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.
Click the frog to join
Fatima Fakier 
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.
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The piano was indicative of her dreams of making it in the music business and not succeeding. Yet. Hopefully, she achieves it.
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I liked him not believing her but going anyway.
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Well I guess he didn’t want to push the idea since she told him otherwise. Thank you, Neil.
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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.
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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.
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Ahh yes! That’s why she is comfortable behind the piano. 🤗
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There is a larger story behind this and I wonder why she sleeps behind the piano. Her boss knows.
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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.
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There’s a huge story condensed into this little vignette. Well done!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you, Susan. Glad to have brought it to life for you.
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Great story Fatima. Illustrative of the “starving artist.” At least she still has her piano and a safe place to stay.
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I think she feels grateful for the safety of her shelter too. Maybe all she is missing is wifi 😉
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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
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The piano and her dreams certainly mean a lot to her. Thank you, Rochelle.
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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.
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Those are great tips! Thank you 🙂
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Comes from experience. Had to live that way for a while on more than one occasion.
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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.
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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.
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Such a story of sadness but also one of hope. Well-done.
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Thank you, Jade. 🙂
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You’re welcome 🙂
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Were her actions out of pride? Or was he a bit creepy?
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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.
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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!
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She has resilience, I think she is on her way up.
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Beautifully sad, thank you. I hope she will be ok.
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I am sure she is a fighter. 😉 thank you, Siobhan for reading and commenting!
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i guess it’ll do for a while. it’s better than sleeping in the streets.
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Far better than the streets, and she is safer too.
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I hope this is temporary. Sounds as if she could use a helping hand.
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Eventually, she may either accept help from friends or she will improve her situation.
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Asiya sounds like a strong, ambitious girl. The piano seems to be the best friend she has right now.
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To be homeless is such a shame for people…. come time she might need the mattress with friends.
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Where there is a will, there is a way. Let us hope she succeeds so she can make a living…
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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.
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There’s more to it. Thanks for keeping us in suspense.
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