I open the book His Revenge randomly to page 143 and, without looking, point to the page. The word closest to my finger is frustration.
Frustration by John W. Howell © 2024
“Don’t say it.”
“Don’t say what?”
“Express your frustration with this situation.”
“Okay. You just said it, so I don’t have to.”
“I wish I could explain why this vehicle broke down now.”
“I could give you a hint.”
“Okay, this should be good.”
“This old beater is about ten years beyond its use-by date.”
“Aw, come on. It was running just fine this morning.”
“That was this morning. It is now afternoon, and here we stand.”
“Okay, let me adjust something, and you can get in and start it.”
“Just don’t ask me to help push.”
“Don’t worry. That would be the last thing I would ask.”
“Might even be the last thing you do.”
“Okay, try it now.”
“Nothing.”
“Are you turning the key?”
“Like I don’t know how to start a car or this heap?”
“Okay. I’m sorry. I guess we will have to call a wrecker.”
“Of all days.”
“I know. I just don’t know what else to do.”
“Right now, I’m thinking of leaving you here and hitchhike to city hall. There is only one thing stopping me.”
“What’s that?”
“I can’t marry myself, so I need you to go with me.”
“What about the truck?”
“Call the wrecker. He can drop us off and then take that pile of junk to the salvage yard.”
“But it’s my truck.”
“You have a choice. Marry me or the truck.”
“That is not a fair choice.”
“Why’s that?”
“I could just see you trying to haul a yard of dirt.”
Fiction Favorites 
Spot on, John! Cheers. Joy x
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Thank you, Joy. 😊
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I might try this… how did you choose the page/
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I put the book on the desk and then simply open it without looking. I close my eyes and then point to a page on the right. The word closest to my finger is the prompt. I have my phone handy and take the photo so I don’t forget. I hope this helps.
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I’m gonna give this a try, John. Let fate decide my next move and see what happens…
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There you go.
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Well I don’t think there’s much of a choice here since the truck seems to have already filed for divorce.
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Ha ha ha. Thanks for the laugh, Marc.
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😉
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😊
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That’s awesome. I love it.
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Thank you, Craig
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LOLOL Once again, you have me laughing. That is a great ending! 🌺
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Glad to be able to bring a smile and a laugh, Kymber. 😁
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Yikes, what a difficult drive to city hall. Here’s hoping the honeymoon goes more smoothly 🙂
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I can almost bet it will not go well. Thanks, Dave.
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Getting that choice shoved in your face might make up your mind.
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You have to think fast too. Thanks, Tim.
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Outstanding, John. The minute I saw the word ‘frustration’, I knew your imagination would go to work!!
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Thank you, GP. 😁
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Sounds like she’s suggesting he marry the truck.
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Would not surprise me at all. 😁
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There’s a special bond between a man and his truck, and it’s always been a mystery to me. Well done, John. 😄
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It might be the one place where he feels like the boss. Who knows? I never bonded with a truck. Cars yes.
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Dear John
Me or the truck, we like this 🙂
Thanks for sharing
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Thank you, F4oC. I hope you got a smile.
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🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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😊
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This’d be like my husband saying, “it’s me or the cats!” 😹
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Oh my. I your house is like mine I would never draw that line. I am pretty sure of the choice.
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Got me at the Marry me or…
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Ha ha ha. 😊
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Not exactly an auspicious start to a marriage.
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It seems a little rough doesn’t it?
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A little!
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😁
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Not a good start for them. Good one, John:)
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It doesn’t look good for sure.
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Well, at least she’s not in labor, right?!?
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Yeah that. would be a whole different scale of trouble.
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You bring a smile John… The day of all days … 🙂 Frustration with a capital F… 😉 Excellent
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Good to laugh through it.
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Yes best thing we can do . Find our sense of humour. 😀
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I agree. Has served me well through many bad times.
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Likewise John. 💖
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😊
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What a thing to happen on your wedding day. However, I read about a Swedish couple who got married under even worse circumstances. The groom was a police man and when his new wife tried to drive after drinking he arrested her for DUI. They still got married but a week later, after he let her out of jail. It was a rough start but it worked.
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Goodness. He sounds like a pretty strict guy. Thanks for sharing this one, Thomas.
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Yes, I am pretty sure he would arrest himself if he did something wrong
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Ha ha ha
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Good one, John. My frustration comes when the warning lights in my vehicle come on. That always means the cash register is ringing.
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Yes it does, Pete. Especially with the new cars.
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Great story, John. That’s not a fair choice. Wife or truck? I don’t think I’m going on record with this one.
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Yes, very wise indeed. 😁
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Lol! What a choice. Great use of the prompt, John!
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Thank you, Jan. So glad you liked it.
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Snorf…practicality still rules over emotion. I like that!
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Great job on the prompt. What a choice!
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It is for sure.
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🙂
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The fickle finger of fate! ☝️ the sickle of fate? Your finger chose wisely and you responded in kind, well done!!
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Thank you, Chuckster,
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