Tuesday Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – “Attached”

August 18, 2026 · by · in Prompt · 62 Comments

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.”

 

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62 comments

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

    Oh yes, the joey needs to avoid the dingos.

    Liked by 1 person

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

      For sure. 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. JFRSr's avatar
    JFRSr · · Reply→

    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 🐳

    Liked by 2 people

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

      So true. They would run away from home at the first chance. Thanks 🐳

      Liked by 1 person

  3. tokragly's avatar
    tokragly · · Reply→

    I thought Joey was a rich kid living in his parents basement.
    Just kidding but sadly it is true.

    Liked by 3 people

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

    I didn’t guess till the end – nicely executed, John.

    Liked by 1 person

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

      Thank you, Esther. 😄

      Liked by 1 person

  5. lois's avatar
    lois · · Reply→

    This is so cute. And as usual, I was clueless until the ending. G’day, John!

    Liked by 2 people

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

      G’day Lois. 😄

      Liked by 1 person

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

    Nature can be cruel at times.

    Liked by 1 person

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

      Yes, nature can. Thanks, Charles.

      Like

  7. House of Heart's avatar
    House of Heart · · Reply→

    Nature is grand.

    Liked by 1 person

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

      It is. Thanks, Holly.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. House of Heart's avatar
        House of Heart · · Reply→

        I so enjoyed this delightful write, John, I love your sense of humor, we can surely use that right now 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

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

          So happy you got a smile, Holly.

          Liked by 1 person

        2. House of Heart's avatar
          House of Heart · ·

          I did indeed !

          Liked by 1 person

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

          😊

          Liked by 1 person

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

    Hee, hee…talk about tough love! Great job, John.

    Liked by 1 person

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

      Thank you, Monika. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Dale's avatar
    Dale · · Reply→

    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 😀

    Liked by 1 person

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

      I’ll bet you are pretty good at it, too. Thanks, Dale.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale's avatar
        Dale · · Reply→

        Sometimes… Not this time!!

        Liked by 1 person

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

          😊

          Liked by 1 person

  10. noelleg44's avatar
    noelleg44 · · Reply→

    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!

    Liked by 1 person

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

      Very tough. Thanks, Noelle

      Liked by 1 person

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

    I didn’t get it until I got to Joey!

    Liked by 1 person

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

      Well, you got it. Congratulations.

      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

  12. equipsblog's avatar
    equipsblog · · Reply→

    Sounds sort of like a kangaroo court to me.😜

    Liked by 1 person

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

      I think you are right. Thanks, Pat.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. coldhandboyack's avatar
    coldhandboyack · · Reply→

    Fooled me again.

    Liked by 1 person

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

      Oh goodie. Love that. 😄

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Marie A Bailey's avatar
    Marie A Bailey · · Reply→

    Oh, that was sweet!

    Liked by 1 person

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

      Thank you, Marie.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Michele Lee's avatar
    Michele Lee · · Reply→

    Talk about growing up fast!

    Liked by 1 person

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

      Indeed. A metaphor for the sudden awareness of the need for responsibility

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Michele Lee's avatar
        Michele Lee · · Reply→

        😱

        Liked by 1 person

  16. bruce@ssa's avatar
    bruce@ssa · · Reply→

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

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

      So true, Bruce.

      Liked by 1 person

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

    Ha! I love this. Yep. Time to cut the apron strings. 🦘

    Liked by 1 person

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

      😊 Thank you, Jan.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. petespringer's avatar
    petespringer · · Reply→

    What’s Love Got to Do with It?

    Liked by 1 person

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

      Terrific, Pete. Thank you. 😄

      Liked by 1 person

  19. thomasstigwikman's avatar
    thomasstigwikman · · Reply→

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

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

      They certainly are. A great observation, Thomas. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. thomasstigwikman's avatar
        thomasstigwikman · · Reply→

        Thank you John

        Liked by 1 person

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

          😊

          Liked by 1 person

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

    Hilarious, John. I chucked at the reveal — very clever! And to think, your only lead was “attached”. I’m impressed and all smiles. 😄

    Liked by 1 person

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

      I’m glad you liked it, Gwen. Thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Sorryless's avatar
    Sorryless · · Reply→

    I know kangaroos don’t play. That must go double for kangaroo mamas.

    Liked by 1 person

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

      She does seem a little on the grumpy side. 😄

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sorryless's avatar
        Sorryless · · Reply→

        Hahahaha! Never a good sign.

        Liked by 1 person

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

          Not in a mom. 😄

          Liked by 1 person

        2. Sorryless's avatar
          Sorryless · ·

          Nope!

          Liked by 1 person

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

          😊

          Liked by 1 person

  22. Jennie's avatar
    Jennie · · Reply→

    Well done on the prompt, John!

    Liked by 1 person

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

      Thank you, Jennie. Glad you liked it.

      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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