The prompt for this week’s 100-Word Challenge for Grown-Ups (week 39) is, per Julia:
….I’m exhausted. Shut the door behind you….
So, to remind you of the rules you have an additional 100 words to complete your piece making 107 in total. Please make sure it is suitable for a PG certificate and please visit the other entries as that is where we can get ideas as well as support and challenge each other.
Julia always knows just when to remind me that I need to keep these to a PG rating! 😀 That said, I didn’t really have much trouble coming up with a flash fiction to fulfill this week’s prompt. Without further ado, I’ll let my Songbirds speak for themselves:
“These Nights Won’t Last”
Girls Playing Dress Up, by Isabella Kung
http://www.behance.net/isabellakungIt’s the girls’ excited shrieking as they play that makes Sally snap. She loves them, but the noise-! What happened to those lovely nights when they’d cuddle peacefully, dozing off to faery tales?
Sensing her tension, Larry eases her to the bedroom. “You all right?”
Sally sighs. “I’m exhausted. Shut the door behind you, please?” And she settles back, to relax amid the quiet, alone.
But, after a while, she realises: solitude isn’t what she wants. Because these nights won’t last, either. So, rather than waste it, she rises, to find her family snacking on biscuits while puzzling over a jigsaw.
She smiles. “Room for one more?”
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve pushed one of my girls away, desirous of peace and quiet and just a little bit of alone time…only to then call her back and let her play or cuddle, because my own guilt has gotten the better of me. 🙂
This one feels a bit short, to me, but it does clock in at 107 words, per instructions. Perhaps because, like my Sally, I simply find myself longing for those bygone, tiny baby days…!
They settle down, eventually. 🙂
Lovely story. I’ve been feeling just that way today! Wednesday is my day off, and this is the first day I’ve had in literally four weeks to actually do some writing (it’s actually my first Wednesday off that I haven’t done any work as well!) and get something down that’s been in my head for a while, but my one-year old is being particularly needy and keeps on crying if I put her down – so I put her down and she cries and I immediately feel very selfish as, as much as this is the one day of the week I get to do a bit of writing, this is also the one day of the week I get to spend with her! So I’m very much your Sally at the moment!
Sally, your comment brings both a smile and a little bit of tears to my eyes. I totally remember those days, when I’d have work to do (work I’d WANT to do), and yet this little being would want to be cuddled (in the way, I might add!). You just can’t say no…!
What is wonderful is that they grow up, and become more independent. But that’s also the sad part of it, too.
You sound like a young mum who cares just enough but not too much. Good on you! 😀
I don’t have kids, but this one I could feel the warmth and the love flowing out of it. The closest I did have was an orange tabby and I would often push her away whenever I lay on my bed playing my DS, and she would just come right up and plop on my DS! I would push her away, but then afterward I would put down my game and fuss over her. I know it’s nowhere near a mother and child, but man, do I miss that little kitty.
It’s that eternal conflict isn’t it, you need to be there, but you need some time to yourself. Beautifully portrayed – really well done.
Thanks, spooney! That means a lot. 🙂
You know, I had a dog when I was a girl. And, while it’s not exactly the same as a child, there is a bond there. And it’s painful to push them away when all they want is to be close to you.
Thank you, Sandra! These characters have so much of me in them, I occasionally forget that it’s not really my life I’m supposed to be putting down on paper. But you’re right: the feelings run true for many, don’t they?
*Raises hand and says, Me too!* I love my babies and I know that in about 10 years, I’ll have all the time to myself I want.
YOu captured it so very well. Nicely done.
Thanks, Robanne! I have the exact same feelings. 🙂
Thank you, Lorraine. 🙂 I always appreciate when my work can resonate.
Oh this is such a super piece to read. It has so much in it – the grown up bit then the family bit. Great capture of both moments & no – I don’t think it is too short!
Very great moments captured in this story! Nice work
Thank you, Julia! Your series of prompts has really enlivened my writing spirit, these last several weeks. 🙂
Thank you, Annie! So glad you decided to drop by. 🙂
Very touching 🙂
Thank you, Gilly!