‘It’s not fair.’ Millie stands, hands on hips, bottom lip out, the way she did when she was 6.
‘You’re not going.’
Footsteps thunder up the stairs and I count the seconds before music thuds through the house. I rotate my shoulders, trying to dislodge the knots.
‘She’s growing up,’ My ultra observant husband says. ‘You’ve got to give her some freedom.’
I hesitate outside Millie’s door, hand poised to knock, but instead continue to my room. Yellowing newspapers spill from the box as I open the lid. Tears torrent as I reread the reports about the sister Millie will never know.
It’s not fair.
Written for Friday Fictioneers. A 100 word story inspired by a photo prompt. Check out the other fabulous entries here.
fabricating fiction 
That ending! Such a punch in the gut.
Thanks Melanie.
So much emotion in this little story.
Thanks, Dan.
Why would he torture himself like that?
Good piece.
Nice comparison between teenage angst (which I’m sure Millie reckons is the worst thing ever) and the mother’s much bigger tragedy.
Thanks, Ali. I remember that teenage angst!
Very sad ending that ties the rest of the story together. Excellent.
Much appreciated. Thanks.
Powerful story. Just how does one cope with that?
There is a whiff of danger about funfairs and circuses – the here today and gone tomorrow-ness of them. And they are associated with children going missing, rightly or wrongly. It’s our prejudices about gypsies and fairies etc and the stories the old people would tell to frighten their children. Like you have just done.
Ah, I saw the photo and thought of the the phrase ‘it’s not fair,’ and the story tumbled out. I didn’t think of any connection between fairgrounds and missing children. Thanks for reading Patrick.
well-written piece. given the circumstances, i feel for the mother. at the same time, l just hope that she’d be able to move on.
Me too. Thanks for reading.
Oh, nicely done. When I first moved t Bellingham a young woman “disappeared” while jogging ~ only her coat was found. Nothing of her ever surfaced. Later I met the family through the office where I worked. They were forever altered by the event. You captured that feeling.
Thanks Alicia. I don’t know how people cope with the not knowing. It must be horrendous.
Powerful stuff. The punch line hit hard. Maybe it’s best to tell Millie about the sister.
I think honesty is best. Thanks for reading.
I could so feel the emotion of that encounter. Well done.
Thanks Sandra.
Nice take on the prompt. We had a similar spark with this one. Unfairness and sisters. Nice bit of writing.
Thanks Honie. You captured sibling jealousy perfectly with yours.
Very sad. And I agree, the story of the sister should be told, Millie may (or may not) understand her mum’s protectiveness a bit more.
Thanks very much.
So sad, Louise. It would be so hard for a mom to let go and not be protective of her daughter. I like how you layered the story with “It’s not fair.” This one packed an emotional punch. Well done.
Thanks very much Amy.
I echo everyone’s comment on the powerful punch of this one. I can so relate to the mother’s fear. I think she should be honest with her daughter, though…
Me too Dale. Thanks.
This is so sad and heartbreaking!
Thanks for reading.
That last line knocked out my breath. Beautiful and sad story!
Much appreciated – thanks.
That was unexpected!
Good! Thanks for reading Andrew.
Great twist at the end that explained a lot, Louise. Sad situation. Well done. —- Suzanne
Thanks very much Suzanne.
Dear Louise,
I didn’t see that one coming. Very sad and powerful.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks very much Rochelle.
Within such a short time you have created three such real characters. Will they continue further than the 100 word limit?? Keep writing
You never know! Thanks very much for the comment.