The Friday Fictioneer Challenge: Write a 100-word story based on the photo.
Photo copyright Sandra Crook
Just Returning the Favor
Senior opened another whiskey bottle. “You were wild, needed discipline. I did you a favor.” That’s how Senior always rationalized dragging Chuck to the tree for a whipping. His father’s drinking and his belt were a dangerous combination for Chuck. It was years ago, but his emotional scars still matched his physical ones.
With research, Chuck discovered humans could die in three days without water. High temperatures and alcohol could shorten that timeline.
In the August heat, Chuck drove away from the deserted farm, leaving drunken Senior under the tree with his memories and whiskey. Just returning the favor, Dad.
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The photographer, Sandra Crook, is also a Friday Fictioneer author. Check out Sandra’s story here.
To read other Friday Fictioneer stories based on this photo, select the smiley blue frog.
It's a long story ... 
Wow!
Sent from my iPhone
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Don’t mess with Chuck.
Isn’t that the truth!
What goes around comes around. I hope Chuck manages to deal with his hurt and anger before he commits to any kind of permanent relationship. Can hardly blame him for his treatment of his father, but from a therapist’s perspective, he’s in for an unhappy life even without his mean, abusive father in the picture. Sad.
Chuck knows why he is hurting, but he’s not sure what to do about it. He knows that killing his father will not fix anything, but he has so much pain and anger he does it anyway.
Nice little chiller
You’ve written an economical and effective story about a grim subject. I’m with Linda on Chuck’s need for help before he commits to a relationship.
Yikes! Chuck is broken. I just hope he doesn’t become a mutated version of his dad later on.
That’s what Chuck wants, as well.
I fear the hurt here will survive the beatings, even after the revenge, which I find sad.