PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot
George remembers the last time he was more than fifty miles from his cabin. Helena invited him to ballet in Lansing. Her fragrance distracted him through the performance. He’d invited her in when they got back, when body hunger overruled taut reason. At summer’s end, reason returned; there was no room for a woman in his life.
Twenty years later, he’s across an ocean, waiting outside a university building.
“Hello, father.”
George’s head swivels to see a tall young man. Gianni, his son. It’s like looking at a clone of himself forty years ago.
“Gianni, I’m sorry.”
“Dad, it’s OK.”
[100 words]
Afterword: This is the third and final chapter of this 3-part Friday Fictioneers story. To me, the most important facts are that George and Gianni each knows the other exists; that George has regrets about not continuing a relationship with Helena all those years ago; and that Gianni harbors no ill will towards his father. I hope you’ve enjoyed the story as much as I did writing it.
If you missed reading parts 1 and 2, go here.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the creative host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
A good ending…if only all were like this. (K)
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<3
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Seriously!
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I love how you ended your story on a positive note.
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Sadje, thank you. I could see no other ending for these two <3
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Awesome 👏🏼
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Sometimes there is not denying parentage.
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Says I. :/
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Too true, Dawn. I’m glad they were (re)united.
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I’ll have to catch up on parts 1 & 2, but this seems like a happy ending!
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Thank you, Ian :)
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A perfect conclusion, I’m pleased I was one of several who begged you to continue with the story!
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Keith, I’m glad you enjoyed the story and how it ended :)
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Since George new about Gianni, I hope he at least sent some financial support. And maybe now, they can make up for lost time.
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Someone, I think that George and Gianni have many things to discuss. Maybe George could even rent a flat in Zurich and enjoy the mountain air…
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I read the other two parts. I feel you did a phenomenal job of ending the story. I like that Gianni understood the relationship with his mother. Great ending … good character names too.
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Isadora, thank you and so glad you enjoyed the story <3
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A beautiful ending to a very nice three part story. I read all 3 parts just now. It’s always nice to end on a note of closure methinks.
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Thank you, OP. Because we usually don’t do stories with parts at Friday Fictioneers, 3 parts was really pushing the limit so I had to end on a note of closure. I do like the idea of continuing the story elsewhere though. Catching up on two lifetimes could fill a lot of chapters :)
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I’ll need to read the first parts – got me inrigued 😊
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I can almost taste the guilt floating in the air.
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great, how do they go from here. :)
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:)
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A happy reunion :)
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:)
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How lovely that no grudges are held. Not often the case.
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Maybe they will surface after the honeymoon is over? Where each feels comfortable enough to share all, the good, the bad, and the ugly, with each other. With family it is what you hope it will be. Thank you, Sandra.
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A happy story in the end! I love that he was willing to meet his grandson, and, like you said, his grandson had no ill feelings but was pleased to meet his grandfather. I read all three parts. Lovely story, Lisa. :)
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Thanks much, Brenda. Gianni is actually his son that he never knew he had.
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Ooo. I love how this story unfolded. Feels complete now.
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Thanks much, T.
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Dear Lisa,
Here’s hoping for a bond to develop between father and son. I love a happy ending. This made me smile.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, very happy you enjoyed the story. Thank you. It is my hope also <3
Shalom,
Lisa
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What a great 3 part story. Well done and well told.
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Thanks, Laurie!
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Good ending. I feel a bit sorry for George, with ‘no room for a woman in his life’. I like the line ‘body hunger overruled taut reason’. Says it all.
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Thank you, Margaret. I think he was too wrapped up in his ornithology.
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Haha. 😊
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Wonderful!
It’s been known to happen a time or two.
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Thanks, Nancy :)
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They can never make up for the years missed, but they build with the years they have left.
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Exactly, Nobbin.
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