PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Invisible Shadows
The car’s rev and the garage door’s gentle rumble tells Maurice his sister’s family is leaving for the annual feast at Maryjane’s house. He remembers Maryjane’s turtle cheesecake and starts drooling.
Maurice wiggles out of the sleeping bag carefully hidden in Susie’s shed. He makes his way to her back slider and jimmies the lock.
Maurice scrounges the freezer, chooses a casserole that won’t be missed, and nukes it. After eating warm casserole and taking a dump, he takes a long, hot shower. Nabs clean clothes from deep in Jim’s dresser. He dozes on Susie and Jim’s bed.
[98 words]
Please pray for the unhoused.
Please pray for family outcasts.
Please pray for those who are struggling with mental health issues.
Please pray for those who are struggling with substance abuse issues.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
I understand the message but “Turtle cheesecake?”
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https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/layered-turtle-cheesecake/
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So, no actual turtles.
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Awesome story Li :-) my prayers go out to all you mentioned!
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Thanks, CA :)
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I wonder if the family have chosen not to notice
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Good question, Neil.
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Turtle Cheesecake (ahhhh as Homer Simpson drooling)…glad Maurice ate!
Totally agree on your four requests… have a Merry Christmas Lisa!
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Thanks Max. Happy Holidays!
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A very moving story dear friend. So tough being homeless in any weather but winter is the hardest.
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Thanks, Sadje. Winter can be a killer for them.
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Yes so true and so sad
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Many unanswered questions here, Lisa. I wonder if his family would welcome him.
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Thanks, Nancy, for reading. One can hope…
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Excellent story and message Lisa 🩷
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Thank you very much, Ange.
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Thank you for bringing in the unhoused, the outcasts and those struggling with addictions and other life challenges.
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You are welcome. There are a lot of them about.
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There certainly are. More and more. 😢
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Oh dear
It’s terrible he has no where to live but I’m not sure I’d like a stranger rifling through my things
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Laurie, you could say it’s complicated. He is not a stranger ; he’s the brother of one of the owners of the home.
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p.s. Thanks for reading and your thoughtful comment.
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Amen.
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A good story and a good message, Li.
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Chris, thanks much.
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When I went out to refill my bird feeder this morning, our shed door was open. Too often hubby forgets to lock it – thankfully when I told him about it he mentioned that he was in it yesterday aftenoon. I was concerned because we have had some thefts in the neighborhood (last year anyway).
A prayer was offered. Thank you – and Amen.
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I used to keep my bird feed in metal cans out in the carport, but some critter learned how to open them (guessing raccoons or possums?) so now I keep them in the entryway. Glad they didn’t raid your storage container.
Sorry you have/had to worry about thieves in your neighborhood, Jules. Glad nothing was missing.
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p.s. Thank you for the prayers. They are needed more than ever.
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I have my seed on my porch… one time I left it out in a plastic container that the squirrels ate through! I had thought I heard the shed door flapping in the wind… but when you don’t expect something you sometimes ignore it.
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prayers for all mentioned and others too….lovely n touching tale…
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Nandini, thanks for reading and the prayers <3
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Dear Lisa,
A poignant story that has me wondering what happened to Maurice. Prayers always for homeless. So many stories out there. Scary because it can happen to anyone.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I wonder also. Thanks for the prayers. And yes, it can.
Shalom,
Lisa
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