This week, Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers is prompted by this fine old photo. 
Just click on the frog !
JOB DONE
“Ma ! We’re starving…..what’s for dinner ? Where is she ? The stove’s warm, soup’s made. Ma never goes anywhere — collecting the eggs ?”
“No. Hey Seth, there’s a note on the table.”
__________________________________________________________________________
Seth and Jed
I’ve brought you up the best I could, put you first since Daddy died. Taught you all I know
about thrift, how to farm, to look out for each other. My joy has been playing my banjo of an evening
Reckon you boys can stand on your own two feet now. So I’ve joined a band called
‘Bettina’s Country Belles’ , we’re touring around the towns.
See you next year.
Ma
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June 18, 2019 at 11:18 am
Nice. I like Mum’s reach for independence after all those years of caring for others. Good for her! Great take on the prompt
June 19, 2019 at 3:57 pm
Thanks so much Lynn- pleased you liked the story.
June 16, 2019 at 8:24 pm
Love that Ma’ follows her dream… their sons have reason to be proud.
June 19, 2019 at 4:09 pm
Thanks Bjorn – I appreciate your comment. I agree that her sons have reason to be proud.
June 16, 2019 at 5:20 am
Mom is living her dream after taking care of her responsibilities! Yay, Mom.
June 16, 2019 at 3:57 pm
Thanks for your comment – pleased you liked the story Sascha.
June 16, 2019 at 12:04 am
Good for Ma! Finally cut them apron strings!
June 15, 2019 at 9:40 pm
I love it! Swell story.
June 16, 2019 at 4:01 pm
Thank you – so glad you liked the story.
June 16, 2019 at 4:35 pm
You are very welcome.
June 15, 2019 at 5:39 pm
Well, she certainly planned well. Sounds like a good time for her to get on with her life 🙂
June 16, 2019 at 4:07 pm
Thanks so much for your comment Linda. Yes, its Ma’s turn now.
June 15, 2019 at 2:44 pm
Mom is got to do what Mom is got to do. Good she had taken up a hobby and trying to make her sons stand on their feet and take care of their own selves.
June 16, 2019 at 4:09 pm
Thanks for your comment Abhijit, I appreciate it.
June 15, 2019 at 12:04 pm
Sometimes when the nuturing is over and the children are grown, its time to follow that dream. Loved it.
June 16, 2019 at 4:14 pm
Thank you James – pleased that you liked the story.
June 14, 2019 at 8:16 pm
Way to go mom!!
~Donna
https://authorshutterbug.wordpress.com/
June 16, 2019 at 4:19 pm
Appreciate your comment, thanks.
June 14, 2019 at 5:15 pm
I absolutely love this one, Francine! One of your best (to me, anyway!)
Some days I feel like doing exactly like Ma… may just happen one day 😉 Though not for no banjo-playin’…
June 14, 2019 at 7:21 pm
Thanks so much Dale, I’m glad you liked the story & that it spoke to you. I found the mood of stove picture inspiring.
June 14, 2019 at 9:14 am
Great little story. I like the way you name the boys, but leave Ma nameless, defined by her role. I like the way you have her leave them with a final kind act – having their dinner ready for when they get home. I like the way you’ve written the note, and the way you’ve structured the story.
Yeah, I like the story!
June 14, 2019 at 7:28 pm
Thankyou for your kind words Penny, so pleased you liked the story.
June 13, 2019 at 1:25 pm
I can visualise them standing there with their mouths wide open! Excellent.
Rosey invited me to lunch!
June 14, 2019 at 7:34 pm
Appreciate your comment Keith – yes, I’m sure their mouths were wide open !
June 13, 2019 at 11:36 am
“Ma we’re starving, what’s for dinner” says it all. All power to her for not being their servant forever. I love this and I would visit a concert of the Country Belles.
June 14, 2019 at 7:38 pm
Great comment – thank you. Yes, I’d go along to a Country Belles concert too.
June 13, 2019 at 10:50 am
When a job’s done, it’s done
June 14, 2019 at 7:43 pm
Just so Neil.
June 13, 2019 at 10:27 am
Dear Francine,
I’m assuming Seth and Jed are old enough to fend for themselves. May Ma have a long and satisfying career pursuing her dream. It’s never too late, is it? Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
June 14, 2019 at 7:51 pm
Thanks for your comment Rochelle, I so agree that it’s never too late.
June 13, 2019 at 7:18 am
Time for ma to follow her own dreams and for the boys to look after themselves. Nice one!
June 15, 2019 at 8:38 am
Thankyou Ali, I appreciate your feedback.
June 13, 2019 at 6:48 am
Good for her!
June 15, 2019 at 8:43 am
Thank you Sandra – yes – good for her !
June 13, 2019 at 5:14 am
The brought an appreciative smile for this time of the morning
June 15, 2019 at 8:49 am
Thank you, glad it made you smile.
June 13, 2019 at 5:05 am
Love it! Time for the boys to stand alone. Maybe if she didn’t leave they never would. She has her own dreams now.
June 15, 2019 at 8:52 am
Thanks so much Brenda – I’m pleased you liked the story.
June 12, 2019 at 8:47 pm
That note took a surprising twist – good on her!
June 15, 2019 at 8:58 am
Thank Iain, glad you liked the twist.
June 12, 2019 at 7:04 pm
Shonuf if’n’ they’s grow’d ups
June 15, 2019 at 9:01 am
Thanks Larry – I sure think they are !!