By, Nan Claire Falkner
“It’s a museum now.” Carole said.
“This is where all those great songs came from?” Harry asked.
“Yes, sweetie, we wrote most of them here.”
“Mama, why didn’t they ever acknowledge you?”
“Well, this business is cut-throat, and even though I wrote two hits for Dyn-Dyn , there was a complication.”
“Well, I think it stinks – you deserved your name on those songs – just as much as they did.”
Cal was sitting in the sunlit chair when they walked in the room.
“Hey Babe! I see you got my first check.”
“Cal, this is your son Harry.”
“What?”
nanclairefalkner 
I wonder who ask “WHAT?” — Cal or Harry
BOTH! Thanks Honey!
Hi, Nan. Good, creative story based on this week’s prompt. I was confused by this: “Walking into the studio, there sat Cal . . . ” I’m guessing this must be one of those misplaced modifiers because Cal can’t be walking and sitting all at the same time. May I suggest instead: “As mother and son walked into the studio, they saw Cal . . .”
Dear Marie Gail – You are right – it was so poorly written – now I’ve changed it. See if you like it any better and thanks for bringing this to my attention! I really DO appreciate it! Nan 🙂
I think your initial take is better. It’s more alive and the context lets the reader understand. Sometimes rules get in the way of the flow.
Complications, huh? Oh dear ……
what an ending. life’s full of surprises. 🙂
Thank you so much plaridel for stopping by and commenting – I truly appreciate it. Nan 🙂
Sounds like someone is getting a big surprise! Clever dialogue, Nan. 🙂
Dear Dawn, Thank you so much for commenting and glad you liked it. I didn’t spend more than 20 minutes on this weeks prompt. I have a busy week – and I know you do too, so I appreciate your time! Nan 🙂
Packed and ready… off tomorrow! 😀
Strange that this response is coming thru’ now, when you sent it three years ago! Oh my!
Dear Nan,
I’d say there was a complication! Looks like Carole might be getting more than an acknowledgement from Cal, At least I hope so. Spot on dialogue.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Dear Rochelle, Thank you so much for reading and commenting. At some point, I realized that this is a picture of your son’s music room. WOW! I bet he has had a blast in there. There were so many different things that we could pick from (in this picture) to write about. And as always, thank you for being our leader! Nan 🙂
Dear Nan,
That’s only one side of the room. To the right of those records is a rather large row of guitars. My son earns a portion of his living with his music. To say I’m proud of him would be an understatement.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Sounds like she got something out of her song-writing collaboration after all! What a way to break it to them.
Dear draliman, Yes she did, and I think that Harry is a lot better than a paycheck anyway. Thank you for stopping by and commenting! Nan 🙂
Clever story. I enjoyed it.
Dear Caerlyn, Thank you so much! Nan 🙂
Fun – plus a BIG surprise!
Dear Alicia, Thank you so very much for reading my story and commenting! Yes, it is a big surprise! Nan 🙂
Cal sure got a lot more than a check! Clever take Nan!
Greetings from Greece!
Maria (MM Jaye)
Dear Maria, Thank you for stopping by and reading my story! Nan 😉
interesting and intriguing, nice dialogues
Dear I B Arora, Thank you for stopping by and your comment! Nan 🙂
And now we all know what the complication was. Looks like its going to get more complicated for Cal. Nice one.
Dear Subroto, The way the story is written – even I don’t know if Cal knew he had a son, but I think he was broad sided. Thanks for reading! Nan 🙂
WHOA! Snap!!! Great story, Nan. Packed a punch in there. Mom didn’t hold back, did she? This musician gives it five sforzandos.
So it was much more than pure business-interests, Nan 🙂
Nicely expressed with a surprise twist 🙂
Dear Anita, Work place romances – all the time! Thanks, Nan 🙂
Nice take Nan.
That’s the music business for you. It’s full of complications, I bet, and people who don’t get the credit they deserve. Great take, Nan.
Dear Amy, Thank you very much for reading my story and commenting. I know – anything to do with show business, or music has complications! Nan 🙂
Ah – love that kind of surprise. Hmm wonder if Cal and Harry will bond…
Dear Bjorn, I don’t know – but they probably will bond – if Carole and Cal have a good conversation. I hope they do. Thanks for reading, Nan 🙂
Nice story, but I thought they were in the room to start with so I got a bit confused. Cal can’t have been a very nice man if he’s only sent one cheque!
Nice story. Happens all the time.
Dear Patrick, Yes in every business – just about – there is something going on. As long as it isn’t forced on. Thanks! Nan 🙂
I loved this as an opening for something much bigger, so much to tell 🙂
Dear Helen, From you, this means so much to me because you are such an accomplished writer. I appreciate it! Thanks, Nan 🙂
Great dialogue and I love a twisty ending. This is such a fun, supportive group. I look forward to getting such supportive critique in my creative writing. (And by creative, I mean my use of punctuation.). 😄
What??? Ahaha…men!
Dear Dawn, Thanks for reading my story, and commenting! Yes, MEN! Nan 🙂
Great beginning, good pace, a surprise at the end – wonderful story!
Thank you so much for reading and commenting – I truly appreciate it! Nan 🙂
Convincing dialogue that packs in so much. Well told.
Marg
Dear Margirene, Thanks for reading and commenting! I really like yours too! Nan 🙂
Well that’s one way to let son and dad know – would love to know what comes next. (I agree with Patrick on the word order – the original version and more impact.)
Thanks for visiting! Nan 🙂
Oooh, nice twist at the end! I liked the way you handled the ugly side of the industry, too.
Dear empeck, Thank you for reading and commenting! Happens all the time in real life! Nan 🙂
I liked that ending … what a perfect ending to that dialogue-story, in which an entire life was encapsulated!
Thank you so much Dreamer. What a nice comment! Nan 🙂
Loved the twist in the ending 🙂