“They don’t know how to park around here.”
Gail rolled her eyes. Just like Stella to find something to criticize, instead of taking in the big picture. And this was big! “How old are those?” she pointed at the castle’s remains on the hill. The walls stood sentry still. Empty windows portals to the past.
Mom consulted the guidebook. “11th Century. Even older foundations.”
Gail opened the window. The warm air smelled of old stone and fresh bread.
“Close that thing,” Stella groaned. “It’s probably full of plague.”
“Too late, then. Might as well stop for lunch before we’re dead.”
For Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers
Photo prompt: Sandra Crook
Always practical 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I mean, fresh bread, right? 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely! 👍🏼
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀 off to have some lunch! A sandwich. With fresh bread!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unassailable logic
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know, right? 😀
LikeLike
I visited that very castle last year and I’m pleased to confirm that I’m still alive! Nice one Na’ama.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whew! So no plague, eh? 🙂 Good to know (Not that Stella will be convinced … 😉 )
LikeLike
Where is this castle?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve got to love such tolerance in relationships. I am reminded of so many I know. Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, Bill! I bet we all know a Stella (and hopefully we all also know a bunch of Gails!) 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Na’ama Y’karah,
I have to admire Gail’s sense of humor. Necessary with a negative friend like Stella. I know a couple of Stellas actually. Very difficult to be around. Delicious description of the air aroma. Old stone and bread. Yeah, I can imagine it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, I think we all know a Stella … And they can be tiring, but thankfully balanced by a complement of Gails! 🙂
I think you’re soul knows that small of old stone and fresh bread – in only from the streets of the old cities of Safed and Acre and the Jerusalem and the like. It is a vibe. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
If I were Gail, I’d dump Stella as travelling companion. I’d be too hard-pressed to remain patient. I’d dump her ass at the next bus stop!!
Oh, and I agree, that scent of bread and old stone can be intoxicating 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! Stella may not be the dump-able type – what if she’s (gasp!) Gail’s sister? But, yeah, as a friend, she would not be much fun to travel with. And … I agree about the intoxication … 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Then she is even MORE dumpable.
One thing is for sure, I would find another travel companion (or better yet, go it alone)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha! Yeah, I hear ya. Gail may not yet have an option if her mama decides who goes with … BUT … life gets more independent in a hurry, and then … yeah, one chooses who to travel with … (And, yeah, though I prefer to go with FUN friends and companions, I’d chosen to go it alone here and there and I didn’t mind it – there are always new friends to make, and it is nice to make one’s own schedule as one goes. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have a friend who hates travelling with anyone; having become very used to going it alone. The having to make deals on what to do and see? Nope… Not happening!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I understand it AND I also like having both options – sometimes solo travel is great, sometimes not-solo travel is great. It kind of depends on the mood, on the reason, on the space, the time, the plan. I like having me some options. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh for sure. I never thought I would be capable of travelling alone and not being scared or lonely. But I did it in 2016 and it was the best thing I ever did. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t it great to have the option and the opportunity and the experience? I have to say that I am a pretty good travel companion to myself, and I did not ONCE disagree or refuse to do what I wanted to do … 😉 Your NYNF
LikeLike
Oy! Sometimes the only way to deal with a difficult person (because we all have them in our lives, don’t we?) is to make a joke and not take them too seriously. I think Gail and her mom should go off on their own and leave Stella behind (haha). Love the smell of “old stone and fresh bread.” 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha! I think they may well leave Stella to park the car (with the windows up) and go sniff out some old stone and fresh bread (with or without a sprinkling of plague)
LikeLiked by 1 person
The scent of old stone and fresh bread…that has to be is total bliss! I have a real thing about castles…can never see enough of them when in that part of the world ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hear ya! The history literally suffuses them, and the stories those walls could tell!
LikeLike
Stella’s observations, in the short term, may have been legitimate, but it was still such a fab place with such interesting history. She could have at least put enjoyment of that first
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed! At the very least, some fresh bread! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think we’ve all had one of those trips with someone! You nailed it – the conversation just really rang true.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Patricia! I’m so glad it worked! 🙂
LikeLike
I’m afraid I’d have kicked Stella out of that car already. What an awful travel companion: stupid and arrogant. Great take!
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL, yeah, endearing she is not. Hopefully she has some redeeming qualities. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Food will give her strength to tolerate her friend. Nicely done
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen to that! And … I actually think she’ll do okay. She seems hardy enough to tolerate Stella without crumbling … 😉 Stella, however, I don’t know … 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
God bless her🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person