Crazy Town
The second I step from the Greyhound bus I taste regret. It’s coppery like blood, which is fitting since I’ve arrived in Crazy Town, where my family lives.
Five years ago, I couldn’t get away quickly enough. Now here I am, the proverbial dog with tail between its legs, seeking forgiveness. Or something.
Mom makes her infamous grilled cheese since I arrive at lunchtime. She smiles at me. No condemnations. No telling me that I’ve messed up my life—again.
“You’re so pretty, but you look tired,” she says.
The grilled cheese is just as delicious as I remember.
One of Mom’s cats jumps on her lap. “Everyone’s so happy that you’ve come back for a visit.”
I keep waiting for the other shoe to fall. It doesn’t.
My little sister, Elle, appears and hugs me, despite the last thing she said to me was how selfish I was.
Three hours later. Dad comes in. I swear there’s a tear in his eye.
At dinner, we laugh over the silly songs Elle and I used to make up. There are smiles. Laughter.
Love?
There’s no crazy in Crazy Town. A thought slowly dawns on me: Maybe the crazy was me.
end 4/3/2018
Sascha Darlington
Such a lovely story, Sascha. Sometimes, it is in our most difficult moments that we realise the value of family. I am so happy she is here, with the ones that love her, without keeping counts.
Thanks, Moon. I think she’s also coming to some realizations about herself.
Love it
Thank you, Deb! I appreciate your reading! 🙂
Great story. Makes me want a grilled cheese sandwich.
Me too. Which is why I made myself a grilled cheese sandwich for dinner. Couldn’t get it out of my head! lol
Maybe the me part was nice way to end! And nice flow to that point
Thanks. I think she left when she still had some growing up to do.
I appreciate your reading!
🙂
I love how you have an instant realization, that’s deep.
Thanks. Sometimes distance helps to see a situation better.
It’s amazing how you carry a reader through a range of emotion in such a short span. Nicely done.
Thanks. Sometimes it can feel a little like whiplash. 🙂
Crazy is all a matter of perspective – what’s normal after all? Nice voice in this one, Sascha.
Thanks, Iain. You’re right. And time makes a difference on realizing crazy too. 🙂
Crazy…. I have often realized it is me. I’m glad I have company in ‘crazy’.
Thanks, Anne. I suspect there are many of us in Crazy Town. 🙂
the end was amazing. this was a great read. 💕
Thanks so much, Shreya! 🙂