• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • San Diego Momma
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
San Diego Momma

San Diego Momma

Sharing some humor, a bit of writing and way too much information

Home / Etcetera / Null and Void

Null and Void

Etcetera, Indie Ink

It’s IndieInk Writing Challenge time again. This one comes from Zoey Jane, who issued a doozy of a prompt, which was:

You know that an asteroid – The asteroid – is coming for Earth. It’s been verified by all of the scientists and reported, first on Twitter, and then on reputable news networks (none of them Fox or CNN News, don’t worry). Unfortunately, Bruce Willis is absorbed in jazz and Ben Affleck is (not surprisingly) crying like a little girl while Jennifer Garner pointlessly packs the family up for a trip to the park. She’s a hands-on mom, you see. So Earth is screwed.

“You’ve got more than 12, but less than 24 hours until it wipes out everything. What happens in them?

 

*********

 

I don’t remember the day everyone left. Someone tapped my knee, took my hand and patted it over a bag of bread, some apples, and a few bars I assume were granola. After that, vacuum emptiness, different and the same as what filled me every moment of every day. And although I was decidedly, nakedly alone — and preferred it that way, I noted the absence of touch, of taste, of reverberation thrumming in my chest, giving me indication that someone somewhere was walking by or talking or living. So I continued to sit, thinking dully that soon I’d have the freezing tray put in my lap, or the tiny pills tucked into my mouth, or the careless hands rubbing sponges over my numb face, my arms, whatever was left of my body.

 

I still sit here.

 

************

 

I’m thinking this, only thinking it. I no longer hear or see or care. “Can I see some ID please?” I clearly remember saying it. Last words I ever spoke. Then: nothing. And here I was. Still nothing.

 

************

 

I had two little girls once. After I lost the ability to be a person, they left me, along with their father. Behind my eyes, I still see the downy fluff of their hair, the tootsie roll toes, the needing look that said I mattered.

I had two little girls once.

And a husband.

And a life.

 

************

 

“Can I see some ID please?”

I was a doctor. It was my job to heal and soothe and resuscitate. A kitten. Just a kitten limping in from the road. A broken leg, maybe? A burred paw? I don’t know. I’ll never know. The owner followed behind. “Can I see some ID please?” There was a blast, wasn’t there? Some kind of explosion.

I wonder about the kitten.

 

************

 

I beckon to silly, easier memories. The way cream softened my coffee, the first summer jump in a blue pool, pounding rain on asphalt. Chasing after ice cream trucks, double piercing my ears with a needle sanitized by fire, a once-attended frat party. I turn away more consequential images. My children, my children…

Remember, remember.

It’s no use, it’s no use.

 

************

 

We lay in a covers-tossed bed, the four of us. Entangled in each other. I burrow my nose in my girls’ hair, lock feet with my husband. There is nothing better than this. Nothing better. There is nothing.

 

************

 

I hadn’t eaten for awhile. Days? Maybe hours. I imagine the wrapper from the granola bar crinkling, making that plastic cellophane sound. I open it best I can. I throw it down.
There is no water.

 

************

 

I don’t think I sleep. Every second feels like sleep, but not in the best sense of the word. I sit here. Just sit here.

I don’t suppose I miss anyone.

I see the kitten. The children. The feet. The red space behind my eyes. The explosion.

And that’s how it makes its presence known. A memory of fire. Of knowing it was coming before it did. The sense that I’m not alone. The reverberation remember? But it’s not a person walking down the hall, or music, or words spoken. It’s deep, thick, bass, pounding. Like a train rolling down railroad ties, a concert gathering steam as notes swell from speakers deliciously assaulting your heart, a plane far off in the distance but flying fast. Something’s coming, something’s coming.

 

************

 

There is nothing.

 

************

 

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

February 28, 2011 · 24 Comments

Sure I’d love to see you again

Previous Post: « PROMPTuesday #142: To Forgive is Divine
Next Post: PROMPTuesday #143: Which is Really #17 »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Jurgen Nation says

    February 28, 2011 at 4:13 pm

    I fear you. I am in awe of your talent to do beautiful stuff with words. I could prompt you with, “Describe your last bowel movement” and you’d move me to tears and joy and…damn, woman. *golf claps*

    Reply
  2. Zoeyjane says

    February 28, 2011 at 4:37 pm

    That was amazing. And I pretty much need you to finish it. Beware, should your name end up beside mine again. I need to know if the thrumming is rebirth, or purgatory, or the sound of being trapped.

    Reply
  3. Jason Hughes says

    February 28, 2011 at 5:32 pm

    Fantastic. You are truly gifted with words. Bravo!

    Reply
  4. Fragrant Liar says

    February 28, 2011 at 7:34 pm

    Yikes. The Apocalypse is nigh.

    Reply
  5. MomZombie says

    February 28, 2011 at 9:28 pm

    I read “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy at Christmastime. I could not put it down. This is very much like that. Are you writing a book? I hope you do.

    Reply
  6. tinsenpup says

    February 28, 2011 at 11:24 pm

    Wow… As soon as I stop sobbing and rocking back and forth, I’ll tell you how very good that was…

    Reply
  7. Trish says

    March 1, 2011 at 7:51 am

    Wow.

    Reply
  8. Supermaren says

    March 1, 2011 at 8:52 am

    The phrase that stuck with me most is “A memory of fire.” This whole piece is so poetic. Great job.

    Reply
  9. flutter says

    March 1, 2011 at 9:39 am

    this gave me CHILLS! I am so glad you are doing these challenges!

    Reply
  10. evenstarwen says

    March 1, 2011 at 1:46 pm

    You are…incredible. I will be coming back to this piece again and again, luxuriating in the flow and the lyricism and the fullness of your words, and I will love it more every time.

    Incredible. Just…breathtaking.

    Reply
  11. TJ says

    March 1, 2011 at 1:53 pm

    Wow. Just wow. I need more!

    Reply
  12. anastasia mcdonnellism says

    March 2, 2011 at 10:45 am

    That was so gorgeous and vivid and real…you did beautifully!

    Reply
  13. Cactus Petunia says

    March 2, 2011 at 8:09 pm

    Whoa. You just put words to my childhood apocalyptic nightmares. Amazing writing. Truly. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  14. You can call me, 'Sir' says

    March 3, 2011 at 3:29 pm

    You have a gift for creating imagery that makes me a little scared right now. It’s fine, though. I’ll get over it. Nicely imagined and even nicelier (?) written.

    Reply
  15. Fina says

    March 3, 2011 at 6:26 pm

    Is there anything you can’t do? Although I seriously doubt it, I really wouldn’t want to know anyway. You are a ridiculous (in a good way) talent.

    Profanity, exclamation, exclamation, profanity. You nailed this.

    Reply
  16. Karla says

    March 4, 2011 at 7:50 am

    I am sooo with Zoeyjane – you’ve left us handing, let’s see this end!!!!

    Reply
    • San Diego Momma says

      March 4, 2011 at 2:05 pm

      End? There is nothing.
      The End.
      :)

      Reply
  17. San Diego Momma says

    March 4, 2011 at 2:04 pm

    Thanks for these comments all!
    The writing I’ve read in return has been epic.

    Reply
  18. Mandy says

    March 5, 2011 at 7:06 pm

    I would have had a hard time with this prompt, but you rocked it!

    Reply
  19. Ferd says

    March 5, 2011 at 7:24 pm

    Ditto to all the oohs and aahs above.
    Consistent awesomeness!
    A sheer pleasure to read!

    Reply
  20. Frelle says

    March 5, 2011 at 9:25 pm

    holy wow.

    Reply
  21. RachelintheOC says

    March 5, 2011 at 9:38 pm

    Inventive, beautiful, deep. I just love where you took this. It’s wonderful.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Link Love » The Adventures of Supermaren says:
    March 4, 2011 at 5:04 am

    […] challenges OC Rachel: Lost Evenstarwen challenges Fina: Free Zoeyjane challenges San Diego Momma: Null and Void Jen O. challenges Evenstarwen: Every ounce of confidence I have Jules challenges Christine: Not […]

    Reply
  2. February 28 – March 4: The Week in the IndieInk Writing Challenge in Review says:
    March 5, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    […] Nathan Pralle challenges Anastacia Campbell: Salad Days Jason Hughes challenges Miss Ash: Yoo Hoo Sir challenges Dara: Stereotypes and Self-Righteousness A Lil Irish Lass challenges OC Rachel: Lost Evenstarwen challenges Fina: Free Zoeyjane challenges San Diego Momma: Null and Void […]

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

I love words. Every one, every time. (Except “moist.” That word can go.) …read more

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Sure. I’d love to see you again.

Categories

Archives

Blogroll

  • Blog This Mom
  • Da Goddess
  • Dirt and Noise
  • Discover San Diego
  • Foolery
  • Juggling Life
  • Mama Mary Show
  • Mel, A Dramatic Mommy
  • Mom Zombie
  • Mommy’s Martini
  • Motherhood is Not for Wimps
San Diego Momma

Footer

Archives

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Categories

sandiegomomma

sandiegomomma
Back in Lake Geneva after 36 years… Circumstance Back in Lake Geneva after 36 years…
Circumstances have changed since post-Prom-picnic-circa-1986-vibes…
#WhereIsBryanAdamsNow
Dorm drop! 🏫👩‍🏫🥲💕 Dorm drop!
🏫👩‍🏫🥲💕
💫Travel poster for Saturday wine tasting.💫 💫Travel poster for Saturday wine tasting.💫
Celebrating the new 16-year-old with a quick Santa Celebrating the new 16-year-old with a quick Santa Monica trip.
And now she knows she doesn’t want to live in LA….
#LifeLessons
It’s happening….. It’s happening…..
Barely tolerating me….. Barely tolerating me…..
Beach day with my “little” one while big sis e Beach day with my “little” one while big sis explores Cal Poly…
Life transitions. Beautiful but I haz the olds.
#NotAboutMe #Whhhhyyyyy
A rare Bubbie sighting. Spotted in the wild. #HeDo A rare Bubbie sighting. Spotted in the wild. #HeDoesntLikePictures
Sunset squad. Brought a picnic and drinks to Del M Sunset squad.
Brought a picnic and drinks to Del Mar and watched the waves and horizon. Not too crowded or cold - another good hang with the neighborhood gang! ❤️❤️
Imprinting 2021 holidays on my brain (and in my In Imprinting 2021 holidays on my brain (and in my Instagram) (and in my antibodies). It’s a COVID New Year’s Eve…
Husband and I down for the count(down).
BUT. We’re doing decent and it’s cozy up in here…
Winery times! Winery times!
Guys on couch watching football; girls in kitchen Guys on couch watching football; girls in kitchen talking about everything.
Smells like a Sunday neighbor night. ;)
Line dancing lessons… My two left feet did nothi Line dancing lessons…
My two left feet did nothing right - but they did it with gusto.
Looking for a new book to read! #BookClub Despite Looking for a new book to read! #BookClub Despite the seeming divine intervention from above, we weren’t struck with the “perfect” next book to put on our list…..
Post-white-water-rafting super exhaustion. (Oh my Post-white-water-rafting super exhaustion.
(Oh my gosh you guys…! No! I’m not a sports model! But I totally understand how you might think so.) 😜😜😜
I wanted my hair to do that. #NordicSisters I wanted my hair to do that.
#NordicSisters
Dad’s hats on the people who loved/knew/laughed/ Dad’s hats on the people who loved/knew/laughed/sang with him.
Miss you Dad. Hope we do your hats justice. Lord knows we’ll have fun in them, just like you did. 😇
Paso Robles! Wine tasting beauty. It’s stunning Paso Robles! Wine tasting beauty. It’s stunning here. And the landscape is nice too ;).
Found my brother’s old ad copy. Good fun-writing Found my brother’s old ad copy. Good fun-writing inspiration...
Just in case I wasn’t feeling ancient enough, th Just in case I wasn’t feeling ancient enough, the rainbow jumper and white bobby socks oughta do it. No but wait! There’s a bowl cut. Annnnnnnddd giant gold-rimmed specs.
#CentennialFashion
Load More... Follow on Instagram
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Hello Chicky

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT