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Safer, by Jim Bartlett

10/10/2025

 
For the first time I can remember, there are two Editor's Choices this week.
Editor's Choice No.1
As they round the corner, Judy’s daughter grips her hand.

“Mom, why are those army men here? Is there a war?”

“No, Honey, they’re supposed to make us feel safer.”

“I don’t feel safer,” she replies, her voice trembling.

Judy’s heart sinks, realizing that while more and more cities are falling under “Marshall Law,” school shootings continue, with nothing being done. Masked men in unmarked vehicles grab people off the street, sending them who knows where. And those who dare speak out, questioning these atrocities, risk being censored, fired... or even arrested.

“I guess I don’t feel any safer, either.”
Pamela Kennedy
10/10/2025 08:45:06 am

Is there such a thing as safety anymore? Violent Criminals, prostitutes, and, yes, sadly misguIded law enforcement officers the list goes on and on...

Jim Bartlett link
10/10/2025 04:16:29 pm

Thanks, Pamela. Appreciate you taking a moment to read and comment!
Jim

Carol Garrasi
10/10/2025 10:31:14 am

Well said. Sadly that's what so many of us are thinking too. I like that it's the little girl asking the question. The impression these events are making on our children will resonate for generations. I can only hope it will be for the good.

Another good job Jim.

Jim Bartlett link
14/10/2025 03:47:24 pm

I think the young more and more are asking questions. And while what we are seeing today is an atrocity, both sides need to step up to the plate with some answers, or the next generation will find their own.
Thanks for the kind words, Carol.
Jim

Krystyna
10/10/2025 03:33:47 pm

In these crazy times there is no safety net for anyone. Well said, Jim.

Jim Bartlett link
10/10/2025 04:17:18 pm

Thanks, Krystyna. Crazy times indeed.

Jim

Jim Wilson-Storey
10/10/2025 03:49:04 pm

The child’s fear and her mother's despair are palpable.

Jim Bartlett link
10/10/2025 04:18:47 pm

Thanks, Jim. Despair is a good word. Most of the time helplessness reigns with me.
Jim

Jim Bartlett link
10/10/2025 04:20:05 pm

Thanks, Gordon, for the honor of being selected Editor's Choice.

Jim

david milner
10/10/2025 04:58:27 pm

I feel for the mother and child. Better they'll see.
Send out the positive vibes, Jim.

Jim Bartlett link
10/10/2025 05:06:50 pm

Thanks, David. I'm having to dig deeper and deeper to find those positive vibes. I'll latch on to those you've just sent in your kind comments.
Jim

MIchael McCarthy
10/10/2025 05:28:49 pm

just what is needed in these troubled times, a great story telling it how it is, mother and daughter totally convincing

Jim Bartlett link
10/10/2025 06:26:51 pm

Thanks so much for the kind words, Michael. Really appreciate it.

Jim

Drew Lackovic
10/10/2025 05:47:14 pm

Captured the Zeitgeist exactly here, Jim. Depressing, but well done.

Jim Bartlett link
10/10/2025 06:27:31 pm

Thanks, Drew. Depressing, indeed.
Jim

Don Tassone link
10/10/2025 05:58:28 pm

Great story, Jim, but this site is for fiction, not nonfiction. 😜

Jim Bartlett link
10/10/2025 06:28:39 pm

Thanks, Don. Ugh - keep blurring that line between nonfiction and fiction. ;-)
Thanks again
Jim

tony
11/10/2025 01:42:44 am

Well done Jim. Great story.

Jim Bartlett link
11/10/2025 06:16:22 am

Thanks, Tony. Really appreciate your kind words.

Jim

Larry Keeton
11/10/2025 01:42:57 am

Poignant.

Jim Bartlett link
11/10/2025 06:17:37 am

Thanks, Larry. I wish it didn't have to be.
Appreciate your comment!

Jim

Christa Loughrey
11/10/2025 06:25:00 am

Agree with other comments - an excellent story and well deserved editors choice.

Jim Bartlett link
11/10/2025 03:41:23 pm

Very much appreciated, Christa. Not all will agree, but that's sort of the idea of the story, and it's okay.
Thanks again
Jim

Cheryl Dahlstrand
11/10/2025 03:59:17 pm

Good observations- feeling safer and being safer may be two separate things. In this apt tale, neither are achieved.

Jim Bartlett link
11/10/2025 04:11:26 pm

Indeed, Cheryl. But it should also be okay to say so, and that's not the case today. Really appreciate your comments!

Take care
Jim

Sue Clayton
12/10/2025 01:24:23 am

A sign of very uncertain times.

Jim Bartlett link
12/10/2025 01:33:44 am

Thanks, Sue.
I wish I could disagree.

Jim

Robert P. Bishop
12/10/2025 04:14:30 am

Hi Jim...interesting story. and all too real. Troops patrolling American cities... surreal for sure, yet here we are. Hunh...

Jim Bartlrett link
12/10/2025 06:33:30 am

Here we are, indeed. The divide seemingly growing wider.

Thanks ever so much for your comment.

Take care
Jim

Marjan sierhuis
13/10/2025 12:02:06 pm

Thank you, Jim for your thought provoking story. It was wonderful to see your beautiful writing ✍️ once again displayed on the site.

Marjan

Jim Bartlett link
13/10/2025 05:58:53 pm

Thanks ever so much for the kind words and encouragement, Marjan. We could use one of your fine stories here now and again as well. ;-) Most of my efforts (few and far between - time has not been my friend) as of late, have been longer stories, thus they don't quite fit here on wonderful FFF. Thanks again.
Jim

Libby Belle link
15/10/2025 06:41:30 pm

Well done, for sure, Jim! I will be glad when we can write about something good in today's world. Oh, the damage we face. Argh! Excuse me while I go blow up my inflatable chicken costume for Saturday's "No Kings" peaceful protest.

Jim Bartlett link
15/10/2025 11:18:55 pm

Thanks, Libby. I, too, will be much more pleased to be writing about something positive, upbeat, and with compassion and love. Just not the case right now.
And thanks much for getting out there (especially in your chicken costume!!) and peacefully expressing how so many of us feel. It's truly appreciated.
Take care
Jim


Comments are closed.

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