Photo prompt © Ronda Del Boccio
My heart sinks.
He’s been drinking again.
This I know from the flash of anger in his eyes, the purposeful way he strides towards me. My knees tremble as I stand my ground. Last time he threw my favourite ornament at me and it shattered as it hit my head. It left a scar.
I still love him.
He never drinks at home.
He’s been with her.
She enables him.
She loves him too.
But I wish my mother would stop giving my two-year-old orange squash.
He can’t cope with the additives.
I can’t cope with his personality change.
It’s been months since I last took part in Friday Fictioneers. I’ve been so busy launching my 5th psychological thriller ‘The Family‘ but thought I’d join in the fun again today before I get stuck into the structural edit for next year’s release ‘The Stolen Sisters.’
Friday Fictioneers is a weekly 100-word flash fiction challenge inspired by a photo prompt and hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Read the other entries and/or submit your own story here.
Clever twist, Louise. And welcome back
Thanks Neil!
HaHa I thought this was going to have a husband perp.
I do love a twist!
enjoyed that one Louise, I’ve written a lot of drabbles and it’s not easy coming up with the tight story in so few words, conveying the emotion and managing a twist- so this one took me by surprise. thanks
ps meant to say 🙂 you did all that in the 100 words! oops
Thanks Aylson. It’s taken lots of practice. I was SO terrible to start with but the constructive feedback from the Friday Fictioneers community really taught me how to write. I’m not sure if I’d be published today without this challenge! I’m very grateful to it.
Dear Louise,
I’m so happy to see you here this week. Love this story. Great little misdirect I, as the mother of three sons, can relate well to. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle. I’ve three boys too.
Such a good twist! Love it.
Thanks Roxie!
Well I know this particular story. Nobody can help the drinker until they decide to stop lying to themselves, in my experience. Good story.
Thanks very much!
Drinking is a bad habit that’s tough to quit.
Best wishes for your thriller!
I Rest My Case – Anita
Thank you Anita.
Unexpected twist, nicely done. Welcome back.
Thanks Sandra – good to be back!
You took me completely in the wrong direction, well done you!
Hurrah – that was the plan! Thanks for reading Keith.
Nice to have you back, Louise!
And nice misdirect you have here! Love it.
Thanks Dale. Feels good to write for fun again. I’ve missed it.
That is so good, Louise .- a lesson for newish grandparents perhaps?
Yes. I’ll never forget the horror when a well-meaning relative gave my baby brandy to help him sleep!
This was fun to read and well done! Congrats on your 5th installment!!! Woohoo!
Thanks for reading!
Good to see you back Louise, and an excellent misdirect and reveal.
Thank you Iain.
Okay, you fooled me, Louise. Good one.
That’s what I like to hear! Thanks for reading Ted.
You had me pulled all of the way in. Time to find a babysitter, as grandma is not doing her grandchild any favors. Great obfuscation!
Thanks so much!
You’re very welcome.
I had to reread. “What just happened?” Excellent twist. You completely twisted my head around. Grandparents are the worst and the best.
They are! Thanks for reading.
This made me laugh out loud 🙂 Perfectly constructed, unveiling “him” just a little bit at a time.
Thank you!
Great post. I enjoyed that
Thanks for reading
Fun twist! Those additives can be terribly addictive 🙂
Just like Friday Fictioneers!
Nice twist at the end… I was picturing an abusive spouse.
So pleased I fooled you!
Yep, I liked this one, great twist, thought the husband was going to stick the knife in, The kid is more important. Good stuff
Thanks very much.
I love a good twist, and that certainly was one. Very clever!
Thanks Brenda!
I was led into believing this was a case of domestic abuse, nice gently twist. If only we could hold two year olds responsible – the little horrors, you can only love them. Mind you, perhaps mother is jealous!
Perhaps! Thanks James.
Oh that ending.. Thoroughly enjoyed your writing
Thank you Ruby!
G! Great twist at the end. One of my sons was allergic to those additives. We only got on top of it when he learned to manage it himself.
That’s a shame but glad you know what it is now.
Oh I love the mood change here… and so nice to see you back in writing.
Thanks on both counts!
Excellent! Thought it was going to be one of those stories–and you turned it on its ear.
Pleased you enjoyed it!
I love this! Such a great twist in the tale.
Thank you Evan.
OMG…lol
Thanks Dawn
Nicely done!!
Thank you!
Fun twist!
Thanks for reading!
Awesome, did not go where I thought it was going. Love it! 🙂
Thank you!
You’re welcome! 💚
Very effective. Like it
Thanks very much.