Written for OLWG #395 where this week the three
prompts are 1) carving out a niche; 2) I suppose;
3) no doubt about it, as well as Melissa’s Fandango
Flash Fiction Challenge #298, FOWC ‘sunrise’, FOWC ‘bother’,
FOWC ‘aunt’, FOWC ‘fascinating’, FOWC ‘folks’, FOWC
‘decision’ and FOWC ‘infinite’. This is my story.

It was pretty early, just before sunrise, when I woke up. I was nervous about my first day at the law firm and couldn’t sleep. I pulled back the curtains of my bedroom window and saw a vase with red roses in the window of the apartment across the way.
Normally something like that wouldn’t bother me but my Aunt Gloria lived in that apartment and the vase was her signal that she was in trouble. Gloria was my mother’s sister and only ten years older than me; I was more like her little brother than her nephew. At 40, she was beautiful, intelligent and charming. She had an amazing figure, spoke three languages fluently, and loved to have a good time.
She was also a prostitute.
The fascinating thing was all the folks in our apartment buildings knew about Aunt Gloria’s profession but she thought, except for me, that it was the best kept secret in town. How Gloria led her life was her decision but there was always the chance of something going wrong. Seeing the roses in the vase confirmed that. An infinite number of scenarios ran through my head as I quickly got dressed and raced over to Aunt Gloria’s apartment.
To be continued….
NAR©2024
#OLWG
#FOWC
This is “Gloria” by Them
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for Nancy (The Sicilian Storyteller), The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk, and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.
Nice post
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Thanks very much, Satyam.
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Fully invested in the next story. 🌹 Bravo on all that you’ve seamlessly stitched together, here, including the song. 👏🏻
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You are much too kind and gracious, Michele! 😊
Sometimes we just get lucky! 😂🍀🎰
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Just me, thank you! 🙏🏻 Yes, sometimes the writing gods unite and help us cross our t’s and dot our i’s. ✨🙌🏻
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For sure! And now on to Part 2. 😎
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👍🏻📝🌹
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💜💜💜
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I want to know what happens next.
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Yes! So do I! 😅
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Oh, my goodness, I was relieved to see the “to be continued…” I need to know more. That was intense and so well done, Nancy!
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Thanks so much, Brenda! I’m thrilled to know you enjoyed my story! Thanks for taking the time to leave such a lovely comment. I appreciate it.
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You’ve done so well with those and leave us wanting more.
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Thanks so much, Esther! Glad you’re enjoying this one.
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Nicely set up & I can’t wait for chapter 2. That kickin’ Van Morrison song absolutely reinforces place and scenery that ramps up the excitement!
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Such a cool song, I agree!
Thanks, Liz!
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Great story as usual you left us hanging!
Oh! You picked a great blast from the past. Just loved them and I have to say their music holds up just as well now as then 💜💜💜
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Thanks, Sis! I’ll tell you something funny about this story another time lol.
When you have a great piece of music and a frontman like Van Morrison, the songs are going to hold up for years and years.
Thanks for your lovely comments, Willow 🩶🩶🩶
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Intriguing, you’ve set the scene nicely!
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Thanks so much, Keith. Loving your new profile pic!
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You killed a lot of birds with one post Nancy and your story was very coherent.
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That’s great to know, Jim. And it’s not over yet!
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More birds to kill.
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The shock value moment: She was also a prostitute. Hoping she is okay and some ill fate has not befallen her…
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So very shocking! 😳
I’ve got it all under control ….. well, mostly. 😁
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Well, I hope no one got Gloria’s number…
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Fingers crossed, D!
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Van did this song later in life with John Lee Hooker. Probably my favourite version. Your story has a legacy to live up to, but I’m unconcerned – you’re on the right track. No pressure. 🙂
Thanks
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Oofah! I can feel the heat from here! 🔥
Stay tuned …. and thanks!
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You’ve set this up well for its continuation. What next for a tune – House Of The Rising Sun? 🤣
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Thanks, Clive …. and thanks for the tip! You’ll have to wait to see which song I chose. Here’s a hint: it wasn’t anything by the Animals. 😂
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So it won’t be We Gotta Get Outta This Place either? I look forward to whatever it will be 😊
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So do I. The suspense is killing me! 😂
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🤣
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Oh, Gloria, I hope she will be alright … Oh, Gloria, what a glorious old song … 🎵🌏📘
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With a very young Van Morrison at the helm of Them.
Thanks so much, dear Ivor! 😊
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Stop right there! You have my attention, waiting for the rest of the story…
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Hahaha! You won’t have long to wait, Dawg! Thanks so much!
Woof!
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I am at the edge of my seat. What kind of trouble was Aunt Gloria in? What did he find when he finally got to her apartment? The suspense is killing me!
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Hang on another day or two and all will be revealed.
Thanks, Fan!
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A very interesting story Nancy 👍🏼
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Thanks, Sadje. I hope to publish the next part in a day or two.
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Cool. Looking forward to reading it
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Great! Thanks! 🤗
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😍
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