Margaret was bursting to amaze her aunt and elder cousins with what she’d learned at school; she was practically exploding. Facts about the universe orbited and collided in the pit of her stomach.
“Guess what?!” She yelped up the path as she skipped, frantically. “You can see Venus from Earth tonight.” Margaret pointed. “Look! You can see…”
“Oh, we don’t care about all that stuff, honey.” She aimed her exaggerated laugh at Margaret’s parents who were lagging behind.
But her laughter ricocheted, the shrapnel impacting instantly as her cold embrace wrapped itself around Margret. The world seemed to stop, momentarily.
This piece was created using the prompt (photo contributed by Rochelle) hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields – Addicted to Purple. photo contributed by Ted Strutz.
You can read more stories here
An unthinking word can leave a deep wound when you’re that age
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think some of us forget (or are gradually worn down until we forget) as adults about what it is truly like to be children.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree with Neil. Well done on hitting the heart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much.
LikeLike
very nice social dimensions – and how some people can be joy robbers and well, I like the way you gave us her beautiful energy: “bursting to amaze”
LikeLike
Thanks so much
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Dear Mum,
What a cruel way to splash cold water on and extinguish a child’s enthusiasm. Anyone’s really. Words can do so much damage. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
I hope Margret survives and heals from the word bomb, and goes on to discover wonderful things 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful description of her hurt. Well done.
LikeLike