PHOTO PROMPT © Trish Nankivell
Harold has been harassing Carla since the two of them were in kindergarten. When he pushed her in the gravel, she told her teacher; who just smiled and said, “That means he likes you.”
In middle school, Harold tried to kiss Carla in the park. She pushed him away and he slapped her face. She tried to tell her mom, but mom was passed out on the couch.
In high school, he raped her in the locker room, but police said, “Your word against his.”
Tonight Carla sits in Harold’s favorite bar with a .38 in her purse, waiting.
[99 words]
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the illuminating host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
And now she’ll end up in jail because of him
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Perhaps…
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Powerful! Love this.
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Thank you!
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Hard not to be on Carla’s side, but I’m not sure that’s the answer.
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You may be right, Iain. What else would you suggest to take Harold out? Dragged behind an ATV? ;)
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Something that means she won’t get caught would be the way to go.
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Of course ;)
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Tolerating “boys will be boys” behavior (as well as all behavior by those in power) is what we’ve been taught to do cross-culturally. Often it does end in situations like this, where the powerless feel driven to seek justice for themselves.
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Exactly, Dora. Thank you for reading and your comment.
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She’d be well advised to get out of town – preferably before she reached the point of murder. Harold doesn’t deserve the sacrifice of the rest of her life.
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Sadly, I think that Carla is not the only one Harold has harmed and he will continue harming others until he is stopped. Why is it the victims always have to leave? Just a rhetorical question.
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I agree with the others that there has to be a way were she doesn’t end up in jail. A few hints to her – don’t carry your cell as your position can be tracked, and don’t use your own computer for the research…
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Good tips, Trent! And I’m guessing you don’t write fictional stories about it online either ;)
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lol, no, that’s another good tip for her…
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Sometimes you have to make your own justice.
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Thanks, Fandango, yes :)
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Excuses and explanations along the way. A trail of denial and enabling. Now, someone’s life will pay the price. Hers or his, I wasn’t sure… Oh, and I liked your piece. ;)
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K, I think one way or another, the harassment will end after tonight. Thank you :)
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I guess she’ll wipe him out. 🧻
That’s some serious escalation. Thankfully, most of our immature attempts at flirtation don’t lead down that path. This is as serious an indictment of the adults as it is the participants. Someone stepping in at some point could have saved both of their lives. There are more plies here than the pictured toilet tissue.
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Excellent and thoughtful comment, Nobbin. It’s a society-wide problem that is pervasive.
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Harold will be no more…I hate to see her in jail though…maybe hire an accident guy…damn breaks went out on Harold’s car! What a shame
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lol Don’t give Carla any ideas….
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sounds like poetic justice.
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Yes, he’s earned it!
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I’ll be sure to stay away from that bar.
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Unfortunately, this happens way too often.
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Yes it does, and it is time for it to stop.
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It is indeed.
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I really hope she’s planned it well and gets away with it.
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Me too!
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It’s always “boys will be boys”–that has not changed at all. (K)
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It’s time. I just read something the other day about having kids play dodgeball in school and what it teaches them (forgot the gist) but why oh why don’t they teach children things like meditation and self-defense?
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That’s a good question. There are many things that should be taught in school that are not. Like why did they get rid of home ec and shop (although both should be required by all sexes) Basic skills are important, and parents often don’t know how to do them to teach them. But everyone should know how to use tools, both domestic and mechanical.
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Dear Lisa,
Sounds like Harold’s about to meet his Maker. And not a moment too soon. I love the way you used the prompt. Perfect!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, happy you see it that way. Thank you for your comment.
Shalom,
Lisa
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He probably thought he’d have one last shot – but this wasn’t the shot he had in mind!
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Exactly!
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That surely took a sinister turn. I knew he was rotten, though, when HE slapped HER. Jerk.
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Thanks for reading, Linda, and your comment.
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Powerfully written. I think you have captured this form of oppression well, in so few words. Society continues to be shocked by this but never does anything about it. And so it goes on.
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Thank you for reading and your informed comment, Mick.
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I blame Mom.
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What a tragic story for Carla. I hope she doesn’t go through with it, making her life worse than it already is. Not many good choices for her. So sad!
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I think giving him a good scare might do the trick, but he may take some convincing.
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Totally unexpected, Jade. I see she reached her breaking point.
I wish someone had listened. Sad …
Be Safe 😷 … Isadora 😎
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Thank you for reading and understanding, Isadora.
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The title makes a lot of sense. However I feel Carla is heading down the wrong path.
Arsenic in his drink would work better.
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LOL I like how you set me up with your comment. Thanks for reading, subroto :)
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It seems the poor girl can never win, the support has never been there for her. Poignant piece
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Thank you, Michael. It’s a systemic problem.
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After being let down so many times and him getting away with the things he did to her–which escalated to rape, she obviously feels that she has no other choice but to take matters into her own hands. I don’t agree with what she is planning to do but I understand why she was driven to it. Very powerful piece, Lisa. It touches on the lack of support and justice many have to deal with.
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I appreciate your comment, Magarisa. It’s where she’s at and why she’s there. She is not going to approach him, even though she admits she’s acting as bait. If he does the right thing, no worries for him….
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You’re welcome. It would be interesting to see what happens. Will he be smart and leave her alone or take the bait and…?
Cheers,
Adele
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It sounds like there is not choice for her, but she will be stopping his game forever if she aims low.
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Good idea, Michael! Don’t kill him but maim him. The kneecaps or something else…
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I don’t know how to feel about this story. So much feels! Thanks for sharing.
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You’re very welcome and glad you can see it’s a complicated situation.
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That is one big history condensed down so neatly. A disturbing story with real punch.
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Thank you, Sarah!
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OMG that poor poor child. This really demonstrates how one little reaction or inaction… leads to another, leads to another… leads to hell. A chilling message in this. Well written.
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Thank you very much for reading and your thoughtful comment.
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