I gently scooped up the pureed vegetables that seeped out of your mouth and ran down your chin. The muslin tucked into your t-shirt was soaked with drool. You waved your hand uncoordinatedly trying to grab the plastic spoon. “No my beautiful boy”, I gently chided. “Let Mummy do it”.
I loved you so fiercely. Had that not been enough? Why had you felt such a desperate need to follow the crowd? The adverse reaction to drugs you had taken at a party had left you, at the age of 22, unable to explain.
I cry for you, and myself.
Written for The Friday Fictioneers. A 100 word story inspired by a photo prompt.
fabricating fiction 
This was amazing. Amazing. THIS THIS THIS is what I once referred to as “the proper way to do a twist ending” — how you change the reader’s perspective so that they realize that what they believed at first is completely different than they imagined. Very well done.
My only suggestion would be that the phrase “The adverse reaction to drugs you had taken at a party” is a bit awkward. You may want to try something like “One experiment too many, one mind-blowing experience with some drugs at a party left you…”
Thanks so much Helena. Yes I did play around a little with that sentence as didn’t flow but couldn’t come up with a better alternative within the word count. Should have left and come back to. I guess I need to develop some patience!
I agree with Helena–what a great twist ending, although sad and probably more realistic than we care to know. Well done.
Thanks Jan.
I agree with Helena and Jan. This is probably the living hell hundreds of parents have had to endure over the last two decades. I hurt for them and wish for them some relief and a day in the sun with a gentle breeze to help them through the difficult path that will come. So very sad. Nan
Yes, I worry a lot with teenage boys of my own but they have all made good choices so far. It only takes one wrong choice to change everything,
I had 4 boys and we were always checking them out, carefully. I didn’t invade their privacy but I know it was scary during their high school years about drugs. What I was really concerned about was their induction into a fraternity that during initiation poured hard liquor down their throats. Nan
That sentence you struggled with was a little expositional. But it was a great idea and a good twist. Well done.
Thanks Sandra.
I have a 22 year old son and although he has no interest in drugs I felt this very deeply.
My eldest is 19. It’s a very different world out there for them nowadays.
Oh so wonderful. You pull us in with the baby, and then spit us out with the 22-year-old. Brilliant.
Thanks Claire.
I fear I must follow the crowd on this. The twist was amazing. Never saw that coming. Kudos!
Thanks Adam 🙂
Oh my, heartbreaking. I was sensing darkness approaching….and you delivered. Wonderful.
Thank you.
Such sadness in this, and using the picture for follow the crowd. How often is that not the case. The form of a monologue works so well.
Thanks.
That’s sad. And it’s happening far to much. Show it to the kids.
I thought you really managed to portray a parent’s grief. Well done.
That’s a great idea Patrick.
Heartbreaking. I love how you interpreted the photo, very unique.
Thank you Rachel
It’s all been said! Great, unexpected twist that made me groan with heartache. Well done.
Thanks for commenting Alicia.
Great take on the prompt and a very strong message. Nice one.
Thanks.
Dear Fabricating,
Amazing take on the prompt. So many sad drug related stories. Every parent’s nightmare Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle.
so lovely and tragic. great take.
Thanks for reading.
How sad. You did very well with the prompt. Nicely done., Lucy
Thanks Lucy.
Good story, though very sad. I feel blessed that my kids who are now in their 30’s never got into drugs. It’s destroyed many lives. Kids think when they’re young that they’re invincible. It’s often the parents who suffer right along with them. Well done. —Susan
Thanks Susan. You think you will worry less when they get older but I think I worry more now than when they were babies!
Chilling and heartbreaking all at once. Great story, Fab.
Thanks.
This is every parents nightmare. Thank God none of my kids were interested in experimenting with drugs. Now my prayers are for my nine grandchildren. You’ve done a great job with the prompt.
Goodness I guess I will have to worry all over again with grandchildren – yikes!
Great post, great take on the picture. It is a story that could be my sisters. Although her son made it through the drug period, alcohol killed him at age 26. I pray for everyone who thinks they need to go to the extreme.
That’s so sad Deb. I teach Mindfulness to recovering addicts and their families, something I chose to do due to personal reasons. I am sorry your nephew didn’t make it through.
Thanks to you for what you do! Takes special people to do that! Matt’s death was harder on me than my parents death. So young, so unexpected, so sad as he was her only. Best part is, his girlfriend was a couple weeks pregnant with my sisters only grandchild. Matthew Jr. is now her life.
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