Photo credit @J.S.Brand
A New Circus
by T. Delaplain
They say you can’t run away from yourself. Maybe not, but you can leave the circus. I suppose you posted on Facebook, “My love, missing since …” Since you rearranged my face the last time.
There’s no internet, so who gives a shit?
I cook, clean, wait on tables and turn a few tricks when I can see life through the empty bottle.
I was screwed by you, but this is better somehow. The tequila’s cheap and there’s running water some days. Might be a different circus but at least these aren’t my monkeys.
Missing Persons
Do you ever wonder about missing persons on Facebook? Does the person want to be found? Who’s looking for them? Is a child missing because the parent wanted to escape the abuse and ran or are they embroiled in a bitter child custody battle? If the police post it, is it ok to share? Who’s right and who’s wrong? I don’t re-post missing persons because I just don’t know. Do you wonder about this or am I just over thinking it?
What are you running from?
If you want to join the Friday Fictioneers’ Circus swing by the famous Rochelle Wisoff’s blog at Addicted to Purple and post your 100 word story.
Tracey Delaplain, MD 
It’s funny you should ask those questions. The only “Missing Persons” I do share on Facebook do come from the police and are dated…
As for your story… ouch. This one definitely does not want to be found, even if her circumstances are not ideal…
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Finding a circus at the bottom of a bottle sounds like a bad idea
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Definitely.
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It is a difficult question, I do not believe that you are over thinking it. But many people go missing because of mental illness or situations outside their control: situations that are not caused by their family. It is really sad.
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I don’t know whether it’s right or wrong. Possibly a bit of both. But I do know this is a gritty and moving story about one answer
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Thanks Neil
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well, some people remain missing because they don’t want to be found. 🙂
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This is true
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Dear Tracey,
I never pass those things on on Facebook. I don’t trust anything that requires my passing it along. Send me PM forward? It dies there. Good story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I agree. FB is a cesspool of viruses and information thieves. Thank you for stopping by Rochelle.
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I am happy she is in a place where she can breathe free.
Some people perhaps really need a new beginning, be done with the past forever.
A wonderfully written thought-provoking story, Tracey.
I don’t share missing, copy+paste posts on FB, mainly because I don’t trust their authenticity, but sometimes I do feel guilty when it’s a child and I live in India
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Thanks Moon. Your comment made me think of the story behind “Lion” and how social media might have helped. Of course the internet isn’t a reality for many around the world even now.
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Wonderfully gritty story, somehow I admire her attitude and fortitude, even if she is in low circumstances.
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She’s a survivor but she’s still a victim. Who knows what anyone is willing to accept in their darkest hours.
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Oh, you tell so much in your 100-words. Nicely done.
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Thanks Alicia
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well I feel as if you went right into the missing persons notes without a separation – not a big deal and might only be me- but was still chewing on the story and it seemed like that was part of it (so I guess I like a space and then the title author notes)
but this is such an interesting topic – I am not a facebooker and so had no idea there were missing person posts.
but I did hear that fb is going to be the biggest online graveyard one day –
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Perhaps
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🙂
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Great story – you’ve managed to convey so much in so few words. Well done!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you Susan
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From one circus to another, but at least the tequila’s cheap. Nice one Tracy.
Click to read my 100 Word Story!
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There probably isn’t enough tequila in the world to save her.
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A thought-provoking piece
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Thank you Dahlia
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What a great story… I think sometimes it’s better not to be found… Reminds me a bit of Susan Alexander Kane in the Citizen Kane…
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True. I never plan to hide in an empty tequila bottle.
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There are lots of things I don’t repost: Those “pass this on to ten people, including me, so I’ll know you love me” things. They die in my messenger. And I don’t repost missing persons, either. Who knows whether they’re legitimate or not?
Anyway, your story is outstanding. Really atmospheric.
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I agree. Facebook is a cesspool of viruses, misinformation and information thieves and many people don’t understand that. It’s entertaining at best. Thank you for reading and commenting.
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I rarely see a missing person post on facebook but your story certainly has given me a lot to think about.
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I see them every day. Ugh, I’m not sure why they’re on my feed. Every story is tragic for someone; those who are lost, those who are looking and those who are running away.
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Perhaps it is our locations. I live in a fairly rural area.
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That’s an interesting point. I wonder if people do sometimes use social media to “find” people who aren’t really lost. Cautionary tale.
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