PHOTO PROMPT – Copyright – Claire Fuller
He maneuvered quietly, willing her not to awake.
“Goddamit, Gil, you just can’t let me sleep in, can you! Go make the coffee!”
Gil cringed, knowing he’d suffer castigation until he got outside of the front door.
Chill December morning brought frosted breath, windshield scraping, and stinging bare hands. The old Ford’s heater had given up long ago.
Two miles later he rolled up to PitStop; his means of making a living. Yet it was much more than income. It was Gil’s social lifeline; his man cave of refuge.
Wednesday’s city inspection was PitStop’s last chance before being condemned.
[100 words]
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the illuminating host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
Things don’t look good for Pit Stop
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Nor for poor Gil. Thanks much, Neil.
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Oh poor Gil… He just can’t get a break, can he?
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lol nope
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Perhaps someone will throw him a lifeline…(K)
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Perhaps he can turn the Pit Stop into a museum, I would if I was him
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Yes, and he can be the one giving the tours. Fingers crossed!
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Your story says a lot in few words Li.
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Thank you, Sadje.
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His life just isn’t heading in the right direction, is it? A bad tempered wife is one thing, but the loss of a man-cave… :0
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Exactly. Thanks for reading, Sandra.
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That coffee…would not have been made! Good luck to Gil.
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🙂 He could pick coffee up along the way, you’re right. I really hope the place passes inspection.
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Dear Lisa,
My heart goes out to poor Gil. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, my heart does also. Thank you.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Poor fella, Nice tale.
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Thanks much, Mason.
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Time for Gil and his old Ford to head off to pastures new.
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For sure!
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I hope he doesn’t lose his little escape 😦
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Ditto!
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he must learn to stand up to her. otherwise, his life is doomed.
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Indeed!
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If he loses his mancave (the horror!), maybe he changes something in his life and relationship.
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You know, Gah, it may be just the shake-up he needs, you’re right!
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I once asked someone about relationships like this. I wish I could recall the answer. Well done, Lisa.
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Thanks, Bill. It’s a power imbalance, but who knows, maybe he’s a masochist? I hope he gets to keep his refuge of the man cave, and if not, as Gah said, he uses it as motivation to move toward positive change.
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I foresee a sad ending to this tale. Great story! Merry Christmas!
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Bear, keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for reading and Happy Holidays!
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Oh dear. Poor Gil. Wonder where he’ll go to get away from Mrs. Grouchy.
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😦 I wonder also…
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Well told, Lisa. You paint poor old Gil’s situation vividly and with pathos. I hope he finds another job quickly.
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Thanks, Penny.
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Gee I hope it doesn’t close, sounds like he needs the refuge. Poor Gil
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Ditto, Laurie.
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Poor dude. Pun and all.
I hope he gets a break. I hope she gets a heart …
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I hope something happens to shake up that dynamic. Thanks for reading and your comment, Na’ama.
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🙂 Yeah … them are stuck, eh? 😉
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A timely ode to a time when so many small businesses are in trouble. Well done.
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Anne thank you.
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