This post was written for Friday Fictioneers. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting and the minions for reading.
I’m a bit disappointed in myself. I must be losing my edge. Maybe my blade needs sharpening. There is nothing dark or monstrous about this tale, but I still like it so I’ll share it.
Larry walked along the line of lamps, studying each one more closely than the last.
“Dad?” he said.
“Yes, Larry? What is it?” his father said, smiling down at him.
Larry cast the lamps a worried glance. “They’re all broken.”
“What do you mean? Your mother had her heart set on a new lamp.” His dad knelt beside him to look at the lamps.
Larry pointed. “They’re all missing the part that lights up.”
“The bulb? That’s no problem. I can fix that at home.”
“You can?” Larry’s face lit up and he pointed at the pink one. “That one!”
Adam Ickes 
February 5th, 2014 at 7:55 AM
Adam, as I’ve said to David, there’s nothing wrong with a normal, nice story every so often just to throw everyone off. I can hear a little boy saying this. Good job.
janet
February 5th, 2014 at 9:10 AM
I suppose it is nice to keep ’em guessing. Occasionally anyway.
February 5th, 2014 at 8:22 AM
Dear Adam,
Once more the sweetness baton is in your hands. It’s a cuddly job and someone has to do it. Take two fuzzy bears out of petty cash. An enjoyable piece. I’ll bet your daughter inspired your child in this piece. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
February 5th, 2014 at 9:16 AM
We should really have that thing looked at. I’m pretty sure it’s cursed. No matter how hard I try to get rid of it I turn around and there it is sitting on my desk again. Reminds me of that cartoon/song “The cat came back”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bETCusT5kNM
February 5th, 2014 at 9:24 AM
My kids used to sing the song in Boy Scouts. I’d never seen the cartoon before. Funny. Not sure what to do about that pesky sweetness baton, other than to take it as it comes. 😉
February 5th, 2014 at 8:32 AM
Cute story and please take that as a compliment. 🙂
February 5th, 2014 at 9:11 AM
I will take that as the compliment it was intended to be. Thank you.
February 5th, 2014 at 9:00 AM
Adam,
I liked this. It’s so nice when you can easily fix a problem that seems insurmountable to someone else. Nice happy ending.
David
February 5th, 2014 at 9:18 AM
Isn’t it though? My daughter thinks I can fix anything. Last night I melted 2 ends of a broken crayon and stuck them back together because she asked me to fix it. I’ve never fixed a crayon before.
February 5th, 2014 at 9:14 AM
I like this!
February 5th, 2014 at 9:19 AM
I like that you like this!
Also: Hey! Look who it is! Been awhile. How’ve you been?
February 5th, 2014 at 9:20 AM
:). I have been well… Busy but well. Thanks Adam
February 5th, 2014 at 9:26 AM
I think it’s a sweet story. I have a 20 month old and I look forward to sweet moments like that. 🙂
February 5th, 2014 at 10:12 AM
My daughter is 3 at the moment and growing like a bad weed. It’s a fun age, but time is flying by so quickly.
February 5th, 2014 at 10:01 AM
aww this is really sweet. i love the image of the little boy’s face lighting up 🙂
February 5th, 2014 at 10:13 AM
This one came from the father in me. Sometimes the darkness lets him come out and play. Not often, but sometimes.
February 5th, 2014 at 10:01 AM
That was a different story from you… I was busy looking for the catch there, the dark twist that didn’t materialise. 🙂 Nicely done.
February 5th, 2014 at 10:14 AM
I tried to warn you at the beginning that there was no darkness to be had. Surprisingly I was telling the truth and not just trying to lull you into a false sense of security. That certainly sounds like something I would do.
February 5th, 2014 at 12:28 PM
Cute light-hearted story. 🙂
February 6th, 2014 at 9:03 AM
So unlike me. I must be sick or something… well, a different kind of sick than usual I mean. 🙂
February 5th, 2014 at 1:10 PM
This was lovely 🙂
February 6th, 2014 at 9:03 AM
Thanks.
February 5th, 2014 at 2:07 PM
Well done. That shows the complete trust a child would have in a parent. The child immediately accepted Dad’s words without a doubt.
February 6th, 2014 at 9:04 AM
That’s certainly true. It’s just a shame some people abuse that trust.
February 5th, 2014 at 2:29 PM
My favorite moments often come out of the mouths of babes. I adored this story. So for one am glad you wrote something light this week.
February 6th, 2014 at 9:05 AM
Most of my lighter stuff is along these lines. Must be the father in me sneaking out every now and then to stretch his legs.
February 5th, 2014 at 5:51 PM
Very nice, very sweet excerpt of what seems to be a part of a happy life indeed. In other words, I CAN’T RELATE TO THIS AT ALL! GIVE ME DARK, MONSTROUS, AND MALADJUSTED PLEASE!
February 6th, 2014 at 9:07 AM
I’ll see what I can work up for you next week, but I’m not making any promises.
February 5th, 2014 at 7:56 PM
Ironically, Larry chose the one lamp that does have a light bulb! Despite the lack of scary things that might have jumped out from behind these lamps, I remain a fan, Adam. Nice job. 🙂
February 6th, 2014 at 9:09 AM
Ha, I didn’t even notice that. For the sake of the story I’m just pretending that is just an error in developing the film and there really isn’t a bulb there.
February 6th, 2014 at 11:09 AM
Remember, I am taking in EVERY thing. If you ever need some editing (not for FF!); I don’t miss much. 😉 Folks in my writing group either love that or go crazy. 😉
February 6th, 2014 at 12:43 PM
I’ll have to keep that in mind. I might have to take you up on that once I finish editing the novel I’m working on. And just FYI, I’d be happy to do the same for you if you ever need me for it. 🙂
February 6th, 2014 at 6:42 PM
Thanks Adam. I have an editor I use in Chicago, and my writing group is kick ass for that! However, I happen to believe that you can’t do enough editing… until you’ve done too much! Just let me know when you’re at that point.
February 5th, 2014 at 8:24 PM
so many lamps and oh, so little time.
February 6th, 2014 at 9:11 AM
Ironic that so many lamps that produce darkness (no bulbs), brings out no darkness in me.
February 5th, 2014 at 10:47 PM
Such a sweet story. Glad you shared it!
February 6th, 2014 at 9:12 AM
Thanks. I may be into dark and scary things, but inside I’m just a big softie.
February 7th, 2014 at 7:00 PM
You look it! All heart…
February 5th, 2014 at 10:56 PM
How funny I think I’ve had a similar conversation with my daughter!
February 6th, 2014 at 9:13 AM
My daughter thinks I can fix anything. One of these days I’m going to run into something that I won’t be able to fix, but I won’t have the heart to tell her that so I’ll try anyway.
February 7th, 2014 at 10:06 AM
Sounds like a good plan 🙂
February 6th, 2014 at 8:29 AM
Aww, the innocence of youth!
I didn’t manage a gory story this month either.
February 6th, 2014 at 9:14 AM
Why do the have to grow up and see what the world is really like? It’s really unfair to them in the end.
February 6th, 2014 at 9:43 AM
Oh, we do need nice stories that make us feel good!
February 6th, 2014 at 8:43 PM
We do, but I usually leave that up to the others.
February 6th, 2014 at 9:57 AM
Aw, I like seeing an out of the blue sweet story from you. This is nice. I can relate to this story.
February 6th, 2014 at 8:45 PM
That’s how I do. Get you all worked up with death and destruction then slam it in reverse and back over you with a truck full of sweetness. It’s a gift, really.
February 6th, 2014 at 10:39 AM
I was hoping for something to break, and badly. Next week!
February 6th, 2014 at 8:46 PM
Hopefully I won’t disappoint next week. I’d like to say I have big plans, but not seeing the photo ahead of time really puts a damper on plans.
February 6th, 2014 at 11:19 AM
Hi Adam,
Larry may not be the brightest bulb, but his heart is in the right place. Ron
February 6th, 2014 at 8:46 PM
Heart in the right place is more important in my book.
February 6th, 2014 at 2:40 PM
What a sweet story!
February 6th, 2014 at 8:47 PM
Thanks, Sarah.
February 6th, 2014 at 6:52 PM
This is a perfect story!
February 6th, 2014 at 8:47 PM
Appreciate it, Ted.
February 6th, 2014 at 6:58 PM
Love the sweet story. Don’t feel bad. I’m a romance author and I haven’t written anything romantic for Friday Fictioneers.
February 6th, 2014 at 8:48 PM
It’s nice to break from the norm every now and then, but I’ll probably go back to dark and sinister next week. I feel at home there. 🙂
February 6th, 2014 at 9:02 PM
I’m looking forward to it.
February 6th, 2014 at 7:01 PM
Hey Adam, I like this. By the way – the pink light does have a light bulb in it, but, I shook it and it rattles – so it does need a new bulb. Good piece!
February 6th, 2014 at 8:49 PM
Yeah I know it does, but for the sake of this story it doesn’t. That’s just an error in the developing of the film that makes it look like it has a bulb. 🙂
February 6th, 2014 at 8:37 PM
That what makes a dad a hero. I know, because my dad can fix anything. Really, he can.
February 6th, 2014 at 8:53 PM
I fixed a broken crayon the other night. That’s something I never even considered trying before, but she asked me to fix it so I gave it a shot.
February 6th, 2014 at 8:54 PM
Did you melt it and smoosh it back together?
February 6th, 2014 at 8:57 PM
I did, then I smoothed it with a razor after it dried.
February 6th, 2014 at 8:59 PM
Every child needs someone with that kind of genius to look up to.
February 6th, 2014 at 10:35 PM
I’m not drunk, yet, so I can’t provide the half-drunk rant, but I do like your story. In the end, I see the little boy’s face as a reflection of the lamp that will soon be lighting up for his momma at home. 🙂
All my best,
Marie Gail
February 7th, 2014 at 10:36 AM
I have to rely on others for the half drunken rants as I’m not a drinker myself. Thanks for reading & commenting. I’m glad you liked it.
February 6th, 2014 at 11:57 PM
Kids are so cute. This was a very charming story. Well done.
February 7th, 2014 at 10:38 AM
They’re so cute when they’re little… then something goes horribly wrong somewhere along the line…
February 7th, 2014 at 10:48 AM
Haha! Yeah, they grow up. 😉
February 7th, 2014 at 9:13 AM
How sweet and charming. Reminds me of something my grandson would say. 😉
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/innocent-bystander/
February 7th, 2014 at 10:39 AM
Seems like I’m walking a line between darkness and sweet lately. It’s a strange place to be, but I’m having fun with it.
February 7th, 2014 at 11:54 AM
Good dialogue. I can really picture a young boy saying those things.
February 7th, 2014 at 4:53 PM
Thanks. Much appreciated.
February 7th, 2014 at 1:29 PM
Simplest of LOLs, the best kind! But I gotta a put a copyright on my character ( grrmbl grrmbl bad Adam grrr ).
😉 Tay.
February 7th, 2014 at 4:54 PM
My mistake, Tay. Guess I should have picked him up and checked the bottom of his shoe for a name before I just threw him into my story like that! 🙂
February 7th, 2014 at 5:34 PM
Not shoes, nifty label at the back of the undies! 😎
February 7th, 2014 at 5:35 PM
I guess even if I had checked I would have been looking in the wrong place so it wouldn’t have mattered.
February 7th, 2014 at 5:36 PM
Grmmlll shoddy excuse 😀
February 7th, 2014 at 5:38 PM
Nearly as shoddy as the workmanship of a drunken elf on Christmas Eve. 🙂
February 7th, 2014 at 5:55 PM
Burp to that!
February 7th, 2014 at 1:45 PM
What a lovely little slice of life. It was a joy to read.
February 7th, 2014 at 4:55 PM
Thanks, Linda, but don’t get too used to that sort of thing from me. 🙂
February 7th, 2014 at 6:01 PM
Dads are heroes!
February 8th, 2014 at 9:11 PM
The good ones are anyway.
February 7th, 2014 at 6:09 PM
Oh, that’s the color that I would have chosen. The pretty, pink one. Nice one, Adam. They don’t always have to be scary. Every now and then, the sweet side can make an appearance and that’s fine by me!
February 8th, 2014 at 9:13 PM
I think he only chose the pink one because pink is a “girl’s color” in his young eyes so he figured his mom would like it.
February 8th, 2014 at 9:27 PM
That makes perfect sense!
February 7th, 2014 at 9:44 PM
Really like this. You captured the innocence of a young child so well.
February 8th, 2014 at 9:14 PM
Thanks, Bryan. Much appreciated.
February 8th, 2014 at 2:59 AM
Its quite true that you write such wicked dark stuff, I was actually reading each sentence like “Something’s going to happen next. A murder. A spirit” 😀 Nevertheless I loved this unexpectedly sweet story. Wicked minds need rest too 🙂
February 8th, 2014 at 9:15 PM
I think I’m on wicked overload with the other stuff I’m working on so sweet came out in this story to give me some balance.
February 9th, 2014 at 10:42 AM
That might be 😀
February 8th, 2014 at 1:13 PM
Aww,a sweet story Adam-really loved it:-) Reminded me of the little boy in the store today-he was running after her with a cute dress,asking her to try it on,insisting it would look terrific on her-I found it cute and said so-even the Mom was smiling 🙂
February 8th, 2014 at 9:16 PM
I can totally picture that happening. Too cute.
February 13th, 2014 at 2:27 PM
🙂
February 8th, 2014 at 3:52 PM
Lovely father-son tale. No need to have more edge than this.
February 8th, 2014 at 9:16 PM
Perhaps you’re right. Thanks.
February 8th, 2014 at 7:39 PM
Well, we both picked out the pink one. I think that means our characters have to fight to the death for it or something. Nice story and no one got hurt!
February 8th, 2014 at 9:26 PM
To the death! I like it. Just to warn you, I think Larry might be a biter…
February 9th, 2014 at 1:00 PM
If only everyone could ‘fix’ the ‘light’ at ‘home’ in this troubled world.
I loved the story and how it connected with the world at large in my view 😀
P.S. I’m new here and looking forward to a long friendship
Cheerio! 😀
February 9th, 2014 at 1:22 PM
I think mom will like the pink one.
February 9th, 2014 at 3:37 PM
This is as good as your usual stuff in a completely different way which makes me bitterly jealous.
February 14th, 2014 at 5:07 AM
That was great Adam, it really captures the innocence of a child. 🙂