“Something I ate,” Ingrid said, resting her head on the toilet seat. “You go. We can’t come all this way and both of us sit in the hotel room for the weekend.” He kept his back to her; could never cope with sickness.
In the old quarter he asked for a street-side table for one, ordered a 2005 Vieux Château Certan, ate cassoulet, and drinking his coffee, watched the girls go by. When he had paid he chose a pretty one, older than Ingrid, who took him to an attic room.
On the flight home Ingrid told him she was pregnant.
***
Update: Quite rightly everyone hated the man in this story. So the week after I wrote it, I thought I would see if I could change readers’ minds about him, when they had more facts. Click here to read A Good Dinner Part II.
Apologies to Sandra for not only writing my first idea, but also writing about ladies of the night, but they both fitted so well this week.
For those who don’t know how Friday Fictioneers works, this picture, supplied this week by Kent Bonham is our inspiration for our weekly online writing group hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Click here to read other people’s amazing stories or to join in. And please comment below with any suggestions for improvement on mine.
Claire Fuller 
As always, Claire, beautifully written story about someone who, if you took out the first letter and dropped a bit more than half the rest, would be perfectly described by the remains of a good. “cassoulet”.
janet
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Hah! I think you’re right there Janet. Glad you liked it.
Claire
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Loved the subtle way you brought out this guy’s character. Well done.
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Thanks, I’m glad you liked it.
Claire
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Oh why do I feel so badly for poor Ingrid. You have a way of getting the character across without actually saying anything about the character – I hated him in 100 words. I hope he got heartburn from the cassoulet …
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Maybe he got more than heartburn but not from the cassoulet. I can see I’m going to have try and make him redeem himself a little next week.
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Well, that’s a kick in the teeth. Fantastic, though.
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Thanks Helena. Glad it gave you a punch.
Claire
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This was great. I hope he gets more than heartburn, lol 🙂
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Exactly what I said to Sandra! Thanks for reading.
Claire
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Great atmosphere and Ingrid’s illness really clinches it at the end. That guy ought to have his “juevos” cracked. Smart story! Thanks.
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Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
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Poor Ingrid!
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Hmm, I’m not so sure…. Thanks for reading
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What a rotter! Heartless, selfish b**%^&d. You paint a fine picture of a horrible bloke well. Great stuff.
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That is what I was hoping readers would think.
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Dear Claire,
We know which brain he thinks with, don’t we? Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hah! You could be right. Thanks
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I agree with Janet’s comment! I’m not sure the character can be redeemed after that. Faithlessness, stupidity and poor judgment are a pretty damning combination….
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I like everyone’s strong emotions about reading this. Thanks Jan.
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Perhaps it wasn’t the food that was making her sick. You’ve shown a horrible character with clever subtlety. Loved this, Claire.
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Neither the food nor the pregnancy…
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Ah, I see what you mean… sick of him perhaps
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Exactly.
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Men will be men-sigh!Ingrid hasn’t chosen very well,has she?Hope the baby makes a difference!A wonderfully crafted piece Claire:-)
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I think there might be more going on between Ingrid and her man. Really glad you enjoyed it. Thanks
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🙂
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Who is this bloke?! Get rid. Well portrayed.
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It’s great to write a character that everyone feels so strongly about, even if it’s hate. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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So well done, Claire! I am getting to these late, but yours is fantastic! Each line is vivid and well crafted. “he chose a pretty one, older than Ingrid.” Oh, just want to bash him! Bravo!
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Ah, that’s such a nice comment. I’m glad he / it made you feel strongly. Claire
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Well crafted story, a whole lot in 100 words.
Super.
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Thanks so much for reading and commenting. Glad you enjoyed it.
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Pingback: Short story: A good dinner (part II) | W O R K S
I read your ‘forward back’ story as well! Can we ever be more than ‘eavesdroppers’ on other people’s lives? Your story shows how we can construct our stories by expanding out from one scene, sometimes exploding, sometimes imploding. 🙂
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I once went to Tokyo with my wife for a few days and she was in the hotel room most of the time with a high fever, so I went out and looked around and brought her back food. I didn’t do anything like this guy though. If I read this first, I would feel really bad for Ingrid, but I read the second one first, so it sounds like they weren’t made for each other.
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