This story was written for Sunday Photo Fiction–April 17th, 2016. Each week the host, Al Forbes, provides a picture prompt. The challenge for each member of the group is to write an original story or poem with no more than 200 words and inspired by the prompt.
To read the other stories written by group members just click on the link below, then click on the little blue frog in the blue box.
The link to the other stories this week is as follows:
https://sundayphotofictioner.wordpress.com/2016/04/17/sunday-photo-fiction-april-17th-2016/
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 3+196 = 199 Words
UNDER THE BRIDGE by P.S. Joshi
Overhead cars and trucks sped by, each to its appointed destination. Under the bridge a different scene took place.
“Jeff”–Frank leaned in closer to the fire–“how’d you end up here? You got a good education. I can tell by the words you sling around.”
“Well, my old friend,”–Jeff sighed–“First I drank too much. Then it was all those cocktail parties the boss insisted I attend when I already had a drinking problem. Finally, he fired me because he smelled alcohol on my breath at work. That’s what you call a double standard.
“Next, my wife left me and took the kids, and dog. I couldn’t blame her. I lost the house but kept on drinking. I just plain gave up. So, you see me as I am now.”
“Buddy”–Frank raised a wine bottle to his mouth and took a gulp–“ain’t there nobody for you to go to in trouble? No other family around?”
“Well,”–Jeff took a swig from a whiskey bottle–“my sister’d want me in rehab.”
“My man, do it.”–Frank coughed and lay back on his blanket–“You won’t last long out here. I’m about done for myself.”
Musings on Life & Experience 
My fingers are crossed for Jeff – I hope he finds some help. And Frank too, if it’s not too late. Quite sad.
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Thanks, Ali. I hope they both get the help they need. Frank’s in the worse shape of course. He’s suffering from lung problems that are turning into pneumonia. I didn’t have enough words to describe more. —- Suzanne
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Sad story, Suzanne, that’s close to the truth for many people. I hope there’s a brighter future for your characters.
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Thanks, Diana. I hope they have a brighter future also. I’m pleased you thought I did a good job with the story. It is sad and close to the truth. My brother had a drinking problem. He had to go to cocktail parties as part of his job and finally had to take early retirement because of it. His boss was pleased with his work, but the parties were too much. Knowing him, I doubt he ever had alcohol on his breath at work. He was one of those who had been drinking a long time and handled it well. —- Suzanne
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I think many of us have stories about alcohol’s impact on our families. I know I do. It’s a subject that isn’t likely to fade away anytime soon.
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Well, I guess its already late. Not sure if its too late!
Nice story! 🙂
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Thanks, Prakash. I’m pleased you liked the story. I also hope it’s not too late for my characters. —- Suzanne
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A thoughtful piece. It sort of hangs there with possibilities unresolved. My OCD side is frustrated, but it is a good way to leave the future a question mark instead of an answer.
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Thanks, Kirizar. There are some of these flash pieces I may take one day to lengthen. I’m pleased you liked the story even though you would have preferred a better ending. —– Suzanne
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Not better, necessarily, I’m just hung up on resolution. I have to know how it ends!
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I hope Jeff takes Frank’s advice. (To be honest, I quite liked the unresolved ending. I find it forces me to think about the story more than it would if it had a clear happy ending.)
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Thanks, Bun. I’m so pleased you liked the story, even the ending. I didn’t have the words to write it, but Frank’s really ill. He’s got pneumonia. He knows he hasn’t got long. Winos have a terrible addiction I also hope Jeff follows his advice or he’ll probably end up the same way. —- Suzanne
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Sad commentary on life. Maybe he’d take the chance and turn his life around.
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Thanks, Athling. It is sad and I also hope he turns his life around as many have. —- Suzanne
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So sad. To have it all then lose everything. Maybe if he goes into rehab and gets the help he could get his wife and kids back. And the dog. Love your take on the prompt.
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Thanks, Al. Yes, that would be the best thing for him. He could even get the dog back. I’m so pleased you liked the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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