Alex smiled at the full moon. She spread a fine batik-print table cloth and laid down her finest cutlery on the table. A delightful aroma came wafting from inside the moored ferry. Her Shrimp Pad-Thai was ready. She poured herself a glass of red and sat down with the papers she had to grade.
Dinner for one!
Ten minutes later, her mobile buzzed once. It was Mr. Stavros who ran a bodega ten miles away.
Alex stopped eating and started cleaning up. She had seven minutes before the Police car passed the ferry.
They haven’t found her squatting yet.
Word Count: 99
Many thanks to our graceful host Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for yet another version of Friday Fictioneers. Today’s prompt is provided by Ted Strutz. I recently read an article about Adjunct Professors having to resort to squatting and in one case prostitution because of their low levels of pay. That hard hitting article was the inspiration behind my today’s offering.
Have you checked out #WordSante, a magical place where your beloved old posts can be resurrected and presented to completely new audience? You should. 🙂
L.E.R.T 
Beautifully crafted story – like the understatement of- glad she had her dinner !
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Such an interesting take on the prompt. I liked the way you lulled us with dinner for one before rushing us out of there. Well done.
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I shall consider my mission – accomplished. Thank you for the kind words, Sarah Ann.
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Wow.Awesome read
Click Here to see what Mrs. Dash Says
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Thank you very much
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I gather from the replies that this is based on someone’s truth. You wrote a good story that I could visualise easily. Sad to think it is someone’s reality.
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Thank you for the kind words, Irene. This is part-based on reality. I would recommend the article I have linked along with this post.
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Well penned Varad. I read the article too – shocking and disturbing.
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Indeed! And still, they carry on doing what they love. Hats off to them.
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What a resourceful woman! Maybe she likes to live this way 🙂
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She has managed to keep up her standards with the cutlery and so on! It’s amazing that people can do a job like that and still not get paid enough to keep a roof over their head.
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The unfortunate reality, Ali. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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living the life even for a moment. it’s a good start for dreams to come true.
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Really good writing. I had no idea where this was headed. Loved the surprise ending.
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Thank you, Linda. Homelessness is a serious issue and it’s really sad to see academicians suffer from it as well.
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Indeed. I was teacher for many years, so I could identify.
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Sad we have lost the zeal and courage for even a semi-revolution.
Great creation, Varad.
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Thank you, Moon!
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Lucky for her that she has Mr. Stavros watching her back, but what an awful situation to be in!
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Indeed! There are still some kind hearts out there. But, this story is a figment of my imagination born from a very real situation unfolding out there. My heart goes out to them.
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I hope there are at least a lot of real-life Mr. Stavros’es out there, helping as they can.
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Your story started out so well, and then came that ending.
Click to read my FriFic!
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Thank you, Keith.
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What a disturbing situation. Hope there is a better future waiting for Alex! Well written, Varad
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There are a lot of Alex-s in the real world, Lavanya. It’s rather unfortunate that they have to suffer just because they decided to remain in a profession they love. Thanks for the comment.
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I love batik prints.
Teaching is a very noble profession and it is sad and disturbing to hear that academicians have to find an alternate source of income to keep going. Good story from your pen, Varad.
https://ideasolsi65.blogspot.in/2017/10/stardust.html
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Thank you, Kalpana. The reality is often strange and shocking than fiction.
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I was lost but reading the reference put the pieces together- that was a disturbing one- but well written as always. I can’t imagine things can get so bad for academicains
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Beyond our rose-tinted windows, there is a real world where such well-qualified people are struggling to make ends meet. Just not in the US, but this is global. I was stunned to read the article I had linked. I just hope things improve. Thanks for the comment, Akshata
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Dear Varad,
Very disturbing story. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle, I was disturbed to read the article. I hope they find a better day awaiting them. Shalom, Varad.
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She keeps a very fluid address, I see…
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Sadly, yes!
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That moment of freedom between the passage of police cars… housing is always such an obstacle for society… is it money or simply that there are no living available?
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Adam Smith envisioned the demand and supply factor long before we have increased the population a hundredfold.
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What a horrid situation. Get an education, you’ll get a great job. Right. Obviously, not always. So very sad, Varad. That is disturbing indeed.
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Indeed, Dale. My Mom is a teacher, so this story struck a chord with me. I wish they see better days doing what they truly love.
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I don’t think anyone who goes into teaching imagines it could end up like this…
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There are some who get into teaching for lack of options. But the majority are there for the shear pleasure of it. I salute them.
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Most of the teachers I know definitely chose it. And I salute them, too!
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That’s shameful, isn’t it? Professionals being paid so badly. Nice twist at the end Varad and a good point to make in prose
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So true! I just hope the students impacted by them rally around and help them.
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I hope so too
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What a horrible way to live for people doing such an important job.
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Very true! I was very disturbed to read that article. But we have to salute those educators who remain in the profession despite their woes
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