Tag: short story

Keeping promises

Caressing the wrinkled patina of her skin, I realised how fleeting life had become. The woman who once loved, nurtured, and nursed me even, was now ridden to the linen that made up the hospital bed.

She grinned to assure me everything would be well. Despite knowing nothing would ever be well again, I obliged with a silent smile. It was my burden to bear — to watch the light in her eyes snuff out in one painless moment. It was mine duty to stand by her side in sickness and in health, for I’d vowed seven years ago: “I do”.

Show business

As an aspiring teenager in show business, Tina’s life had been difficult from the start. Her young blood had boiled every time money took precedence over talent. Her self-respecting self had cringed when industry’s leading names called her names and demanded unreason from her. Fifteen years it had taken for her to take her stand, to sparkle with pride, to face an audience and accept the globe she so deserved.

The glory, the globe, sat between her palms as she carried it off the stage, and all the while, the auditorium applauded the best actor of the year—the temporary identity she’d assumed on behalf of her costar. He was filming the next globe winner halfway across the globe.

Children grow up

The red Volkswagen Beetle pulled up at the gate. Mary sat reading on the porch, with a black retriever on the floor, his tail curled up and his belly heaving in massive breaths. She didn’t look up at the man who walked towards her.

“Hello Mom,” he paused for her acknowledgement. The dog had lifted his head, curious, but seeing an impassive Mary, remained seated.

“Hello Jason. How’re Carol and the kids?”

“Great! The twins love the new house — plenty of space.” He smiled sitting down next to his mother. “Oh, you got a dog since we moved out. Is it wild?”

“A little,” Mary replied stroking the dog. “But Jerry sure won’t bite the hand that fed him.”

Proud parents

Julia glowed in quiet pride. She’d nabbed her prize. She held on as if her life depended on it, and strutted along the path with her head high.

Every day her brothers had treated her like a useless lump of meat. They’d gather round at dinner flaunting their treasures while she remained in the shadows crouching, hoping they wouldn’t laugh at her.

Not any more. She growled to herself as she tightened her clutch on the little rabbit. Feeling his heartbeat racing under her paws, she entered their home. Her parents couldn’t believe their youngest chimp had begun hunting already.

A comforting shoulder

From behind his picket fence, Benjamin saw the kids playing. Along with the five year old twins from across the lawn, was the oldest kid in the block, Ryan. The three of them held a small teddy bear above Mark’s face — the three year old who’d just moved to the neighbourhood with his grandparents.

Ben remained rooted as Mark reached out to his teddy, and failing. Ryan was laughing, the pinkish gums behind his primary teeth, now gleaming in the sun. When his mother called for dinner, he cast the teddy aside and ran, the twins in his wake.

Mark had slopped on the ground, weeping. Retrieving the teddy from the sludge, Benjamin sat beside the child, and put his arm around him.

Bullied kids need a comforting shoulder. Ben knew, because he’d had none.