Afterwards, all they talked about was how ordinary she had been.
She’d come to work at eight on the dot. She baked cakes for birthdays. She smiled and knew everybody’s name. Her desk was covered in little plush penguins – there was a new one every week.
The only odd thing was those very long vacations she took.
So when the news came in that she’d died in action, defusing a nuclear bomb while under attack by domestic terrorists on a stolen bomber over New York City, everyone was a little surprised.
They’d miss her cakes, her smiles, and her penguins.
Word Count: 100
This is for Friday Fictioneers. Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for running the challenge and Claire Sheldon for providing the prompt photo!
Wow. Talk about a double life.
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Thank you! Yes, she did a good job hiding the truth.
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She died in action. Bravo.
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Thank you!
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I think we all have secrets… but these were larger than most.
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Just a little. 😉 Thanks for commenting!
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You really can’t judge a book by i! I loved this.
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Thank you!
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Similar to my other fantasy job! 🙂
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Not sure my fantasy job would be anything quite so dangerous. Thanks for commenting!
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This would be a sad future, and likely a story never told!
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Sad, but she died for a good cause. Thanks for commenting!
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Wow, makes you wonder what kind of double lives the people you pass by on the street every day are living. Well done!
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Thank you!
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Wow! That is AWESOME! What a completely opposite side of the proverbial coin she led in life. Reminds me of our old neighbor… A Marine! He was tall, very well muscled, a real and honest to goodness badass of a man…served spec. forces. Anyway, when he was home he was often seen carrying around the tiniest little teacup chihauhau you ever saw. A big old teddy bear of a man. So gentle and sweet… glad I never saw him in battle. After all, you know what they say….
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Thank you! Seems like an interesting man.
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Ms Jekyll and Dr Jekyll. Very innovative.
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Thank you!
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A lady Clark Kent, well done.
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Thank you! Didn’t think of that comparison even though I’m a massive Superman fan. Probably in the back of my mind as I was writing.
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I love the way you tell this story, by describing first of all how ordinary she had been. You have given it extra emotional depth by doing that. We can all empathize with a conscientious colleague especially when she bakes cakes.
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Thank you!
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Dear Joshua,
She was definitely NOT an ordinary woman. 😉 Well done. I love the contrast.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you!
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Sometimes you never REALLY know who you are sat next to or near at work
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Very true. Thanks for commenting!
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Wow! Far from ordinary and sad that no one will really miss her all that much… She did a good job of seeming totally ordinary
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Won’t they? Seems to me that being remembered for smiles, penguins, and cakes isn’t that bad.
Thanks for commenting!
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There is that! I think the style of writing made me feel they were nonchalant about her.
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Wow, she really played her cover well!
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She certainly did. Thanks for commenting!
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