PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Pieces
“You need help.”
And I walked away wondering what is wrong with…me?
You did help me. You’ve taught me so much.
Like saying “you need help” without offering to help is actually an insult. Also, sometimes “really good people” are perfectly okay with shattering you, leaving you to pick up the-
Anyway. Now I know. There are people out there willing to take credit for doing nothing. That’s what they do, how they apparently thrive.
But I’m not magic. I can’t turn shards of glass into a mirror.
…
This is my weekly story for Friday Fictioneers. This year the picture is from Rochelle, our fearless leader, writer, and a good photographer too. For more stories, click the blue Froggy!
Anne Higa 
Had to read it twice and sadly yes, there are lots of people like that out there. We have to sniff them out, then avoid them!
I’m glad she figured him out, and hopefully gets away from him.
Thanks Iain
A life in pieces? That was such an interesting piece to read. Great take on the photo prompt!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Thank you Susan
There’s outrage and depth in this. I liked it a lot
Thanks Neil
Wow that last line was very powerful
Thanks Laurie
Very true.
Agree with you.
Alas! None of us know magic.
Wish we could heal and restore the mirror and have no more broken pieces…
Thanks Anita. So true.
Intense and powerful.
Thanks!
Acutely observed.
Thanks Sandra
A thought-provoking piece indeed.. Excellent.
Click to read my FriFic!
Thanks Keith
Dear Anne,
Yes, there are those people out there. Alas, they suck the life from others and are, sadly, unavoidable. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
I’m confused Anne, I get the rude behavior,but who helps who with what teaching? -You did help me. You’ve taught me so much. – Everyone else seems to understand the story,,,, is the lesson – “It’s difficult to take a hard look at one’s self?
Dan, Yeah sorry if it’s unclear. I had a hard time fitting this one into 100 words. I actually had more dialogue but had to take it out. Basically, the idea is that the other person in the story is very condescending. They said “You need help” meaning I am better than you and you need help. But I am not going to help you. At first this made the narrator felt put-down but then slowly realizing that maybe they are not the one with the problem – and ironically the person *did* help them by making them realize this.
The last line (in my head how it’s supposed to work) is saying that no matter what the narrator can’t just be a reflection of the other person, can’t just puff up their ego in other words. Because first the narrator was shattered and then in retrospect the narrators image of the other person was shattered. One of those ultimately you can’t build yourself up by tearing other people down sort of things.
I know it would have been so much better with more narration. I’m glad it resonated with some people on a level, and I think whatever the takeaway is fine. It’s a story although I’ll admit not one of my best. Like any story, you can take it as you like. Sorry for the lack of clarity. Hope you had a great weekend!
No need to apologize Anne. “Pieces” made me think. In fact it reminded me of a time I stopped by a new neighbor as they were laying sod. I couldn’t stay, and had no business interrupting there work. Silly me. It was like “You’re doing manual labor, and I’m not.” I did feel stupid after stopping and introducing myself. Sheeeesh, what a dope.
I don’t think it’s ever wrong to introduce yourself to a neighbor, as long as you are fast about it if they’re busy. I’ve occasionally only seen neighbors in passing and said hi I’m your neighbor and vice versa. And yardwork is usually when that happens. Now if someone tries to start a conversation while I’m busy that would be annoying. Either way, it’s not a horrible thing to do in my opinion. Just like come on it’s getting dark and cold and I need to get this done. Just felt like I had to say that in case you’re like me with social anxiety. I know I can sometimes beat myself up over social interactions which were at worst neutral. Thanks for sharing that story with me, Dan.
Totally agree with you, Anne.
“There are people out there willing to take credit for doing nothing.”
I have been thinking about this after some recent experiences.
But, then whenever I learn such lessons, I think such people are teachers who are asking us to mend our ways & beware 🙂 🙂
Have a great week!
Thanks Anita. I like that way of looking at it: lessons to be learned. Hope you have a great week too!
I read this as ‘stories from a survivor’; I don’t know whether it’s a real event that happened to you, or a work of true fiction, but I like the strength and wisdom conveyed by the narrator.