If you like my work, buy me a virtual cup of coffee at Ko-Fi.
How did I end up like this?
Look at this. A baby walker, little kiddie motorized truck, and the worst of it, a mega-propane barbecue.
This isn’t me. It was never me. I guess that’s the point, though.
“Alan? Can you come in and help me change the baby’s diaper?”
“Yeah, Hon. In a minute.” I sound just like some stupid suburban husband. I mutter, “The name’s Ricco.”
I shrug my shoulders and start trudging up the back steps. Diapers. Married. Barbecues. It’s not me, but then the mob won’t be looking for a hit man turned state’s evidence here.
Time once again to participate in Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 9 June 2023 edition of Friday Fictioneers. The idea is to use the image above as the prompt to craft a poem or short story of no more than 100 words. My word count is exactly 100.
Not being in a particularly lighthearted mood, I needed to figure out how to turn this cozy suburban scene into something else. I guess the Witness Protection Program is as good an excuse as any.
To read other stories based on the prompt, go to Inlinkz.
To read more of my published fiction, consider Ice.
At the end of time, the world is hot and men travel the vast oceans in merchant sailing ships. Captain Ki-Moon Yong of the Star of Jindo has discovered a new horror at the bottom of the world. Can he and the Star escape disaster long enough to warn a disbelieving world?


James, very good spin on the image. If he keeps his tattoos hidden, he’ll blend right in.
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A lot of people have tats in the burbs these days. Of course if they’re prison tats, they could be a problem. Thanks.
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Where I worked you had to cover your tats, but I’m sure workplaces are getting more lenient with the lack of workers. You’re welcome.
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Nice curve ball.
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Thanks.
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I was never involved with the mob, but I can relate, as I’m sure a lot of parents can. This wasn’t the dream growing up!
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As I recall, this is more or less the end of the 1990s film “Goodfellas.” https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099685/
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Hidden in plain sight! Nice one, James.
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Thanks, Keith.
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He best keep his mutterings to himself and learn to love the new life!
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I’m not sure how much his wife knows. Maybe she’s really a U.S. deputy Marshall assigned to watch him. 😉
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Oh dear… That does complicate things!
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It sure would.
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Great twist James 🙂
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Thanks.
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Didn’t see that coming. Nice twist.
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Thank you, Sheena.
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Great twist though I suspect the Mob would look everywhere:)
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Thanks, but there’s a lot of territory to cover.
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Nice one! May he live well and long, although I doubt he will be happy.
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He isn’t necessarily a nice guy so who knows? Thanks.
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His poor wife. How long can he keep this up? Yikes!
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As long as he wants to live.
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Good twist a the end. Nicely done.
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Thanks.
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