Image by Ted Strutz at http://www.tedstrutz.com
His eyes lit up. ‘Check out that river! Reminds me of where Dad used to take me when I was little. Such good memories…’
He turned to her. ‘What was your childhood like?’
They’d known each other just over twenty-four hours. Should she describe how she’d sit in her room on a chair with her eyes tightly closed and hands over ears praying for her parents to stop fighting, or the cold nights curled in the backseat with her mum and sisters while on the run?
‘It was pretty good,’ she said. ‘But tell me more about those river holidays.’
*********
Friday Fictioneers is a challenge set by Rochelle each week where writers from around the world post 100 word stories based on a common photo prompt. For more information, and to read other stories, visit Rochelle’s page here.
Jessie Ansons 
Like how you worked both parts of the prompt into the story. Her childhood sounds more like a second date kinda conversation! Nicely done.
So true… thanks Iain.
Gasp! You took the chair out of the water! Is that allowed? Another great tale, Jessie
Haha, let’s hope it’s allowed! Thanks Neil.
Dear Jessie,
You wrote a novel in a hundred words. Well done!
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you, Rochelle!
Great theme here. I remember those awkward moments when you start dating and those inevitable questions come up. What to say? It’s a hard call. We’d all like to white-wash those elements of the past and ourselves.
xx Rowena
Thanks for the lovely comment 🙂
Best not to unburden yourself and your past on a first date. Tomorrow will be fine… Good one, Jessie.
Thanks Sandra 🙂
Very good. Sadly too true for too too many. 🙂
Yep, that’s right. And too many hide these things forever.
Very realistic conversation, and realistic response—poignant and true for so many.
Glad you thought it was realistic 🙂 Thanks for the lovely comment!
My pleasure, Jessie 🙂
Great story Jess and true to life.
Thanks Marg for reading!
Great take. One’s heart goes out to the heroine.
Glad you felt that way 🙂
I love those secrets we hide.
Thank you for reading 🙂
I would love to hear how they got on. I hope that she has found a calmer future. Great story.
Me too! Thanks Michael 🙂
Well done! Yes, I must agree, a whole story is hidden in that 100 words and yes, let us leave all the difficult bits for a later date…
Thanks Dale – glad you thought so 🙂
There is a whole story as others have mentioned, I love the worry of whether to reveal too much after such a short time. Nicely done
Thank you Michel!
I agree there was so much not said but easily read in this story. Nicely done.
Glad you thought so 🙂
I’d love to know how their relationship develops. Well crafted story.
Thanks Clare, glad it left you wanting more 🙂
Sounds like she might get to know him well enough to have that conversation at some stage. Nicely told
Thanks Siobhan 🙂
Oh, Jessie… what a take. You always amaze me.
What a wonderful comment!!! Thank you 🙂
Poor girl. I hope this guy will be a much better fit for her than her parents were for themselves. Great job, Jessie! I love it!
I hope so too. Thanks for the read!
I love how she said just enough before turning the conversation to a more pleasant subject.
Thanks Alicia. Glad you like it 🙂
We all have our skeletons. It is amazing when you share yours, how many others share the same ones.
Great post.
– Lisa
Thanks Lisa – what a lovely comment 🙂
Well I hope she can open up later on in the relationship… I don’t know if I’d share that kind of info in the first 24 hours either.
Good story 🙂
-rachel
Thanks Rachel – so true 🙂
AnElephant loves this story.
It makes him cry.
I’m sorry to make AnElephant cry! Thanks for reading 🙂
it was the first date. that was understandable. for all you know, he wasn’t truthful either.
Very good point! Thanks for reading.
I think the shame of growing up in a home like that is all too common.
Yes! And she had no choice in the matter 😦 Thanks for your comment!
Yes, it’s a little early for a tell all.
Realistic story. My favorite kind.
Thanks Dawn! Glad you thought so 🙂