Many thanks to Rochelle @ Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple for guiding us through Friday Fictioneers. The challenge she presents is to write a story based upon a photo prompt, provided today by the same lovely Rochelle herself.
The challenge was to write a complete story (beginning, middle, and end) in 100 words or less.

Title: Downtown Ice Cream
Genre: Fiction
Word count: 100
Elizabeth and Jacob—so much in love. Next week, they’d be off to France for their honeymoon.
The dark-skinned man finished his ice cream, wiped his lips on a napkin, then walked to the restroom. Coming out he walked past them and toward the door.
Jacob yelled, “Sir, you forgot your valise.” The man turned to see Jacob grab the case. He yelled, “God no!”
The explosion killed 22 in the store and seriously injured 15 in the street.
The officer dropped the engagement ring into a plastic bag saying, “I hope we don’t find the finger to fit this.”
***
Look both ways for awareness of surroundings.
Mind the gaps in the frozen hearts of terrorists.
***
Click the blue frogs for the link to read other stories offered for today’s challenge.

Woah. Wasn’t expecting that! Awesome story.
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Thank you, Lucy.
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Bill!! What have you done!
A wonderfully told story that as soon as I read valise, I cringed. Dang if it wasn’t for a good reason.
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Thank you, Dale, I had zip. I took a wee nap and woke with this horrible thought. And there it was. Too possible. Too real. 🙂
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The nap was productive. I dunno if I’ll play.
And yes, too possible. (Or we watch too much TV…)
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When you’re a writer, it’s supposed to be okay to kill people. Now I feel like I need to write a happy ending next time. 🙂
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It is! Don’t you fret. I love that you surprised me.
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Oh I did, now? Well then, I will not fret.
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Haha! Don’t think you would’ve anyway. 😉
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I do wonder why I wrote it.
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😊
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Have you ever heard this question, ‘What is the best hoped for possible outcome of every relationship?’ Deep sigh.
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I have not. Deep sigh indeed.
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Today will be a wonderful day, right?
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Yes it will. As I wish it for you, as well.
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Thanks. 🙂
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So tragic!
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Indeed.
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Yikes!
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Oh my!! It seems your muse has taken you down a dark path! A love story with an unexpected tragic ending. Well crafted 😊
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Thank you, Sue. I don’t know where that came from. I woke from a nap and that was it. Boom! 🙂
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Do not fret, Bill. Having read all comments this morning, cause I can’t sleep, I wish for you a better day today. I could use one too😊
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Thanks, Sue. May your day be magical 🧙♀️ and wonderful.
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So far, so good😊 I had a rough night , but things are looking up.
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Oh, that is great to hear, Sue. Just read your ‘Becoming’ poem. Wonderful.
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Thanks, Bill. I feel like I’m in a constant state of becoming these days. Hopefully that translates to personal growth. Have a wonderful day😎
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A traumatic end to short-lived happiness. As with all these attacks, I’m often left wondering what exactly the terrorists are hoping to achieve by targeting innocent people? Good story Bill.
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Thank you, Iain.
Oh, yes. When the dark side of life. I just looked up a PP&M song, ‘Day is Done” this verse haunts me…
Do you ask why I’m sighing, my son?
You shall inherit what mankind has done
In a world filled with sorrow and woe
If you ask me why this is so, I really don’t know
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Very telling lyrics – what are we leaving for the next generations? A complete mess is all I can see.
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Indeed.
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I too sensed something was wrong when I read the word “valise.” Not the thing you usually take to the bathroom. After watching the series Bodyguard this week, your story feels only too plausible.
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Indeed. Thanks for the comment, Gabriella.
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It could easily be a true story, told in clinical terms in a news article. You’ve given even the terrorist a little bit of heart. Well done.
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Thank you.
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what a tragic story. more tragic if she survived to endure a lifetime of sorrow.
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Yeah, I’m going to say I found the ‘dark-skinned’ part of the description really problematic. But otherwise a good twist on the take.
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Thank you.
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Can happen any where any time. I’m going to stop myself from getting on my soapbox. The story is triggering. Gutsy given the PC climate. Dark and well done.
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Ooh noo. I wasn’t expecting that from the title, I was expecting ice cream sundaes and happily ever afters 🙂
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Yikes, pretty dark, but well done.
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How things changed from word one to one hundred. A tragic tale indeed.
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Thanks, Keith.
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Wow, that was powerful. Excellent closing line too.
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Thank you, Russell.
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Dear Bill,
Oh my! Oh my, my, my! I nearly jumped myself. Powerful 100 words. Such a romantic evening to end so tragically.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle.
I had nothing. Then, suddenly, that.
Peace,
Bill
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I saw you told Dale you took a nap and there it was. I’m afraid of what you might’ve come up with if you’d had a full 8 hours. 😉
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So often, Rochelle, the Universe delivers right before I go to sleep. I lose so many good ideas because I decide to sleep. But this (good or not) was upon awakening. I have forgotten what a “full 8 hours” feels like. 🙂
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I do understand that. 8 hours? Whassat?
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🙂
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Are you back from your vacation? If so, I hope your bright and wonderful self is doing well.
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I am back from vacation. Swimming in the ocean and being with my only sibling was fantastic. Now I’m back at the desk working on the dastardly book proposal. I did begin this morning with a swim in the cement pond. 😉 Thank you…I am doing quite well. 😀
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🙂
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Bill, the way you conveyed the stunning horror of the tragedy is good storytelling.
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Thank you.
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You’re welcome.
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My goodness, I was expecting a happy story. What a punch line!
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The story building up to a tragic ending was outstanding. You packed a punch in 100 words. I was hoping for a sweet interchange between the couple. BUT … it was not to be. I loved it. Be Safe … Isador a 😎
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Thank you.
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Awful finale – but why did the colour of the man’s skin matter? Just asking.
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No more than his gender, I suppose.
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That’s taking dieting to the extreme. This reminds me of a similar scene in one of my favorite movies, “The Untouchables.” Except it’s a little girl. “Mister, you forgot your briefcase.”
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What a last line!
Explosive story Bill
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Thank you, Laurie.
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