Mum looked down at the table.

‘What do you mean you’re gay?’ The old rancher looked at his son.

‘I mean I’m gay, Dad.’

‘Well, when did you decide this?’

‘I didn’t decide, Dad, it’s just who I am.’

They ate the rest of  Sunday dinner in silence. Jack had only vegetable soup, while his Dad ate the beef roast and refused to look at him.

Later, Jack and his Mum stood by the paddock. A small calf came over and stared at them. Jack patted it’s soft hide.

‘He’ll come round, give him time. You know he’s old fashioned,’ his Mum said.

‘When should I tell him the other thing?’

‘One thing at a time, Jack. Being gay is one thing, I can only begin to imagine how he will react when you tell him you’re a vegetarian as well.’

photo-20170227154627754
MajesticGoldenRose

Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story in around 150 words, based on the weekly photo prompt. Thanks as always to the challenge host Priceless Joy. For more information visit HERE.

To read other stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

62 thoughts on “RANCH HOUSE”

    1. Thanks Mark. I think due to the time difference I get the prompts in the evening here rather than first thing in the morning. Thanks for the comment, vegetarian son for a cattle rancher is a hard sell!

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  12. Nice characterisation and scene. Brilliant twist at the end that infuses the piece with humour but doesn’t undermine the main topic. Well done, Iain.

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  14. Brilliant. His Dad’s sure getting it one after the other. Lain, you have dealt with such a serious issue in a non-invasive, humorous manner without in any way diluting the gravitas of the situation. Well done.

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  16. I live in Idaho and we really do have ranches here. A number of years back, one of my son’s friends came out to his Dad in the barn in his Dad’s property. The Dad listened and then just said, “OK”.

    Don’t think he was thrilled with the prospect, but he did his best to accept his son on his son’s terms.

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  17. The moment I read about him only eating the vegetable soup, I suspected that he may have another “secret”. Well done. The line, “Well, when did you decide this?”was particularly effective.

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  28. Somehow I think accepting his son is a vegetarian will be a lot harder than accepting he’s gay! Great story, Iain. I also hope you don’t mind me pointing out that on the second line there’s a ‘your’ where there should be a ‘you’re’. 🙂

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  29. Pretty hilarious piece Ian. The son admits to his Dad ‘the lesser of two evils’ (the Dad would call them so). Funny that being a vegan is the worse crime lol. Great comparison and underlying messages.

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