Trin stood with her friend Brianna. They watched as Trin’s mother, Thanh, visited her father’s grave site.
“I think my Mom’s going nuts,” said Trin.
“Why?” said Brianna.
“She actually believes she’s talking to my Dad.”
“Gawd!”
“She still really loves him. My Dad flew the plane she escaped in from Saigon. She still says he’s a hero.”
“Aw,” murmured Brianna. “Hey, does she know you’re doing it with Brian?”
“No! She has no way of knowing.”
Thanh returned to the two girls. She said, “Your father’s proud of you, Trin. He also says use a condom next time.”
_________________________________
Happy Veteran’s Day. This was written for the Friday Fictioneers. Look here to find the stories written by other folks. Just click on the blue link: https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2015/11/11/13-november-2015/
I wrote another story – not a funny one – that more firmly celebrates Veteran’s Day:
The Difference
Victor’s sixteen-year old niece, Miriam, was learning about history and politics. So he took her to see her grandfather’s grave. He pointed. “He’s right there. Died fighting for freedom over Germany.”
Miriam snorted. “Lot of good it did. There’s many people in the world without freedom. What difference did it make?”
“You have freedom.”
Miriam scowled. “There’s oppression in many countries. Why don’t they rise up and demand their freedoms?”
“In those countries, their graves are filled with people who demanded freedom.”
“So?”
Victor waved his hand across the headstones. “This graveyard is filled with those who fought for it.”
Dear Eric,
I don’t have to choose between these two stories, do I? I really loved them both for different reasons. At any rate, I’ll bet Trin will never doubt Tranh again, will she?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nope. No choice is necessary. I’m glad you liked both. I wrote the second one first, but wasn’t sure about it. My wife said she liked it and thought I should still post it. And yeah, Trin is thinking differently about her mom now. 😉 Thanks much, Rochelle! 🙂
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That’s a smart mother ….Nice stories.
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Yeah, she is. Some day Trin will really appreciate that too. Thanks so much! 🙂
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Can’t possibly choose. Love them both for different reasons 🙂
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They’re very different stories. No choice is necessary. I’m just happy you enjoyed them. Thanks very much! 🙂
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C- The flippant teenage POV works well in both pieces. The message in the second piece was powerful and timely.
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The teenage POV seems to be the common thread between them. Or at least educating the younger generations to appreciate those who came before them. Thanks so much for your thoughts!
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I hope Miriam never has to find out the hard way that when people rise up to demand freedom from oppression, about eight times out of ten it ends in defeat, and ninth time it works only to institute a different type of oppression.
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Absolutely right. It’s scary how often the new boss is so much like the old boss, isn’t it? And yeah, Miriam should count her blessings. For her, it’s only an intellectual exercise. For many, it’s a way of life.
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Both are great! Parents are wiser than their children give them credit for.
We are truly blessed to have people willing to fight for Freedom!
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Yes we are! This was the day to celebrate that. Thanks so much! 🙂
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Double hoorah! Nicely done – twice. 🙂
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Thanks very much! I appreciate that. 🙂
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I like the second one much better. IT does make a difference! They are both very good pieces. Loved them both and thank you for the honors of reading them! 🙂
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Awesome. I’m glad both appealed. Thanks so much for the great comments. I appreciate it. 🙂
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Both were good stories, Eric, but I did prefer the second one in keeping with Veteran’s Day.Well done. — Suzanne J.
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Great to hear that. Seems like the second story wins this round. I’m glad Shey talked me into posting it. Thanks so much, Suzanne! 🙂
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I liked them both. No C from me this week.
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Cool. Glad liked them. Thanks much! 🙂
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Two stories, same message – the young take a bit of time to get it. Some get it earlier (Trin), others, later (Miriam). We need to be patient.
Nicely done.
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True enough. And maybe another message is we need to be patient and give people the time to learn. Thanks so much, Patrick! 🙂
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Love the stories (I’m in the minority I know but I prefer the first one – I’d love to think it was her dad, but if her mum is anything like mine used to be; she just knew!! ). No C. Where did the names come from in the first story?
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Thank you! In the first story, it really is my intention that Dad gave her Mom the lowdown. He really was “watching over” Trin from the other side, and her Mom wasn’t crazy at all. Any way folks interpret it is fine with me. Trin is the name of someone I used to know and I got the mom’s name from a list of Vietnamese girl names. I use such lists a lot. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much! 🙂
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I prefer the first one although both were good. I found it totally believable and brought a smile at the end.
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Ah, smiles are what I was hoping for. It seems story#1 is catching up. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks very much! 🙂
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I’m glad you chose to include both stories. I honestly don’t know which I enjoyed more. I’m still fascinated by your ability to put a humorous twist on just about any subject. Much respect. The second story was insightful and moving. As always, well done.
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You know, when I saw the picture prompt and I was thinking it’s Veterans Day, I didn’t think anything funny could be written. So I wrote the second story, first. I prefer to write humorous stories so I continued thinking. Eventually I got to the first story. My wife liked the second and said I should still post it. I’m glad she talked me into it. Thanks so much for the glowing comments. I really appreciate it. 🙂
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I’m glad you didn’t quit after writing the first one. As good as it was, it might have been easy to stop there. You managed to pull out two gems instead of just one.
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Excellent – both! War, and a graveyard give rise to way too many sorrowful tales, still you’ve done this week of tributes justice. The humor – perfect!
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Awesome. I’m so glad to hear that both stories worked out well. I wanted to do our veterans justice. Seems I succeeded. Thanks very much!
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Kids just don’t stand a chance with parents who are conspiring with supernatural spying forces. Forget GPS tracking systems on phones, these kids are truly being watched!
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Haha! That’s right. I’d say family spirits are better watchdogs than any GPS. 🙂
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And they always tell on us, don’t they?!
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Haha! 😀 Yep!
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I enjoyed both stories.
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Cool. I appreciate that. Thanks much! 🙂
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