Today, I randomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 147. I closed my eyes and pointed to the page. The word readable nearest my finger was “complicated,” which became our prompt.
Complicated by John W. Howell © 2025
“It’s complicated.”
“I’m sure it is, but tell me.”
“I’d rather not.”
“Why?”
“Because you could get hurt feelings.”
“Oh, come on. We have known each other long enough not to get hurt feelings from the truth.”
“You may think that, but I know better.”
“What do you mean?”
“Remember that time you wanted that stupid T-shirt.”
“The one that said, “I’d rather be on top?”
“That’s the one.”
“You talked me out of it.”
“And remember how hurt you were?”
“Well, I thought it would be good for a laugh.”
“Yeah, until a time that your mother might see it.”
“Okay, I get your point. I guess I did have hurt feelings that you thought my humor was gross.”
“The word is vulgar.”
“Okay, okay. I’ve changed, and you can tell me anything now.”
“Uh-huh.”
“So what is wrong with my idea?”
“First off. You have been listening to Frank Sinatra, right?”
“Well, yes.”
“And now you think you can move that rubber tree plant.”
“The song has inspired me.”
“Not to hurt your feelings, but as an ant, you can’t. Don’t give me that high hopes, malarkey either.”
“Okay, I’m going to listen to you.”
“Be still my beating heart. Why now?”
“Cause I don’t think that plant will fit in the foyer.”
“Okay, I can live with that.”
“And there is some new sugar the humans dropped on the floor, which we don’t want to go to waste.”
Fiction Favorites 
😆 John….nice one. Xx
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Thank you, Jane 🤗
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I always loved that song. We have a lot of ants here and they are very industrious. One day I saw them carry off a huge cockroach. So funny.
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Does sound like a humorous scene. 😀
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That was clever writing and fun reading
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So glad you liked it, Thomas. Thank you.
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a brilliant prompt, John…
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Thank you, Jaye. So glad you like it. 😊
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🥰
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Haha, very funny and clever John. I like your prompt! Happy Tuesday 😊
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Happy Tuesday to you, Laura. 😀
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Fun time, John, bringing back so many memories of watching the variety shows on our small, black-and-white TV. Growing up, I thought my name was Changeit—the family’s remote control. Until next Tuesday…
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Ha ha ha. Good one, Grant. Thanks for the laugh. 😆
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Huh! How many arm holes does an ant tee shirt come with?
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There have to be at least two for the upper body. Good one, Craig.
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The ants in your stories are always big dreamers. 😁
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I think they might be my spirit animal. 😂
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Well done, John. I enjoyed the conversation.
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I’m glad you did, Dan. Thanks.
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And to think, all these years, I believed Sinatra that the ant could move that rubber tree plant!! I’m crushed!
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It will be different tomorrow. Keep the faith. Thanks, GP 😀
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You think I would know by now that rarely are humans having these conversations….ants! Good one, John. 🐜
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Yeah, humans tend to be boring. 😀 Thanks, Lois.
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A fun story, John 🙂 I’d rather eat the sugar than lift some wacky heavy plant, anyway.
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I think I would, too. Thanks, Dave.
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That was a fun read. Your character reveals at the end of your stories always catch me by surprise and never fail to entertain. Well done, John!
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Thank you, Deborah. I always hope that is the case. Of course, I don’t give too many clues. 😊
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😊
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Good one, John. As Old Blue Eyes said, “oops, there it goes!”
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Yes, indeed, Tim. Thank you. 😊
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HaHa, good one, John! Sugar on the floor is a good ant-attractant, too (unless you’ve got a little Monkey who likely would beat them to it!!)
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I have two here who would make quick work of anything edible on the floor.
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Lol! Fantastic, John. I never would have guessed they were ants. Gotta love ol’ Blue Eyes!
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Thank you, Jan. Yes, Frank is special. 😊
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So much good 💯
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Thank you., Alaa.
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You are welcome 😍😍
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As soon as read “rubber tree plant,” I knew we were talking ants!
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Cute story! I do love that song and now it will be stuck in my head all day!
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I’m always trying to guess the twists , but I never do. Very clever. Great song too 😊
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Another fun one, John:) Glad they cleaned up the spilled sugar too!
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I’m glad you liked it, Denise.
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Nothing worse than sugar tracked about. Thanks, Denise.
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Fun conversation, John. 🌞 Even the tiny ones have a role, don’t they? I hope you have a great week.
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Thank you, Gwen. I hope you have a super week as well.
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Now there’s an ant with the proper priorities: sugar!
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Yes indeed.
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Now that’s a sweet ending! 😄 Cute story, John.
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Thank you, Michele.
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You’re welcome! 😊
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😊
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Love the amount of unusual story you have created in this micro flash fiction.
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Haha! Love that you included the song, John. Hugs.
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I felt it would be a good add.
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Good one, John! My mother’s favourite singer was Frank Sinatra, and so I know the majority of his songs, lol.
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I’m sure you do.😀
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You had me there at the end. Great on the prompt, John.
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Thank you, Jennie. One of these days the twist will be that they are humans. 😀
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That would definitely be a twist. 🙂
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Ha ha ha
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Another win right out of the gate as far as getting the prompt out there quickaly.
As for the idea that an ant can move a rubber tree plant? Well, you have to remember how very much Old Blue Eyes loved his gin. We can neither confirm nor deny that maybe Frank had been partaking when he found the words to this classic. I say these guys stick to sugar cubes. They’re sweeter and won’t lead to a hernia.
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Ha ha ha. Good one.
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I’m here all month!
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Don’t forget our buffet special.
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LOL
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😀
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{Big smile} Reality strikes! 😉 Loved this finger point, John. Outstanding.
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Ha ha ha. I like the reality strikes concept. Thanks, Monika.
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Reality and physics…hard at play in your challenge. So clever.
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Thanks again, Monika,
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