Today I randomly opened The Last Drive to page 159 and, with my eyes closed, pointed to the page. My finger was closest to the word “attached.” This is our prompt today.
Attached by John W. Howell © 2026
“Are you still here?”
“Well, yes. I think we have unfinished business.”
“As far as I’m concerned, we are no longer attached, so I would like it if you moved on.”
“What do you mean, ‘No longer attached?’ What about love?”
“What’s love got to do with it? I gave you the best years of my life, and now here we are.”
“But didn’t those years count?”
“Of course they did. We had some good times, but now life dictates that you move on.”
“Life?”
“Yup. I have to prepare for another.”
“Another? You mean you found another?”
“Not exactly found. I’m having another baby.”
“Oh my. That is a surprise.”
“For me too. That’s why you must go. Find someone new and start a family.”
“But you are my mother.”
“Sure I am, but you see another Joey is coming and there’s no room in the pouch for the two of you.”
“So you still love me?”
“Of course. Nature dictates that you move on, though.”
“Okay. Can’t fight nature.”
“Watch out for the dingos.”
“I will. G’day, Mom.”
“G’day, son.”
Oh yes, the joey needs to avoid the dingos.
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For sure. Thanks, Tim
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😊
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John, when you call your kid “Joey” you wind up with an offspring that never wants to grow up and depouch…should have gone with Rocky or Antilla 🐳
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So true. They would run away from home at the first chance. Thanks 🐳
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I thought Joey was a rich kid living in his parents basement.
Just kidding but sadly it is true.
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I didn’t guess till the end – nicely executed, John.
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Thank you, Esther. 😄
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This is so cute. And as usual, I was clueless until the ending. G’day, John!
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G’day Lois. 😄
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Nature can be cruel at times.
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Yes, nature can. Thanks, Charles.
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Nature is grand.
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It is. Thanks, Holly.
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I so enjoyed this delightful write, John, I love your sense of humor, we can surely use that right now 🙂
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So happy you got a smile, Holly.
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I did indeed !
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😊
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Hee, hee…talk about tough love! Great job, John.
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Thank you, Monika. 😊
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Life must not be too easy for the joeys as they first start out. But that’s the name of the game of life in the wild. Nicely done, John 🙂
I always love trying to figure out which “beasties” are the subject before the reveal 😀
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I’ll bet you are pretty good at it, too. Thanks, Dale.
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Sometimes… Not this time!!
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😊
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I had NO idea where this was going! I’d forgotten that a joey has to move out for the next one! Nature can be tough!
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Very tough. Thanks, Noelle
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I didn’t get it until I got to Joey!
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Well, you got it. Congratulations.
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Sounds sort of like a kangaroo court to me.😜
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I think you are right. Thanks, Pat.
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Fooled me again.
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Oh goodie. Love that. 😄
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Oh, that was sweet!
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Thank you, Marie.
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Talk about growing up fast!
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Indeed. A metaphor for the sudden awareness of the need for responsibility
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😱
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The cycle must continue, John. Mom has done her job well, and it is now time to do it once more. Mother Nature always pushes forward, and Moms know what is best for the newbie and the new-to-be alike.
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So true, Bruce.
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Ha! I love this. Yep. Time to cut the apron strings. 🦘
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😊 Thank you, Jan.
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What’s Love Got to Do with It?
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Terrific, Pete. Thank you. 😄
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Ha ha I was wondering what it would be and it was a Kangaroo. Yes unfortunately many animals have to push away their offspring once they are old enough. It is not like dogs. They are our babies for ever.
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They certainly are. A great observation, Thomas. 😊
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Thank you John
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😊
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Hilarious, John. I chucked at the reveal — very clever! And to think, your only lead was “attached”. I’m impressed and all smiles. 😄
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I’m glad you liked it, Gwen. Thanks.
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I know kangaroos don’t play. That must go double for kangaroo mamas.
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She does seem a little on the grumpy side. 😄
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Hahahaha! Never a good sign.
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Not in a mom. 😄
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Nope!
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😊
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Well done on the prompt, John!
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Thank you, Jennie. Glad you liked it.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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