Many thanks to Rochelle @ Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple for orchestrating Friday Fictioneers. The challenge is to write a story based upon a photo prompt (and thanks to Jean L. Hays for that), with a beginning, middle, and an end in fewer than 101 words. This is my third venture.
Genre: Ironic (flash) Fiction
Word count: 100
***
Lobo and Robin met and married at the University of New Mexico following his return from Vietnam in 1970. He was from the Atchafalaya Swamp region of Louisiana, she from Montana ranch country.
Doc Robin, as she was called, was an internationally known infectious disease specialist. Lobo, a highly sought after free-lance journalist.
Their 50th anniversary party was planned for Saturday night on their rancho near Albuquerque.
“What’s in the box, Robin?”
“Designer surgical masks for the party.”
“You’ve thought of everything.”
“Not really, Babe. But it would not do for our quests to go home with COVID-19.”
Lobo howled.
***
Look both ways to plan a party.
Mind the gaps of the ironic mind in a literal world.
Our Literary Journey 
I already like these people, and I’ve only known them for 2 minutes, this NEEDS to be a book!!!
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Glad you got hooked, Turk. I’ve been on a Vietnam Vet memoir binge lately, so I had to let some out.
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Maybe the party’s not such a great idea
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Thanks, Neil.
If I had more words I could have worked in the outdoors and six foot distancing, but I needed to find the end sooner that I wanted. 🙂
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I love this, Bill!
50 years must be celebrated! I’m sure they, if all people, know how to do it right. 😁
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Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it, Dale.
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I most definitely did!
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🙂
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The new normal – better safe than sorry, and it’s a party they will all remember!
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I hope they have a safe blast in the high desert.
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Very cool story and I love the blue froggies!
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Dear Bill,
I love it! The back story, the party and the masks, all rolled into a neat little package. A gift delivered for our enjoyment. They do know how to throw a party. I’ll keep this in mind as our 50th is a year and a half away.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle.
I thought I might have to sculpt it down, but it fell right into 100 words. We are on mask orders in TX now, so it’s becoming a designer-mask competition at the grocery stores. 🙂
Peace,
Bill
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Skilfully done, Bill, a whole lot of backstory to draw us in, and a howlin’ good finish!
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Thank you. The story was fun; the word count, a challenge.
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That’s kinda the point here!
And it’s a lot more than Sammi gives us on Saturday…
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So it is.
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It would take more than a virus to put pay to that celebration! You have a couple of really interesting characters. Nice one Bill.
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Thank you, Keith. Lobo and Robin were inspired by some research I’ve been doing.
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50 years! what a celebration that will be. Nicely done.
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Thank you, Sandra.
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Sounds like something to put on one’s Summer Collection 😉
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Oh, for certain.
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🙂
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great story. you just made me laugh out loud. 🙂
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Glad you liked it.
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This is a wonderful story. I like the characters and the celebration. Not sure I would attend the party though.
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Thank you, Gabriella. The party is safe: free designer masks, outside in the high NM desert, and room to play and social distance. 🙂
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Who knows, masks might become the new norm. At least they are making the most of it.
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Lobo thought of the most important thing. Celebrating safely! Like Tannille said, the new normal? Lovely story.
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Sounds like it’s going to be a fun but safe anniversary celebration. Good for them.
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Nicely told story.
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