Welcome! This week our word prompt is "rancid", an ugly word for sure. We have another episode of "Midnight in Central Park", my urban fantasy. Scroll down to return to the fabulous Tuesday Tales stories. Thank you for stopping by.
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I
rushed home from school the day Ma said she’d be home early and make dinner. She
was a damn fine cook. When dad lived with us, she’d prepare unbelievable meals.
Like a gourmet chef.
When
I opened the door, I smelled something awful, like rancid cheese. It was her
dealer, Spider Malone. Abby said he was a pimp, too, but I didn’t believe it. No
matter what she did, she was my mother.
I
hated Spider. The guy stank. Either he never
took a bath or used the wrong after shave. I couldn’t stand his smell, so I
opened a window.
“Is
that the kid?”
He
always called me that. I hated it.
“Kid,
that you?”
I
didn’t say a word, just went to my room and locked the door. Yeah, I put a lock
on. I had to lift it from the hardware store because I didn’t have the cash. With
assholes like Spider around, you never knew what would go down.
I
could hear him hollering for me, but I ignored it. A little guy, wiry, maybe,
but not strong enough to knock down my door. The other guy with him? Maybe. I figured if
I stayed quiet in my room, they’d go away, like they always did.
They were arguing in the kitchen. I heard some loud noises, like furniture being banged around. Then the front door slammed.
They were arguing in the kitchen. I heard some loud noises, like furniture being banged around. Then the front door slammed.
I
flew to the kitchen. There was Ma, sitting in a chair, bent over, her forehead
touching the table.
“Ma!
Ma, sit up. Ma!”
She
didn’t reply, just sat there. I pulled her up by her shirt. Her nose was
dripping blood and her left eye was turning black and blue.
“Did
that dickwad do this to you?”
“Language,
Jamie.”
“The
hell with that, Ma. Who beat you up? I’m calling the police.”
She
raised her hand. “No! Don’t do that. It’ll only get worse.”
“Ma
we can’t let them do this to you.”
“I
made a mistake.”
“What
could you possible have done to justify a beating?”
“I
took money from Spider. More than I had coming. I found his wallet and emptied
it.”
“You
took all his money?”
“It
wasn’t much. Three hundred, maybe.”
“What
did you do with it?”
“Had
a good time. I deserve to have some fun.”
“Oh,
Ma. You stole from him and bought drugs? Not your wisest move.”
Thanks for coming. Hope you enjoyed the story. Comments are most welcome.
My heart aches for this young man. What a terrible life he has. Wonderfully powerful snippet! Well done.
ReplyDeleteThis poor kid has the worst life imaginable. While I feel for his mother, I don't have a lot of empathy for druggies. They not only destroy themselves but everyone around them, like this boy. I hope life is going to improve for him. Great scene.
ReplyDeleteMy heart breaks for him. What an awful thing to have to deal with every day- your mother's addiction. Bless him.
ReplyDeleteI am mesmerized by his story. So sad to have to deal with what should be adult problems, and he has class. I feel for his mother's pain, but she's a pathetic mother. She needs to be isolated/locked away from her drugs, dried out, and shaped up. We can hope!
ReplyDeleteMy heart is aching for the poor kid. Not only for him, but the many, many that live this life every day in real life - not in a fictional world. Well done!
ReplyDelete