The morning fatback sizzled in the pan as little bits of grease jumped and danced, burning her arms. She opened the window, letting the honeysuckle-kissed breeze in. She could hear cicada’s again, that meant her daughter would be turning thirteen years old, somewhere. Her daughter was an octoroon, so maybe she had a chance, wherever that somewhere was. She put her hands over her face at these thoughts of her daughter. The baby cooed in her cradle next to the sideboard and the woman went to her immediately, picking her up gently. “Shhhh, your momma’ll be up right soon,” she told the baby with a whisper, patting her softly on the back. Upstairs, the sounds of the baby’s mother and father rising began. And she took a deep breath, wondering if this day would be a good one, or a bad one.
———————————————————————————————————————————
Friday Fictioneers: 100 word stories inspired by a photo that Rochelle Wisoff Fields posts every week. This week’s photo courtesy of Valerie Barrett.
Mostly Words 
Lovely sad description
Thank you, Neil!
She has to do a lot of work. Seems to be a nice caring lady. May her day be great!
Wish you a great week!
Three Musketeers – Anita
Thank you, Anita!
Nice little morning scene but with the very sad background of the absent daughter, and her not even knowing where she is.
Thank you!! 🙂
Expertly written. So sad that skin colour seems to be the deciding factor in who ‘has a chance’ and who doesn’t.
Thank you, Iain…. I wasn’t sure if anyone would understand the skin colour factor… as “octoroon” isn’t exactly well used anymore.
-Rachel
Dear Rachel,
You set the stage and time in few words. Beautifully written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you so much, Rochelle!!
So much emotion in but a handful of words. Beautiful.
Rosey invited me to lunch!
Thank you, Keith!
That was so real, so emotional, it gave me a chill. Thank you!
~Donna
https://authorshutterbug.wordpress.com/
Thank you so much!!
This was beautifully written, Rachel. It just broke my heart.
Thank you, Dale!
A world of the domestic servant, well described.
Thank you, James!
There is so much said in this, such a calm domestic scene and the horror of losing the daughter and caring for other people’s kids instead. I had to look up octoroon and now I see her as a slave and wonder who the daughter’s father was.
I have to admit I had to research the term as well before writing the story. And I was worried that no one would really understand the slave element.
Thank you!!
-Rachel
A beautiful rendering of an unspeakable, unconscionable reality.
Thank you!!
You are welcome.
Beautifully written.
Thank you so much!
A heartbreaking but well-written story, Rachel. That’s a fight to survive and help your children survive. —- Suzanne
Thank you, Suzanne!
Someone remembering her own daughter while taking care of someone else child. Morning scene so beautifully described while peace is broken by rising master and mistress.
Yes…
Thank you so much!
The ordeal of being servant and having to care for the children of the privileged while not know where your own is… sad
Very sad!!
Thank you, Björn!
there is a world of emotion and experience in this short piece. Excellent.
Thank you so much!