Vagabond dreams

PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll

Clive dusted his hands. “All done for today. Your entire life in one small unit.”

“A unit with the dimensions of a grave.” Asiya quipped. She forced a smile.

“You know, I have a spare mattress at home, if you ever…”

“Oh! that’s okay. I’m staying with a friend.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, said goodbye and left. She didn’t think he believed her.

She made sure he was gone. Then she unlocked the door to the storage unit, walked through it and locked it behind her.

She hid behind her piano and settled in for the night.

100 words

Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Write a story in 100 words or less. Submit your flash fiction to the gods by clicking on the blue frog.

bigfred

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Responses

  1. Iain Kelly avatar
    Iain Kelly

    Needs must – ironically her storage space is better than a lot of less fortunate people have. Hope she can make a go of it in the end.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      The piano was indicative of her dreams of making it in the music business and not succeeding. Yet. Hopefully, she achieves it.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. neilmacdon avatar
    neilmacdon

    I liked him not believing her but going anyway.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Well I guess he didn’t want to push the idea since she told him otherwise. Thank you, Neil.

      Like

      Reply
  3. Darnell Cureton avatar
    Darnell Cureton

    This has all the hooks of a continued story. Would love to know why she is homeless and would not accept help from a friend. Nice Job.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Her backstory is she left home to make it in the music business and has not yet succeeded. And now is homeless. And maybe too proud to depend on friends. Although I think she could have taken Clive up on his offer. Thank you, Darnell.

      Like

      Reply
      1. Darnell Cureton avatar
        Darnell Cureton

        Ahh yes! That’s why she is comfortable behind the piano. 🤗

        Liked by 1 person

  4. James McEwan avatar
    James McEwan

    There is a larger story behind this and I wonder why she sleeps behind the piano. Her boss knows.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Thank you, James. Guess she doesn’t want anyone to find her and kick her out. I’m not sure if the storage company would allow it. Something like that.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. Susan A Eames avatar
    Susan A Eames

    There’s a huge story condensed into this little vignette. Well done!

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Thank you, Susan. Glad to have brought it to life for you.

      Like

      Reply
  6. Girl in Niagara avatar
    Girl in Niagara

    Great story Fatima. Illustrative of the “starving artist.” At least she still has her piano and a safe place to stay.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      I think she feels grateful for the safety of her shelter too. Maybe all she is missing is wifi 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. rochellewisoff avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Fatima,

    It seems she’s spending the night with a very special friend. A whole story packed into 100 words of storage space. Nicely done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      The piano and her dreams certainly mean a lot to her. Thank you, Rochelle.

      Like

      Reply
  8. bearmkwa avatar
    bearmkwa

    At least she has the blessing of a storage unit. She’ll be out of the weather, and a can of sterno will heat it just fine. Great story, despite it’s dismal content.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Those are great tips! Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. bearmkwa avatar
        bearmkwa

        Comes from experience. Had to live that way for a while on more than one occasion.

        Like

      2. Fatima Fakier avatar
        Fatima Fakier

        Yes I thought so. I didnt want to jump to conclusions though. It must bring back memories. Some people live in their cars too if they have one. Hopefully, you are settled these days.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. bearmkwa avatar
        bearmkwa

        I am, thankfully. Such experiences do serve to teach one what is truly important in life. You can live without most of the “stuff” that you think you need. A simpler lifestyle and more joy included.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. msjadeli avatar
    msjadeli

    Such a story of sadness but also one of hope. Well-done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Thank you, Jade. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. msjadeli avatar
        msjadeli

        You’re welcome 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  10. Tannille avatar
    Tannille

    Were her actions out of pride? Or was he a bit creepy?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      She could have been creeped out too. A lot of women are wary of such offers, unless they are very good friends. Thank you, Tannille.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. Keith's Ramblings avatar
    Keith’s Ramblings

    I guess even the storage unit feels more like home than someone’s spare room and a mattress. I’d like to think that if you had another hundred words to use she’d go on to achieve her dream.

    Here’s my tale!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      She has resilience, I think she is on her way up.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. siobhan1967 avatar
    siobhan1967

    Beautifully sad, thank you. I hope she will be ok.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      I am sure she is a fighter. 😉 thank you, Siobhan for reading and commenting!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. plaridel avatar
    plaridel

    i guess it’ll do for a while. it’s better than sleeping in the streets.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Far better than the streets, and she is safer too.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. granonine avatar
    granonine

    I hope this is temporary. Sounds as if she could use a helping hand.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Eventually, she may either accept help from friends or she will improve her situation.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. magarisa avatar
    magarisa

    Asiya sounds like a strong, ambitious girl. The piano seems to be the best friend she has right now.

    Like

    Reply
  16. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) avatar
    Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    To be homeless is such a shame for people…. come time she might need the mattress with friends.

    Like

    Reply
  17. Dale avatar
    Dale

    Where there is a will, there is a way. Let us hope she succeeds so she can make a living…

    Like

    Reply
  18. Eugenia Parrish Author avatar
    Eugenia Parrish Author

    Very well done. I could sense a whole history behind her actions. I’ve slept in cars and had a friend who threw a sleeping bag down in his store after he closed. Totally illegal, but ya do what ya gotta do.

    Like

    Reply
  19. larry trasciatti avatar
    larry trasciatti

    There’s more to it. Thanks for keeping us in suspense.

    Like

    Reply

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