This week for Friday Fictioneers Rochelle has selected a photo from Bill Reynolds of an old Ford truck that has seen better days. I can imagine it is still in use and has had many repairs, and it looks robust enough for all country jobs.
More Friday Fictioneers stories can be read by clicking on the link HERE
Papa’s Poker Addiction
Last night, we didn’t hear Papa stop the truck behind the trees.
Mama knew he had lost at poker, and she screamed his name as she ran among the cacti.
Carlos cheated Papa with a royal flush every week, but still they played on; hopeless.
We had occasional work harvesting aloe for cents, and we survived.
Father Francisco arrived. He cupped Mama’s hands.
Papa had asked for forgiveness and blessing before his act of redemption.
Together we all shuffled with Mama crying to the church and saw Carlos’s newly formed grave.
Smiling, Papa held up a bag full of money.
James McEwan 
The priest seems delightfully sanguine and Papa unremorseful
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I think Carlos was a nasty character who cheated everyone. Thank you.
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Oh, Papa, what have you done…?
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It’s Okay, Father Francisco gave his blessing!
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Dear James,
Hm. You leave me with many questions here. I hope Papa will mend his ways. But will he?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Addiction and money make up a lethal combination.
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Well… I was starting to think Papa was a fool for going back week after week knowing Carols cheated… Quite the priest this parish has…
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I am not sure the priest understood what his blessings had done for Papa.
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I hope not…
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It seems Papa found a way to win, I’m sure he’ll be forgiven!
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I think he asked forgiveness before the crime…
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it seems that carlos lost a big one this time around. 🙂
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Ah well, Papa could only take so much from a cheater.
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Great story, Jams. I don’t think the truck runs. The odd looking cacti behind it is called mule (or donkey) ear. 🙂
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Thanks Bill. I tried to place the location and thought south Texas. Purely a guess.
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Close enough, James. It sits on a ranch in west Texas. The same one where the girls a pictured eating ice cream.
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You wove a lot from very little.
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Had Father Francisco also lost at poker to Carlos, I wonder? Several twists and turns in this entertaining story, James. I fear Papa will never reform, though.
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I guess not. Mama better get hold of the money first.
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So true, it is difficult to have sympathy for a bad guy, even if the Carlos was unscrupulous.
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Great twists and turns. I guess Papa got truly sick of Carlos cheating every week. Mama better hide that money so Papa doesn’t gamble it all away.
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Oh methinks Carlos got what he deserved…
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Yes, but can Papa live with his action.
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I was feeling all sorry for Papa and his affliction until the last sentence. I don’t think he’s going to be cured of his gambling addiction yet.
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Everyone gets drawn into his downfall. Thank you for reading.
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Mom better use the money fast. Papa will soon be back to his old ways, even if Carlos is not.
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As the saying goes; a leopard can not change its spot. Thank you.
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What a mess. Not a happy childhood for the children.
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Addiction does that to families. Thank you
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Indeed. You’re welcome, James.
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Eee, that ending came unexpected. Well, if he got the blessing, what could go wrong, right?
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Will the priest ever forgive himself? Thanks.
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Carlos paid a high price for cheating. Good story and I liked the detached behaviour of the priest.
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There are no heroes in this story. Thankyou.
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It looks like papa has a smile from ear to ear.
It’s temporary since he’s bound to be behind a cell gate.
Interesting twist for the prompt, James.
Isadora 😎
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Thank you. Yes Papa’s final downfall, let’s hope the money is enough for the family.
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Wow, I did not see that ending coming! And … still not sure how I feel about it. In fact, I believe I will pretend I didn’t just see what I saw. Well told!
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Yes, there are no sense of empathy for Papa, he thinks he has done the right thing, but just made his situation worse…Thank you.
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Papa lost the patience at last.. Intriguing
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I think Papa is in big trouble, but yes perhaps he feels vindicated. Thank you.
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You gotta know when to hold ’em, know the to fold ’em, and know when to kill that cheatin’ bastard who keeps taking your money.
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A sort of wild west solution seems to be to answer. Thank you.
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