RANCH HOUSE

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 ย 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 aroundย 150 words, based on the weekly photo prompt. Thanks as always to the challenge host Priceless Joy. For more information visitย HERE.

To read other stories based on this weekโ€™s prompt, visitย HERE.

62 responses to “RANCH HOUSE”

  1. Great piece. Diversity should be celebrated yet so often it is the ones who love us most that give us the hardest time.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. I don’t think he should tell his dad he’s a vegetarian at all because I don’t think he’ll have a home after that. Nicely written.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, I hope his dad will come round to having a vegetarian on the ranch!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I hope so too since his dad didn’t sound like this kind of person at all.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Being a vegetarian seems to be the bigger “issue” here. Great story!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. When you’ve spent your life raising cattle it’s a blow to him, no doubt ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  4. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

    Perhaps dad could change, turn the farm over to growing crops! ๐Ÿ™‚ And allow the cattle to roam once more!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Nice solution ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  5. This is fabulous Iain. I love that you tackle such a heavy topic with a hint of humor. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks LaRonda, that was the aim, glad you appreciated it.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Something tells me his dad will learn to accept Jack’s sexual orientation, but being a vegetarian? Oh boy, there’s no coming back from that! ๐Ÿ˜‰ Nice story Iain .

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Jade, I know which one he will struggle more with to accept ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Well, you really got your storylines in quick. I’d imagine on the farm, the vegetarian would be the deal breaker. Great story

    Liked by 1 person

    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!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. The ending made me laugh!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Debra, glad you appreciated the humour!

      Like

  9. Save the best for last. If he doesn’t want his dad to have a heart attack, he should save it for ‘Never’. ๐Ÿ˜€

    Liked by 1 person

    1. ๐Ÿ™‚ thanks for commenting. Yes, it’s not going to be easy for him!

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Veg and non-veg may soon be a political dichotomy. Great take.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hopefully doesn’t come to that. Thanks for commenting.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. I think he’ll take his son being non-vegetarian even more poorly. Or not – we can live in hope! I needed a laugh this morning, and this story was perfect for it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Chris, glad I could give you a little laugh ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks David, glad you saw the humour in it.

      Like

  13. Lol. Very nicely observed

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanking you ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Neel, much appreciated as always.

      Like

  15. Cattle rancher isn’t going to be too keen that he is a vegetarian AND gay! I feel sorry for him needing his dad’s acceptance. Great story, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think he’ll be okay with gay eventually, but vegetarian is going to cause arguments! Thanks PJ.

      Like

      1. Hahaha! I think you are right, Iain!

        Liked by 1 person

  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.

    Liked by 1 person

  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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, much appreciated.

      Like

  18. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Enjoyable read. Such a clever way of addressing two different issues. His dad has a lot to come to grips with! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks I think he’ll cope eventually!

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Gay and vegetarian! Would love to know how the rest of the evening went. ๐Ÿ˜€

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Not smoothly that’s for sure ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Nancy ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  21. I love the humour in this, Iain, and you depict the scene around the table so well. Two issues nicely dealt with. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Millie, glad you liked it ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  22. Hi, I’m majesticgoldenrose, and I am glad you liked my prompt. Great post, btw!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for the prompt and your kind comment Kate.

      Like

  23. I wonder what else he’s got up his sleeve? They say things come in threes!
    Nice one Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I hope my for his father’s sake. Thanks Keith.

      Like

  24. Why would anyone want to be a vegetarian after all??? Haha. Very nice!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Why indeed? Thanks for reading and your comment ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  25. Hi, I’m majesticgoldenrose, and I am thrilled you used my prompt. Great post, btw! Very relateable, honestly.

    Like

  26. I loved the end. Great story. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, glad you liked it ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  27. 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’. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Not at all, thanks for commenting ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  28. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Mandi, glad you liked it. Looking forward to reading the interview piece tomorrow. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I did. You bet ๐Ÿ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

  29. The dad just might have apoplexy ha! Good story Iain ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

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