PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
A Tomorrow
She clutches the filthy handkerchief as she hacks. Dull pain radiates from her dying lungs and into her weary chest walls. Mira bends over, rag catching red mud. Some remains at the corner of her mouth.
“Call them,” she wheezes with what little breath she has left.
“Mum, you promised,” says Ricky, his ten-year-old face scrunched with fear.
“I know, hun, but I’ve changed my mind,” she says as she wipes the dribble away. “I want to see you grow up.”
Ricky dials.
They are packed, ready, when the large, full transport taxi arrives next day.
Mars, here we come.
[100 words]
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the host of Friday Fictioneers.
I love the new banner!
Tao Talk 
very good Lisa :-) I enjoyed your take!
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Thanks!
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Hopefully Elon is not along for the ride. (K)
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Or maybe take him along and toss him out halfway there?
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I like that idea.
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I’ve always wanted to go to Mars, although it probably won’t happen at the rate we’re going. I like the ideas you’re hinting at. Very interesting.
Have a great week!
David
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Glad you found the concept interesting, thanks. You also have a great week.
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Great take on the photo, Lisa. I don’t think it is ever gonna happen, but it makes for great sci-fi, doesn’t it? At least we got to the Moon!
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Bruce we are gods with our pens, you know that. Anything can happen.
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Yes! YES!
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<3
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Very interesting story
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Thank you very much, Sadje.
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You’re most welcome dear friend
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love this Lisa – you kept us wondering what/where she wanted to go great story🙌
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Ange, thanks much :)
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😀
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That last line took me by surprise!
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Good! :)
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I hope they get there safely.
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Me Too, Barnadette. Thanks for reading and your comment.
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At this point, why not? Give it a go before it truly is the end. Wonderful write, Lisa.
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Dale, thanks so much. You’re right.
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Absolutely! Goes with my second FF ;-)
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I’m behind on reading FF. too busy playing video games lol
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Video games, eh? Always nice to take time for yourself, I say.
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:)
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Great piece, hooks me.
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Thank you very much, Paul.
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Great take. All that red made me think of Mars too.
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Yes. I imagined them there, lounging by the pool. The Martian climate heals her lungs, and her son writes poems about Earth.
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it doesn’t bode well, but i wish them luck.
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96 words that had me thinking, then 4 that I really didn’t expect! Nice one, Lisa!
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Keith happy you were entertained by the story, thanks!
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Excellent
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Thanks, Steve.
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It is always a heart ache when the little ones just want to break free from the family, mothers in particular.
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Dear Lisa,
You have me wondering what kind of cure is waiting on Mars. I enjoyed your take and want to know more.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, good question. Maybe also hoping her son will have a better chance of surviving? Thanks much,
Shalom,
Lisa
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Interplanetary excursions- the cure for what ails ya! Excellent twist.
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V, glad you liked the story, my friend.
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Feom bad air to no air, from too hot to freezing cold… I wonder if Mars really heps her unless this is far, far in the future and the planed has been terraformed. That was an interesting and unexpected take, Lisa. Sorry if I’m getting hung up on facts, but Mars is ‘my baby’ … 😂
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Gabi, I’m going to say it is set in a future where your baby is terraformed and the medical developments there can 3D print new lungs for her. Will that work? ;)
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Absolutely.
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Absolutely gorgeous sunset.
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Rochelle snapped a good one :)
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She sure did. 🤓
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That’s really good, Li! Mars, eh?
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:) Thanks, Chris!
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Decisions based on desperation never end up well. I hope it goes OK for them on another world
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Thanks so much, and yes, I agree about desperate measures. Maybe they will be exceptions to the rule, as you hope.
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nice twist Lisa, my initial thought was cancer with the red handkerchief
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Thanks, Roy. It very well could be.
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Nice twist the complete story unfolds in 100 words.
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Thanks much :)
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