Comment from Julie Lau

Excellent

That's funny! and so much left unexplained! John can't explain - he has dementia. Maybe he'll want to go home with Shirley. And those terrible tats in the picture, whooo! Did the pic inspire the story? Good luck in the contest. Julie

 Comment Written 26-Mar-2023

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reply by the author on 26-Mar-2023

Lol. Super review. No, I wrote the story first, but then had some trouble finding a good picture of an old man with tatts visible to everyone. I think John might be best to withdraw into his dementia- otherwise he has a lot of explaining to do. Lol. Thanks so much for your great review.
Wendy

Comment from GWHARGIS

Excellent

Movie of the week here. Call Hollywood. In such a short bit of writing, you have managed to rev up the questions and the drama. Maybe do a flash piece from him as he stands between the two women. Past and present. This was a very fun read. Thank you for posting. Gretchen

 Comment Written 26-Mar-2023

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reply by the author on 26-Mar-2023

Lol. Wonderful review- many thanks. Lol. Would have loved to see their faces (even though it?s fiction!) and yes, it could be expanded. What an idea!!
Wendy

Comment from Verna Cole Mitchell

Excellent

Wow! You did it again! So much to think about in a short-short story. Quite a surprise ending there, which you do so well. This leads to speculation - What happened next?

 Comment Written 26-Mar-2023

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reply by the author on 26-Mar-2023

I would love to know what happens next too. I think John would do well to withdraw into his dementia or he has a lot of explaining to do! Lol. Fortunately, I made up the story.
Wendy.

reply by Verna Cole Mitchell on 27-Mar-2023

Smile!

Comment from patcelaw

Excellent

I wish you the very best in the contest. When I saw the title of your story, I was reminded of this song that my kids used to sing in girl Scouts. It went. Make new friends, but keep the old one is silver and the other is gold. Patricia.

 Comment Written 26-Mar-2023

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reply by the author on 26-Mar-2023

That?s a lovely thought. Both precious. Many thanks for your thoughtful review.
Wendy

Comment from Pantygynt

Excellent

This is to prose what Haiku is to poetry.

I note this is described as fiction because if it wasn't we would have a problem on our hands. Loss of memory can be terribly convenient at times.

 Comment Written 26-Mar-2023

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reply by the author on 26-Mar-2023

Great comparison. Lol. Yes I made it up, but at the same time I would have loved to see their faces. I think he?d be best to withdraw into his dementia, or he?ll have quite a bit of explaining to do. Lol.
By the way I adopted your suggestions for my longer essay, and the pruning I think was very effective. Thank you so much again.
Wendy

reply by Pantygynt on 27-Mar-2023

As with horticulture, pruning is usually beneficial.

Comment from Mrs. KT

Excellent

Wouldn't that be a "kicker?" Wendy!
Woah!
A well-crafted "Dribble Flash Fiction" that is certainly within the realm of possibilities.
Would love to have been "a fly on the wall" as this situation was sorted!
Your writing always makes me smile!

Thank you for sharing!
Best Wishes!
diane

 Comment Written 26-Mar-2023

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reply by the author on 26-Mar-2023

Oh yes - I too would have loved to see their faces. In my imagination I can. It?s fiction, so I?ll never know what happened next! I think he should withdraw into his dementia, of he?ll have some explaining to do. Lol.
Wendy

Comment from JT traveller

Excellent

Oh this is good! Imagine the surprise! What a story. A lead contender in the competition for sure. I appreciate the font, colour choice and styling. Well done. Naughty John!

 Comment Written 26-Mar-2023

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reply by the author on 26-Mar-2023

Lol - thank you. Love your review! Reading the reviews gives me almost as much pleasure as writing the stories!
Wendy

Comment from Wayne Fowler

Excellent

Wow! Cool!
And perfectly plausible.
Now, how do I get the required character count?
Do you sometimes debate with yourself whether to use an exclamation or a question mark, as in after your 'really'? I see it going either way.
Best wishes.

 Comment Written 26-Mar-2023

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reply by the author on 26-Mar-2023

Yes, I do debate that. Which would you have used there?
I think it was more an exclamation of surprise or shock than a question.
I put mine through an online counter. And using Advanced Editor also gives a word count at the bottom.
Thanks so much Wayne, I always appreciate your reviews.
Wendy

reply by Wayne Fowler on 26-Mar-2023

Question mark or exclamation point? Either one works, so I guess it has to be the author's choice. Often, though, it's 50-50 for me. I read once that an author shouldn't use more than one exclamation point in a writing/piece, so if you want to save it for later ... (smiley face here)

Comment from Tom Horonzy

Excellent

Of course, you meet your own high standards with this entry. Now what can I do to dribble away and fulfill the requirements of one hundred and fifty characters. This should do. Tom

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 26-Mar-2023

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reply by the author on 26-Mar-2023

Lol. Such an in-depth review! Just kidding. You always make me laugh, in a good way, so thank you.
Wendy

Comment from Bill Schott

Excellent

This dribble, New Friends, has the proper word count and supplies Cora and Shirley a real icebreaker to discuss as they are planning John's interrogation.

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 26-Mar-2023

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reply by the author on 26-Mar-2023

Yes, I would love to have seen the women's faces as John recognised and remembered Shirley - even though I made up the story! So many questions. He will glaze over, probably!