A 99 word story for Charli Mills’ flash fiction challenge.
He watched through the bullet proof, explosion proof glass canopy of his vehicle, the adoring crowds, weeping, waving, holding up their children to see him. How many security guards lined the route? How many marksmen were posted on the roofs? How many helicopters patrolled the city to detect any suspicious movement? It was necessary. His life was too important to be put at risk. It would be a shame about the children though, if terrorists struck
Too bad he couldn’t trust God to keep him safe, the Pope thought.
He raised a hand and slowly waved at a baby.
Jane Dougherty Writes 
Very good story!
Thank you Carol!
Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2016 13:55:55 +0000 To: jane.dougherty@dbmail.com
You’re welcome!
Too true.
In God we trust. But not for the really important things.
Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2016 14:56:46 +0000 To: jane.dougherty@dbmail.com
I could blind read this and still known it was you Jane! Super and clever
The wave at the end is a nice touch!
Aw, thanks Geoff 🙂 I’m ranting off about all sorts of things at the moment. Must be the weather. Religion is a biggie with me though.
Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2016 15:08:01 +0000 To: jane.dougherty@dbmail.com
Perfect. I loved the ending. 🙂
They always love children, don’t they, aged celibate men who preach chastity as the only way to be spiritually pure?
Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2016 22:22:55 +0000 To: jane.dougherty@dbmail.com
Well, best not to get me started on that one, Jane.
Kindred spirits…
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2016 11:19:20 +0000 To: jane.dougherty@dbmail.com
I thought diplomatic person of importance, then realized it was the Pope. What a juxtaposition of powers, the one who gets divine power relies on modern protection. Ah…that baby wave. Killer of a touch to this story!
Thanks Charli 🙂 If God can’t look after his right-hand man, there’s not much hope for the rest of us, is there?
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2016 09:29:50 +0000 To: jane.dougherty@dbmail.com
Not much!
Ohhhhhhhhhhhh I just read this on Charli’s round up and was all like “ohhhhh BOOOM, she didnt….. Oh, oh, she did! She went there!!” F***ing Loved this. You have single handedly got me out of my ferociously bad mood today. I love taking a punch at the powers that be, any of them, I don’t discriminate, but I especially like having a pop at the pope! This is deep. Goddamn love it.
Glad you liked the sentiments 🙂 I don’t have a particular thing about the Pope. I’d have a go at any of the towel heads, muftis chief rabbis the Dalai Lama but the Pope’s easier to spell. And I won’t get firebombed poking fun at him.
Loooool. Like I said, I don’t really discriminate, politicians, yobs, gobshites, sexists, bigots, misogynists, any religious or non religious affiliation…. In fact, anyone that cares to contradict my concept of right and wrong really!!
Had a bit of a day of it today. Possibly spoke my mind a bit too loudly, so this was utterly well timed!
It’s good to pick a victim and take a pop at him. There’s a hell of a lot to choose from 🙂
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2016 20:33:56 +0000 To: jane.dougherty@dbmail.com