Photo prompt courtesy of Peter Abbey
‘Oh mum, why can’t we keep him? Look at him – he likes it here with us. I promise I’ll look after him. He’ll be no trouble. Can we please?’
‘No, Carolyn. I’ve explained this already. He seems content now but he needs to go back with the others. One day is all they can take. After that they change. They get used to all the attention and start to expect it. Before long they’re thinking the whole world revolves around them.
‘We’ll get your father out for a visit again, but at six o’clock he goes back into the compound.’
*****
Another 100 word story for Friday Fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields.
Onto the page 
I knew some twist was coming, but I didn’t expect that one!
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Thanks, Neil. I like to surprise.
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Harsh, but I suspect a few wives will agree…! Made me laugh, well done 🙂
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I’m glad you enjoyed it, Iain. I hope not too many wives agree – that would be a sad state of affairs.
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Dear Margaret,
Now that’s an original twist. I like it…a lot. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle. I’m so glad you like it.
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Yikes, I didn’t see that coming! Interesting take on the prompt!
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Good. I like to surprise. And I like a ‘Yikes’ response very much. Thank you.
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Goodness, I wonder what sort of compound poor dad is in? Is it wrong that I smiled at the end? 🙂
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No – a smile is what I was aiming for. I’ve read a couple of novels about women being locked away – firstly there was, of course, ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ by Margaret Atwood; and earlier this year I read a new book by Australian author Charlotte Wood – ‘The Natural Way of Things’. I reversed the situation, but I’m afraid I still made the male the villain. No, I’m not a man-hater. I have a lovely husband who I would never wish to come to any harm, or incarceration.
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Hehe. I knew it couldn’t be a dog, but the twist still surprised me. Fun and thought-provoking.
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I like that response. Thank you, Gabriele. I did want to sustain the impression that he was a dog, but by the middle of the story I knew I couldn’t.
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Where the heck is Dad being kept? Kinda’ creepy, this.
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Ooh good – I’m glad you got the creeps. Dad’s locked up with all the other adult males, and probably the adolescent ones too; in fact, especially those ones. It’s just not conducive to a safe, peaceful society to have them on the loose. Limited outings are permitted, but only if their behaviour’s been impeccable.
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LOL! This explanation and the story is just lovely.
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Thank you. Glad you enjoyed them both.
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So funny, and such an acerbic little twist.
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Yes, it is a bit nasty – but I’m glad you enjoyed it anyway. Thanks, Sandra.
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What? I’m pretty sure I was the center of the universe when I woke up this morning. Don’t try and burst my bubble. 🙂
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Oh, Russell. You’ve been out of the compound too long. I’ll need to have a word with Connie.
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That was a whammy of a last sentence! Well done – you took me by surprise.
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Thanks Lizy. A whammy of a lat sentence is a good thing, I think. Im glad you enjoyed it.
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A few words a suck on the barley twist at the end and I gasped. Fabulously expressed, loved your take on it.
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Thank you Ellen. A gasp is a most gratifying response – glad you liked it.
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Maybe you would like some of mine 😀😁😂😆
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