‘Grandad, you smell funny.’
‘It’s because I’m sad.’
‘Mum says it’s because you drink too much.’ I thought of all the empty bottles in my recycling tub and my face flamed.
Four year old Ben surveyed me, ‘What does happiness smell like then?’
I closed my eyes and inhaled. ‘Like vanilla, like cake.’
‘Like Grandma used to make?’
I swallowed hard, ’Just like Grandma used to make.’
‘I miss Grandma.’ He wrapped his pudgy arms around my legs.
‘Me too.’ I unscrewed the top of the nearest bottle and poured the contents down the sink.
I smiled at Ben. ‘Fancy trying some baking?’
Written for Friday Fictioneers. A 100 word story inspired by a photo prompt. Check out all the other entries here.
fabricating fiction 
Cute little tale. My only crit is faces which ‘flame’ – see it a lot on FF. Just sounds a bit cheesy to me. That apart a well written story.
It’s probably me that uses it a lot :-0. Thanks for the comment.
Ah.. seems like a wise choice.. children have a way of finding — and telling — the harsh truth… like the emperors new clothes.
You can always count on a small person to tell it like it is!
That brought a tear to my eye.
Thanks Dawn.
Sweet and very touching – A pleasure to read.
Thanks very much. I appreciate your comment.
Lovely turn of events.
Thanks Alicia.
Gotta love the way a child just takes something and turns it all around inside you!
Yup! Been there.
Scott
They sure do but they can pull you back into the present pretty quickly when it counts.
Oh, yes they can!
Starts out so painfully — but ends so hopefully. Really enjoyed this piece —
Thanks so much. Life goes on 🙂
beautiful and simple!
Wise choice. I hope she can stick with the baking, for the sake of Ben if nothing else. It might not be so easy, though.
You can’t go wrong with cake 😉
Nicely done. I hope the baking works out to be a satisfactory substitute.
It’s a focus for the future. Thanks.
Dear Louise,
This story had me in tears by word one-hundred. If that isn’t the best comment you get, then I’ll eat my hat…or maybe some cake. Beautiful.
Aloha,
Doug
I’ll get baking 🙂 thanks very much.
Dear Louise,
It’s difficult to see my screen through tears to write my comment. Simple, understated and powerful.
shalom,
Rochelle
Much appreciated Rochelle. It was a great prompt. Was hard to pick just one idea.
Sometimes it takes a child’s brutal honesty for the truth to hit home.
I’m glad Grandad has found a good way to remember Grandma 🙂
Me too. I hope he doesn’t burn it!
That brought a lump to MY throat, Louise! (carrying over from your comment to my story). That was powerfully optimistic! Excellent story!
Greetings from Greece!
Maria (MM Jaye)
Loved it Loved it Loved it!
brought back wonderful memories of my grandparents. great piece!
Thanks. There’s nothing like the smell of baking to bring the memories flooding back.
“What does happiness smell like” I love that line. Such a beautiful story! ❤️
Thanks Helen.
A very touching story. Kids are brutally honest. I hope the baking can take the place of drinking, but I doubt it will be that easy.
Smell is very evocative, and I like how you’ve used it to show feelings. Great dialogue. I hope Grandad finds some comfort in the cake too.
Marg
Thanks Marg. I think we all find a bit of comfort in cake.
Lovely story, kids always can feel and say thinks that we grown ups can’t, I wish this grandpa stops drinking and pay more attention to this kid.
I think he will now 🙂
Great take. Nicely done. I’d like to join in on that baking. Maybe Grandpa will take up cake instead of drinking.
I think he just might do that.
Glad to see that the uncapping was to pour the alcohol out and move on. I hope it sticks. Ben needs an involved grandparent in his life. Nice story.
All my best,
Marie Gail
Thanks very much Marie. He’s come to his senses now.
That’s a huge first step grandpa took. I just happen to love the smell of vanilla!
Nice in its seeming simplicity.
Ellespeth
It’s my favourite smell too (along with bonfires)!
Hope grandpa isn’t too deprived. Poor fellow. The tyranny of grandchildren!
I can’t wait to have grandchildren 🙂
“Out of the mouths of babes fab little piece 🙂
Thanks Helen.
Children don’t often realize how reassuring they are in the lives of adults. Their innocence speaks volumes…
They do. My children kept me going during the toughest time.
That’s so sweet, Grandpa decided to bake instead of drinking. 🙂
A much wiser choice!
From the mouth of babes. Well written story
Thanks very much.
Lovely story, thank you.
Thsnks 🙂
Such a heartwarming story. I liked it.
Thanks so much for commenting.
Louise, Sweet and heartwarming story. Let’s hope the grandfather overcomes his drinking for the sake of his grandson. Well written. 🙂 — Susan
Thanks Susan. He absolutely does.
The words of innocence wrapped up in love. Beautiful story.
Thanks 🙂
I’m really impressed by how you succeeded in avoiding having this turn out cutesy, if you see what I mean (personally, I tend to take the first reference to grandchildren as a warning sign that I may not make it to the end of 100 words) – instead the story was naturalistic and tender.
Thanks Blake. I appreciate that.
Nicely done. A lot conveyed in so little. Impressive.
Thanks 🙂
Wanted more of it! Very good.