Many thanks, as always, to Rochelle for Friday Fictioneers.
Them Becomes Us
Heading home, I saw all this junk deposited on the sidewalk. An unfortunately familiar sight in our neighborhood. Someone loses a job. Someone gets sick. Someone can’t pay the rent. Someone’s life tossed to the curb.
No excuses, no second chances, no compassion.
Recognition spawned fear in me.
Benji’s highchair?
My backpack slid down my arms. My stomach churned.
Us?
Then I saw Momma weeping in the alcove, hugging Benji close. I leaned against the cold scratchy brick, frost etched into my hands. Every bit of me froze.
I knew losing Daddy to the virus was the worst day ever.
Until now.
end
I like the shift in register as she realises it’s her family
Dear Sascha,
A well written buildup to a sucker punch at the end.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you so much, Rochelle! 🙂
Powerful
Thank you so much! 🙂
Oh shit, Sascha. I got chills. The fact that it’s real for far too many makes it even more potent.
Thank you so much! 🙂
Very well done in content and form. Completely appropriate to the picture.
Many thanks, Oneta! 🙂
Perfectly set up climax. Gut-wrenching story.
Thank you so much, Dora! 🙂
Oh! This was so well done, Sascha. I love how we come to the realisation at the same time as she does. So sad.
Thank you so much, Dale! 🙂