, not how they actually happened. I’ve had sad awakenings on returning to my home area on several occasions. Places seem to change so rapidly and nowhere looks the same as I remember. And, as your lovely story says, people change most of all. Everything just moves on. 🙂
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Thanks, Millie. You’re right. Nothing stays the same. The contractors are like busy bees. Things get torn down and built up. I think of people the way I remember them, but they grow and change the same as me. I’m so glad you liked the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Very sweet memory tale, Suzanne. Cheers to all those first kisses 😛
Ellespeth
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Thanks, Ellespeth. I’m so glad you liked the story. I’ll say “Cheers” also to those first kisses. 😀 — Suzanne
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We’ve all been there…just not with Rene. Nice one, Susan.
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Thanks, Lore. I have to admit, being a woman, I never had the opportunity to be Rene. I’m so glad you liked the story. 😀 — Suzanne
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