March 17th, 2011
It’s IndieInk Writing Challenge day once more. It dawned bright this morning, and I suddenly remembered the challenge Michael at Innocents and Accidents, Hints and Allegations issued to me this week. It was, simply, “Eight hundred.”
I pick up my glass. Again. For the eight hundredth time. I finish it quickly and re-fill. The day stretched long and I crave a hard stop. I carry it with me, the glass, because it’s too hard to put it down. I carry it with me, all of it.
Too hard.
“Just stop,” he tells me.
“It’s not that easy.” I say back.
Because somewhere, long ago, before I was born even, it stopped being a choice. There’s genetic wires connecting me to other glass filler-uppers, to those that carried their solace, to grandpas begging grandsons to stop at the corner bar for a shooter. The grandson was 10. He wasn’t saved from the corner bar; his future still sits in front of a smoky mirror, toasting to life.
My dad. Always toasting to life.
It’s irony. Cheering what robs you of clarity and connection and emotion. Life.
“Just stop,” he tells me.
I pick up my glass.
Eight hundred and one.
(12) Comments
...where you get to talk!
On March 17th, 2011, Karla said:
I loved how you were able to convey so much in such a short piece. 800 speaks for itself. This was very well done!
On March 17th, 2011, Mandy said:
This was great… I agree with Karla as it relates to how much impact for such a short piece. Really well done!
On March 17th, 2011, Alexandra said:
I so enjoyed all the different ways you used STOP here.
I truly did.
On March 18th, 2011, Slow Panic said:
“I carry it with me. All of it”
Love this post.. Thank you.
On March 18th, 2011, The Week In Review: March 14-18 Writing Challenges said:
[...] Michael challenged San Diego Momma: Eight Hundred [...]
On March 18th, 2011, Lazidaisical said:
Ok, it’s already been said, but your story conveyed so much with so little and perfectly evoked the somberness of this situation. Great job.
On March 18th, 2011, Michael said:
Well done. Excruciating, but brilliant. I bow humbly. *applauds*
On March 19th, 2011, Frelle said:
its all true, too.
On March 19th, 2011, dani said:
beautiful work! thoroughly toughing
On March 20th, 2011, lifeNbits said:
Writing is powerfull. So much said in a short composition. That is how you use 800.
On March 20th, 2011, Marian said:
oh, i get it. i raise my glass to you.
On March 20th, 2011, Ferd said:
I’ll throw in my kudos.
Open, honest, sometimes painfully raw,
always with your own funky style: oblique/unique.
Lovin’ it!
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