PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook
Imelda’s Surprise Part 3
Gecko made it easy to fall in love. When he started asking her to go with other men to prove her love, Imelda didn’t mind. She did wonder if she would have the strength to leave him when she’d saved enough.
Mother’s strategy to hold her backfired, obviating her need to decide. Gecko’s dead eyes watch as Imelda lifts the floorboard and empties his cash box.
~
She finds herself in a place where one can rest between a sky and sea that understand blue.
Her cozy boarding room is paid for a month.
Gecko visits her dreams, eyes twinkling.
[100 words]
Part 3 can stand alone, but if you want to read Parts 1 & 2:
Part 1
Part 2
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the storytelling host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
This story has had me confused a tad. I had to read and re-read parts 1 and 2 and, finally, all clicked into place. I hope.
Mother is “Madame”, who smiled in Part 1 – so I assume she already had had Gecko killed. Only, instead of keeping Imelda home, she has more or less liberated her to escape all of their clutches!
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You got it, Dale! Perhaps Imelda’s greatest surprise, her freedom.
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Woot!!
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p.s. Thanks for taking the time to sort it out <3
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There are times when we read something and the logic doesn’t follow. You read it another day and wonder what you didn’t understand the first time ’round! This was such a case. I’ll blame… um… tiredness, that’s it! ;-)
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I know exactly what you mean.
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Thankfully ;-)
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Imelda came good in the end. I think
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Amazing what a soul can do once untethered. Thank you.
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Great story Lisa…like Dale I had to go back but it fell into place. Once I read all of it in one reading it made sense. That was a cool twist.
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Happy you put it together and it made sense. Thanks for making time for my story.
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That’s a tough way to escape. I wish her well. (K)
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K, I think someone else did the killing, and I hope the police don’t travel far out of their jurisdiction. I have a feeling Mother will do anything she can to pull Imelda back, even it it means caging her in a prison and visiting her :(
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I did get that someone else did the killing. But it’s too bad he had to die so she could be free.
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Your characterisation of Gecko is stunning. Well done.
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Sandra, thanks so much.
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Good ending Li.
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Sadje, thank you. I’m pleased to think she can begin a new life for herself.
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So am I my friend. You’re most welcome
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Go Imelda. Thos dead eyes 😳. Great conclusion and I wish her well with her cash supply all topped up.
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Margaret, love your comment. Yes, she at least has a chance. Thank you.
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This time, I went back and re-read the first two parts BEFORE reading this one, and it all came together just perfectly! Thanks for a fun three-week story :)
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Oh Linda, that makes me smile. I promise I wasn’t trying to be mysterious. Well, maybe a little ;) Thank you, and my pleasure.
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Imelda found her freedom and a new life in the end. Nice one.
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Thanks, Iain!
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it seems like a happy ending, but i have to wait for the next chapter to be sure. :)
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Plaridel, I hope you are a patient person :)
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I missed the first two parts of the story because I was absent so I did go back and read them. Nicely pulled together. I hope Imelda has more than one month’s worth of cash.
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Thanks much, Alicia, glad you see the story coming together. I really hope Gecko had some stacks in his cash box.
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Nicely done. I like the feel of the piece.
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Athling, thank you and glad you connect with it.
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Intriguing story, all parts, Lisa! Imelda is still held captive with Gecko’s visitations in her dreams. I hope one day she will truly be free.
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Brenda, thank you for your insightful comment. I hope so too <3
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Good ending to the trilogy, Lisa. I’m glad she got a place to find peace.
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Thanks, David. I think she picked a lovely spot.
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A happy ending, at least, I think so – only time will tell! A great little threesome, Lisa.
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Thanks so much!
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Ooo part three is the kicker. I hope her life changes for the better now but I think Gecko is going to haunt her for a while yet
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Madam is fickle, Imelda must be careful, unless Imelda is madam’s daughter
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Imelda is Madame’s daughter, but I still think she must be careful. Thanks for reading and commenting, Michael.
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Dear Lisa,
Intriguing continuing story. Thanks to Dale for parsing it out. Hopefully Imelda’s surprise continues to be a good one. RIH Gecko.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle thanks, and yes, Dale’s persistence to get to the essence of things is admirable. LOL on RIH, never saw that acronym before.
Shalom,
Lisa
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A good ending for Imelda but I’m sorry for Gecko. I hope Madame goes to jail now.
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Gabi, yes on Imelda, and agree, death was by no means called for for Gecko. I think Madame is like The Penguin in Batman, a powerful underworld figure that somehow escapes legal accountability. Thanks for reading and your comment.
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So, Gecko’s a pimp, but Madame’s not a madame? Never underestimate a mother. Hell hath no fury and all that. If Imelda isn’t strong enough to break free, Mother will make sure she’s free. Fun murder mystery trilogy.
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Nobbin, thanks for getting into the drama of the story. Glad you liked it :)
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I wonder what Imelda will do once she needs cash again? Great weaving of a 3part story with the prompts.
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I really hope she’s left any unsavory ways behind and will find good, honest labor that doesn’t involve her exploitation. Thanks so much!
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