When Harold Called
Prank call? No joke18 total reviews
Comment from kmoss
I am working on a poem about peer pressure and this piece FLASHED (I had to scroll through many flashes to find it, I thought it was titled A Call From Harold) in my mind. Dare to be different when it matters. This story is one that stayed with me!
reply by the author on 15-Dec-2020
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I am working on a poem about peer pressure and this piece FLASHED (I had to scroll through many flashes to find it, I thought it was titled A Call From Harold) in my mind. Dare to be different when it matters. This story is one that stayed with me!
Comment Written 15-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 15-Dec-2020
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Wow--blast from the past--delighted that you took the time to review for two cents--how/where did this "FLASH" and how did you know the theme?
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Random scrolling one day. 🤷🏻♀️
Comment from royowen
I've always been a bit funny when it comes to people, I love the underdog, the one that no one else loves. I guess because my mother was sometimes verbally cruel, so I knew what it felt like to be talked down, but it developed a belligerence in me, I struggle with being reactive. I was good at sport, which is a lifesaver, So I can always relate to stories like this, well done, Liz, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 26-Nov-2020
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I've always been a bit funny when it comes to people, I love the underdog, the one that no one else loves. I guess because my mother was sometimes verbally cruel, so I knew what it felt like to be talked down, but it developed a belligerence in me, I struggle with being reactive. I was good at sport, which is a lifesaver, So I can always relate to stories like this, well done, Liz, blessings Roy
Comment Written 26-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 26-Nov-2020
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Thank you, loyal fan! Always a pleasure--your eloquence is appreciated!
Comment from Mary Vigasin
As someone who was bullied and maligned in school , this hit home.
What I found and what moved me is that your true and the depth of your character came out not as an adult but in talking to Harold. It showed how much heart you had
Mary
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2020
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As someone who was bullied and maligned in school , this hit home.
What I found and what moved me is that your true and the depth of your character came out not as an adult but in talking to Harold. It showed how much heart you had
Mary
Comment Written 25-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2020
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Mary--what a lovely ssssssurprise. More meaningful to me are your thoughtful and eloquent words. Stop by anytime--always a pleasure. Cheers. LIZ
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Happy Thanksgiving.
You certainly deserved it.
Mary
Comment from Anne Johnston
Very well written. I guess human nature hasn't changed, young people are still not kind when dealing with those who are different from them. I really like the fact that the writer realized what her friends had done, and chose to be kind to the boy on the phone.
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2020
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Very well written. I guess human nature hasn't changed, young people are still not kind when dealing with those who are different from them. I really like the fact that the writer realized what her friends had done, and chose to be kind to the boy on the phone.
Comment Written 24-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2020
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Thank you Anne! You are quick--just posted this--actually, a re-promotion--you are reviewer #15--I thank you in advance for the blue ribbon recognition icon! Stop by anytime. Cheers. LIZ
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Congratulations for your promotion
Comment from Ric Myworld
Kids can be so honest, almost brutally so. And then, they can also be so cruel and uncaring, never once thinking for an instant about the pain and suffering they cause for a laugh or the lasting hurt instilled that never truly goes away. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 18-Jul-2020
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Kids can be so honest, almost brutally so. And then, they can also be so cruel and uncaring, never once thinking for an instant about the pain and suffering they cause for a laugh or the lasting hurt instilled that never truly goes away. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 18-Jul-2020
reply by the author on 18-Jul-2020
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Thank YOU for reading! Cheers. LIZ
Comment from Benshu-bookgai
The build to a nuanced paradigm shift made for a wonderful--albeit painful-- memory to read; though I don't have a cognitive disorder, I've been made the stooge before in a similar way to Harold.
Paragraph 13, it seems like a word was omitted: "searing sense of the agony Harold's ___must have endured"
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2020
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The build to a nuanced paradigm shift made for a wonderful--albeit painful-- memory to read; though I don't have a cognitive disorder, I've been made the stooge before in a similar way to Harold.
Paragraph 13, it seems like a word was omitted: "searing sense of the agony Harold's ___must have endured"
Comment Written 02-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2020
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Thank you for your thoughtful review--and for your sharp eyes! The "mother" has been put in her rightful place. Stop by anytime!
I've read some of your fine work lately. Cheers. LIZ
Comment from Michele Harber
What a beautiful and touching story. It's wonderful that, as a young teen, you had that degree of kindness and empathy. I was in a similar position in elementary school, being the one child who refused to make fun of the boy who spoke to trees. I never understood his behavior, but I suspected that he didn't either, so couldn't be held responsible for it. Consequently, he went out of his way to speak to me. I did avoid him when I could but, when he spoke to me directly, I responded and did so without judgement or negativity.
What you did for Harold, allowing him to speak to you and responding kindly, was probably the nicest thing any child had done for him to that point. Who knows if Harold had the capability to remember that incident, but I'm sure his mother never forgot.
You told your story brilliantly, with compassion but, also, with charming turns of phrase like "you squirmed to vacate the seat where the buck stopped" and "the deck held a pair of jokers I couldn't abide." I also didn't miss your well-placed alliterations, i.e., "tittering over Tommy Tuneless" and "brayed about his beauty in the ballroom."
All in all, I enjoyed reading your story, and couldn't find even a single proofing error. Excellent job!!
reply by the author on 21-Mar-2020
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What a beautiful and touching story. It's wonderful that, as a young teen, you had that degree of kindness and empathy. I was in a similar position in elementary school, being the one child who refused to make fun of the boy who spoke to trees. I never understood his behavior, but I suspected that he didn't either, so couldn't be held responsible for it. Consequently, he went out of his way to speak to me. I did avoid him when I could but, when he spoke to me directly, I responded and did so without judgement or negativity.
What you did for Harold, allowing him to speak to you and responding kindly, was probably the nicest thing any child had done for him to that point. Who knows if Harold had the capability to remember that incident, but I'm sure his mother never forgot.
You told your story brilliantly, with compassion but, also, with charming turns of phrase like "you squirmed to vacate the seat where the buck stopped" and "the deck held a pair of jokers I couldn't abide." I also didn't miss your well-placed alliterations, i.e., "tittering over Tommy Tuneless" and "brayed about his beauty in the ballroom."
All in all, I enjoyed reading your story, and couldn't find even a single proofing error. Excellent job!!
Comment Written 21-Mar-2020
reply by the author on 21-Mar-2020
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Michele-- I am blown away by your lovely response--bonus star always appreciated to offset revenge reviews (I learned the hard way in week one--just kidding nowadays, I hope). Funny coincidence that I get your bonus star the day after my profile parody tune on the subject. Cheers. LIZ
Comment from Janilou
You are a good, good person. Even when you were a teenager, you were already a fantastic human being.
I work with mentally handicapped people. I know exactly what you mean.
This line really struck me:
As with a bi-coastal romance, that we would inevitably drift apart was in the cards. The deck held a pair of jokers I couldn't abide.
You deserve a sky full of stars for your kindness. I can only give you six for this moving piece.
All the best,
Jan
reply by the author on 21-Mar-2020
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You are a good, good person. Even when you were a teenager, you were already a fantastic human being.
I work with mentally handicapped people. I know exactly what you mean.
This line really struck me:
As with a bi-coastal romance, that we would inevitably drift apart was in the cards. The deck held a pair of jokers I couldn't abide.
You deserve a sky full of stars for your kindness. I can only give you six for this moving piece.
All the best,
Jan
Comment Written 21-Mar-2020
reply by the author on 21-Mar-2020
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Jan-- I am blown away by your lovely response--bonus star always appreciated to offset revenge reviews (I learned the hard way in week one--just kidding nowadays, I hope). Funny coincidence that I get your bonus star the day after my profile parody tune on the subject! Cheers. LIZ
Comment from jaylar
As a one time middle school teacher, I see a lot of honesty in the depiction of you and your 8th grade friends. I really enjoyed how this turned out to be a turning point in your life, and not about simply being cruel to SPED classmates- that gave it an air of reality to the situation. Very enjoyable.
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2020
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As a one time middle school teacher, I see a lot of honesty in the depiction of you and your 8th grade friends. I really enjoyed how this turned out to be a turning point in your life, and not about simply being cruel to SPED classmates- that gave it an air of reality to the situation. Very enjoyable.
Comment Written 19-Mar-2020
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2020
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Thank you. Bonus star much appreciated. Always handy to offset potential revenge review (learned this the hard way; lately I tread gently--so just kidding ?) I'm so glad you liked this piece. Cheers. LIZ
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
Your story is well-written. It told how several girl friends acted when around each other and how there are cliques in all schools. I'm glad you had remorse about the way the other two acted. Thanks for sharing. Respectfully, Jan
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2020
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Your story is well-written. It told how several girl friends acted when around each other and how there are cliques in all schools. I'm glad you had remorse about the way the other two acted. Thanks for sharing. Respectfully, Jan
Comment Written 19-Mar-2020
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2020
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And thank you, Jan, for your kind words. So glad you liked the piece. Had to enter it from a piece of paper--computer file long gone since job layoff 16 years ago (of course, I did this on my breaks!) Cheers. LIZ
