Friday Fictioneers: Walking In Staten

Friday Fictioneers is hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields who provides us with a photo prompt. Each week’s challenge is to write a 100-word story inspired by the photo. Click here to play along or just read more stories.

PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

Walking In Staten

Staten Island’s annual week-long Greek Jewish Festival was back. Pete Davidson and Wu-Tang Clan were performing. It was the perfect time to take my daughter out for some culture, Kosher Gyros, and Wu.

Someone in the throng bumped me. I turned to notice Hannah was gone. The world tilted. I broke into a sweat. Sounds were garbled. My stomach turned.

I heard the muffled cries of children, “Dad!” “Daddy!” Every one was attached to an adult, and none were Hannah.

A tug on my shirt led to a smiling face and a pointing finger. “Daddy, may we get ice cream?”

Just for fun.

33 thoughts on “Friday Fictioneers: Walking In Staten”

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  11. Dear Nobbin,

    What parent hasn’t experienced that moment of panic? My youngest son was really adept at disappearing and giving me near heart failure. I ended up getting a leash for him. Don’t judge me. At any rate, I felt a rush of relief at the end of your story. 😀

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. I remember the first time I saw kids on leashes. It was in an airport. I was shocked and appalled and thought it was the funniest thing I had ever seen. I said to my friend, “Got leash?” I must have stared because the mother looked at me like “Wait till you have kids.” Kid leashes still make me laugh.

      Anyway, I’m glad I could bring you into the story a make you feel genuine concern. Thank you, Rochelle.

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  12. As already mentioned, the experience you describe so accurately is not uncommon – sheer terror and disorientation. I can also relate to the ‘daddy’ calls that are all around but belong to other people’s children. In my case, of course, it’s ‘Mum’ I hear, and even though my children are now mothers themselves, I often find myself reacting instinctively to another child calling for her mum.

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    1. When I was a kid, my mom told me if we got separated to call her by her name, not “Mom” because every woman in the place would turn her head.

      Thank you. I’m glad to know I accurately captured the parental perspective.

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