My apologies to all my Friday Fictioneers friends that I could not read your stories a few weeks back. I usually try to read as many as I can but this has been a busy time. I’m looking forward to reading them this week, plus looking forward to Thanksgiving in a few weeks when I can get a few days off.
Portentous Tinsel
Dad thought Christmas made everything better, so when he started putting up decorations in August, we knew something terrible had happened.
Jasmine felt the dog’s pulse as Dad assembled the Christmas tree. When he put on carols, I called to check on Grandma.
By the afternoon, he was putting up the outside lights and my search history included words like “asteroid” and “zombies”. Mom had no idea, but she gave us a signed affidavit they weren’t getting divorced.
Dad came inside. “Merry Christmas.” He wiped away a tear. “I have tragic news. Tom Seaver died today.”
Silence. “Who?” Mom asked.
In case your reaction was the same as Mom’s: Tom Seaver
The Green-Walled Tower 
November 14th, 2020 at 3:20 pm
You really got me on this one. Didn’t see it coming. Love feeling for the dog’s pulse. See, that’s why I didn’t expect the Seaver curve. Ya fooled me Dave. Loved it, as always.
November 14th, 2020 at 10:23 pm
Thanks! Consider it payback for the Unrequited Love story you posted last month that fooled me. 🙂
November 15th, 2020 at 4:17 am
Touche? Now there’s a word we should see more of. 🙂
November 14th, 2020 at 6:49 pm
I had to look him up. Seemed like a familiar name. Baseball. Which I’ve never cared much about 🙂
November 14th, 2020 at 10:20 pm
I used to follow the Toronto Blue Jays back when I was in high school but don’t follow any sports these days.
November 15th, 2020 at 6:33 am
My sister was–still is–an avid sports fan, and back in the 60s she listened to every game she could. That’s why the name Tom Seaver had a familiar ring to it.
November 14th, 2020 at 7:14 pm
Dear David,
I confess to clicking the link. The name rang a bell, but couldn’t quite place it. Apparently Dad felt the weight of the loss. Well done and a little more “down to earth” than some of your stories. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
November 14th, 2020 at 10:19 pm
Yes, I like to mix it up a bit and not make everything fantastical. Interestingly, there were a lot of magical portal stories of one form or another this week. I had actually never heard of him before today either. Just goes to show that someone who is huge to one person means nothing to someone else.
November 14th, 2020 at 9:22 pm
Interesting story! I had to click on the link. Thanks for sharing.
November 15th, 2020 at 5:25 am
Ha ha – my reaction was the same as mum’s! Nice angle on the photo prompt, David. 🙂
November 15th, 2020 at 7:45 pm
Thanks, Susan. That would have been my reaction too. I don’t really follow sports either, but for some people, it’s the center of their lives.
November 15th, 2020 at 7:50 am
I so enjoyed the family’s reaction. Nicely done!
November 15th, 2020 at 7:44 pm
Thanks, Brenda. 🙂
November 15th, 2020 at 9:34 am
I enjoyed this on two levels, the journey and the link to Tom Seaver
November 15th, 2020 at 12:08 pm
I had to look up Tom Seaver but really enjoyed the piece once I found out who he was.
November 15th, 2020 at 7:43 pm
Thanks, Michael.
November 16th, 2020 at 10:31 pm
What an original take on the prompt, David. Luckily, a friend of mine is a baseball fanatic so I actually knew who he was and that he had passed away..
November 22nd, 2020 at 8:03 pm
Thanks, Dale. I didn’t know who he was before writing this, but wanted someone who most people wouldn’t know but might be super important to a small group.
November 22nd, 2020 at 8:09 pm
I like that!
November 17th, 2020 at 9:07 pm
I like how her curiosity was piqued and she didn’t give up until the mystery was solved.