Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – “Privacy”

April 28, 2026 · by · in Prompt · 45 Comments

 

Today I randomly opened The Last Drive to page 225. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is “privacy.” That is our prompt today.

Privacy by John W. Howell © 2026

“Could you please leave?”

“What’s the problem?”

“I just need some privacy.”

“I don’t get it.”

“What don’t you get?”

“We went to all those classes, and I’m your birthing partner.”

“Well, right now I can’t stand the sight of you.”

“What has changed?”

“You are the one who got me into this mess.”

“Oh, like you weren’t there?”

“This is no time to do the hurt feelings routine. Just go away.”

“What about the breathing exercises?”

“I can do that on my own.”

“I hate to see you like this.”

“Then you should go.”

“You sure you will be okay?”

“Yes, I’m sure. Go hang out with your friends.”

“They are all busy.”

“Go catch some fish then.”

“That’s a good idea. I’m sure you will be hungry after the pup gets here.”

“I swear. Of all the sealions in this world, I end up with Mr. Practical. Now go.”

“You still love me, right?”

“Of course. I just need you gone. Bye.”

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45 comments

  1. T. W. Dittmer's avatar
    T. W. Dittmer · · Reply→

    Her wanting privacy from one she loves is definitely something to think about, John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar
      John W. Howell · · Reply→

      Yeah, I think so. Thanks, Tim

      Liked by 1 person

      1. T. W. Dittmer's avatar
        T. W. Dittmer · · Reply→

        😊

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar
          John W. Howell · ·

          😊

          Liked by 1 person

  2. Charles Yallowitz's avatar
    Charles Yallowitz · · Reply→

    I’m sure that’s a common conversation with sea lions. They’re always crammed together on the beach.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar
      John W. Howell · · Reply→

      I wonder if they ever tell each other to squinch over?

      Like

  3. lois's avatar
    lois · · Reply→

    The old sealion mama hormones are alive and well! 🦭

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar
      John W. Howell · · Reply→

      They are. Thanks, Lois.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.'s avatar
    Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. · · Reply→

    Having seen some of those colonies… privacy is definitely a number one priority and she won’t be the first mama to throw the father out of the delivery room lol hugsx

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar
      John W. Howell · · Reply→

      That is for sure. 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Liz Gauffreau's avatar
    Liz Gauffreau · · Reply→

    Doh! Fooled me again!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar
      John W. Howell · · Reply→

      Makes me happy. This was a hard one, though, due to the maternity aspect.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Liz Gauffreau's avatar
        Liz Gauffreau · · Reply→

        😊

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar
          John W. Howell · ·

          😀

          Liked by 1 person

  6. Gwen M. Plano's avatar
    Gwen M. Plano · · Reply→

    Never would have imagined a sealion. Well done, John! 😄

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar
      John W. Howell · · Reply→

      Thank you, Gwen. I had another animal in mind, but the sealion fit better. 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Esther Chilton's avatar
    Esther Chilton · · Reply→

    I kept trying to guess and it was only in the last few lines it came to me. Left me with a big smile.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar
      John W. Howell · · Reply→

      So glad you got a smile, Esther. Thanks for letting me know.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. equipsblog's avatar
    equipsblog · · Reply→

    Fun character. Didn’t know sea lions got privacy.

    Like

  9. Author Jan Sikes's avatar
    Author Jan Sikes · · Reply→

    Lol! Thanks for the chuckle today, John. I would have never guessed it would be sea lions. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar
      John W. Howell · · Reply→

      Yeah, it was a hard one for sure.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Debbie's avatar
    Debbie · · Reply→

    Why did I think these were pelicans?!? Good story, John, and nicely handled. Thanks for making me laugh out loud!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar
      John W. Howell · · Reply→

      I don’t know why pelicans. At least they were creature who hang around the sea. Thanks, Debbie.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. noelleg44's avatar
    noelleg44 · · Reply→

    Good grief, I was thinking Black Widow Spider. So happy it’s a sea lion!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar
      John W. Howell · · Reply→

      Black Widow spider? Well that would have been a good one.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Dan Antion's avatar
    Dan Antion · · Reply→

    Always willing to lend a flipper or yell, “push!”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar
      John W. Howell · · Reply→

      Ha ha ha.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Rebecca Cuningham's avatar
    Rebecca Cuningham · · Reply→

    Very cute dialogue! Same with animals all over the world, perhaps?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar
      John W. Howell · · Reply→

      In my imagination, yes.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. coldhandboyack's avatar
    coldhandboyack · · Reply→

    Bummer. He had a whole row of little horns he was going to toot when the blessed event happened.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar
      John W. Howell · · Reply→

      I know. Well, he can still do that.🎺

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Sorryless's avatar
    Sorryless · · Reply→

    I guess things really ARE the same all over.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar
      John W. Howell · · Reply→

      It seems that way. At least in my mind.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sorryless's avatar
        Sorryless · · Reply→

        Haha!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar
          John W. Howell · ·

          😊

          Liked by 1 person

  16. petespringer's avatar
    petespringer · · Reply→

    Don’t mess with mama. She knows what she wants.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar
      John W. Howell · · Reply→

      Yup. For sure.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Tails Around the Ranch's avatar
    Tails Around the Ranch · · Reply→

    Ha! Well I wasn’t expecting seallions. Nice twist with the prompt, John. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar
      John W. Howell · · Reply→

      Thank you, Monika. I don’t know how the sealions came to me. They just did.😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Tails Around the Ranch's avatar
        Tails Around the Ranch · · Reply→

        For which your readers are grateful. 😊

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar
          John W. Howell · ·

          Now I’m blushing. 😊

          Liked by 1 person

  18. Jennie's avatar
    Jennie · · Reply→

    Well done on the finger point, John. Mama is the boss.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar
      John W. Howell · · Reply→

      She is for sure. Thanks, Jennie.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jennie's avatar
        Jennie · · Reply→

        .You’re welcome, John.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar
          John W. Howell · ·

          😊

          Liked by 1 person

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