PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Situated a short block from waterfront seasonal condos, the converted fish cannery serves both tourists and locals alike. There is no mystery about the menu: crab, hushpuppies, corn-on-the-cob, and Millie’s home-made peach pie, with craft brews to wash it down with.
Newbies marvel at suspended and affixed memorabilia above them. Locals know the story behind each piece. Sucking on the end of a leg, I wonder who gets all of that junk up there; keeps it dusted.
When Jerry’s maw died, Millie and Joe took him in. He lives in the cellar. At night he climbs the walls.
[98 words]
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the summery host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
That took a dark twist at the end
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There is always shadow with light. David Lynch perfectly manifested that reality in “Blue Velvet.” Thanks, Neil.
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All the ones in Texas closed down. I liked the atmosphere and the food.
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I didn’t realize this was a chain.
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I love places like that!
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Just don’t look in the cellar ;)
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😱
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Good twist at the end. If the visitors of the restaurant would know what lurks in the cellar…
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I feel sorry for Jerry, but then again, he has food, clothing, and shelter. What if they hadn’t taken him in… I do wonder what Jerry looks like and if he is a non-violent sort. Maybe they *should* stay away ;)
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The ending came out of nowhere…I won’t ask how he climbs the walls. We have one in Nashville.
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Wow I had no idea that Joe’s Crab Shack was a chain. I just saw the pic and saw what Rochelle named it and took it from there. Probably better if you don’t know how he climbs the walls ;)
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That last line is very unexpected. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
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Good, glad I “gotcha,” Sadje :)
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Haha! That you surely did
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:)
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I questioned the dusting too when I saw the pic. I enjoyed your take. A disturbing under-tone.
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Thanks, T!
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“Sucking on the end of a leg”… love that. I’m hoping that’s a chicken leg but…
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LOL. I was thinking crab shack and crab legs, but you just never know with these tiny tales :)
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So much for being good Samaritans… keeping him in the cellar, eesh. I, too, loved “sucking on the end of a leg”!
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Thanks, Dale! Just the idea of Jerry crawling the walls at night gives me the creeps!
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Heebie Jeebies!
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How can humans treat people worse than an animal.. Makes you think.
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Humans have a bad rap, but it is earned, sad to say :(
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Dear Lisa,
It’s a dirty job but someone’s gotta do it, eh? Fun story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS We used to have Joe’s Crab Shack in KC but they all closed down here
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Rochelle, it seems to work, but I haven’t talked with Jerry to see what he thinks about it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Great twist Lisa- and the moral of the story is don’t ask too many questions or take a trip to the cellar! 🙌
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:) Yep!
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Have you thought of peering through a window one night? No? I don’t blame you! Nice one, Lisa.
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I just felt a chill up my spine as I thought of looking in. Thanks, Keith!
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A delightfully creepy take on the prompt.
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Thank you :)
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Love the set up and twist. Poor Jerry. The phrase ‘climbs the walls’ is loaded with meaning. Terrific.
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Thanks much, Margaret :)
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So long as Jerry only keeps the place clean of dust :P
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LOL Dahlia. You just never know what Jerry might be getting up to, do you…
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:D
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I see a Jerry’s at if again … haha.
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LOL :)
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I see you’ve left us all wondering about Jerry :). Excellent descriptions and great twist at the end.
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Thanks, Linda :)
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Oooo creepy! You have me watching the shadows after this one!
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Glad you liked it, Laurie, thank you.
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