Who's Rotten?

"What’s the matter with you? Why don’t you just stop it? Fuck! It doesn’t matter what I do; you just keep on with this bullshit. I can see now how it’s going to be. You’re nothing but trouble, rotten just like your mother, stupid whore. You have no future."

He gripped the wailing bundle of arms, legs and lolling head in his hands shaking her as he screamed, "Stop it! Stop, crying! Shut the fuck up!" He tossed the 3 week old across the room where she landed on the dingy sofa, the light gone from her baby blue eyes.

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I penned this for the 100 word challenge in answer to the prompt for the week, rotten.  Check out Velvet Verbosity to read how rotten inspired other writers.     

This is a tough, hard to read or write topic, but every year 1,200 to 1,400 cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome are reported in the US.  Recently, a man was arrested in this very rural area I live in after his infant son died of massive head trauma.  It breaks my heart to hear of such unnecessary tragedy and I think...if only that angry care giver would just call someone or walk out the door for a few minutes and take a deep breath. 

100 Word Challenge: Magical Moment

They met on a little train. The warm morning had turned the boy’s cheeks pink, yet next to him sat an old man clad in a long, black wool coat. As the child intently studied the brown almond eyes and road-mapped face the ancient one smiled and with two fingers traced down the cheek of the two-year old. He spoke gentle words to my child, his language unknown to me.

I looked on in amazement. Two souls, one tired and worn and one fresh and new met and exchanged a magical moment that spanned cultures and generations. It was beautiful.

Want to read more?  Journey over to Velvet Verbosity's 100 Word Challenge and read what other wonderful writers have to say about the word prompt for the week, fingers.

This really happened to my child on the train at Disneyland when he was two.  It was one of the perfect moments that life presents to us every once in awhile.  My son doesn't remember it, but I do and I will always remember this magical moment.

100 Word Challenge: Teacher's Pet

"Teachers pet," she heard someone hiss just before closing the door quietly behind her. Buoyed up with a deep breath, she began the trek down the long corridor. On either side, children sat behind opaque walls unaware of each reluctant step carrying her closer to sticky paste, amber-colored liquid soap, and paint jumbled into one oppressive odor.

Approaching steps, jingling change and a soft tuneless whistle echoed down the passage urging her to stand on tippy-toes, desperately reaching for blood-stained paper.

"Please..."

"Here let me help you," he said pressing her budding body against the shelving; spiriting away her innocence.

This bit is in response to Velvet Verbosity's 100 Word Challenge.  Go head... check out the fabulous writings of other 100 word scribes. 

The photo above is a painting by my daughter that I photographed and added a crumpled brown bag texture to.

100 Word Challenge: From Failed to Different

He travels light zipping from city to city across the sky, while the weight of baggage grounds her in the undulating fields of her childhood. Like a sprite, her world revolves around circular patterns of a soft landscape dancing to the gentle rhythms of changing seasons. He navigates the hard edges and tall giants of cityscapes making the deal with the confidence of a warrior. Her view leans toward a film noir of black and white where he sees possibility saturated in bright hues.

Born from failed marriages, together they reach across miles of differences, failure no longer an option.

The 100 Word Challenge is brought to you by Velvet Verbosity, who is back after a hiatus.  The prompt this week is failed.  You can read more brilliantly penned 100 words by clicking HERE!

100 Word Challenge: Junky Treasure

"Where’d you get this?" he asked turning the filthy cross over in his hands. "Jist worthless junk."

The girl reached out for the tarnished relic. "It's mine."

"You messin' in the alley, girlie?"

"I found it in the trash."

"Well it ain’t yers and we don’t need no more garbage in here," he said dropping her treasure to the floor.

Twenty years later she perched on the edge of the chair as the man peered over his glasses at her while cradling the piece as if it were the Mona Lisa. "Where did you get this? It could be priceless."

Written in response to Velvet Verbosity's 100 Word Challenge.  The prompt and inspiration was the word worthless.  Please, mosey on over to Lou's, the host for the challenge, and read how other writers spin the prompt for the week, worthless.

100 Word Challenge: The Courage to Fly

Companions

(look closely at the photo, you can see one leg on the shell as a touching farewell)

You sheltered me while I grew. I had no choice but to slough you off like a skin too small. Crawling out wasn’t all that easy. I struggled, you know, I worked hard like the cicadas we watched from the porch swing on sultry August Sundays. Remember? We looked on as the hard shell of security that surrounded wet, transparent wings split down the middle. Singers of summer songs perched vulnerable on the sprawling oak tree until the moment came and with dry wings launched into life. I discovered my courage to fly, too, and we were companions no more.

Written for Velvet Verbosity's 100 Word Challenge using the word companions for inspiration and graciously hosted by Lou. 

100 Word Challenge: Abundant Price

She sat next to him; her beautiful face vacant, unaware of the wake following the ferry toward Nantucket, the waves winking beneath the sun, or seagulls hovering like mobiles overhead. He turned away from her holding the Blackberry up to his ear. With a snap he closed it, tucked his connection into his pocket offering her an apologetic smile.

A few moments later a ring sounded from his pocket. With a shrug of shoulders he began talking.

"Can’t you just turn it off?"

It was the price she paid for the abundant life he provided that included vacations on Nantucket.

This week's 100 Word Challenge is all about the word abundant.  Catch more quick reads with Lou hosting the challenge at Velvet Verbosity's 100 Word Challenge. 

Between Brothers

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"Let’s roll puke," George said slapping his younger brother’s head.

Charlie responded, "Hey! Whadja do that for?"

Shifting the Barracuda into second gear George goaded, "You are not normal, ya little prick."

"Am too!"

"Do you even know what normal means?"

"Yeah, I do. It's being like everybody else."

Well, that leaves you out. You forget every thing; otherwise I wouldn’t have to drive you to school. Hell you probably forget to wipe your ass after taking a dump."

"Do not!"

George pulled up to the sidewalk and socked his brother in the shoulder. "Hey, good luck with try-outs tonight."

I have three brothers and based this 100 Word Challenge on thousands of conversations between the two or three of them that I've overheard.  Hike on over to LceeL's blog, Velvet Verbosity's 100 Word Challenge to give writing it in 100 words a try or read other writers' take on this weeks prompt, normal.

Facing the Elements

He left the library at closing, passing ivy-climbing brick buildings. Snow, like a torque, rotated about him in a furious frenzy. With head held high, facing directly into winter’s temper tantrum, he tore open his shirt exposing his chest to the elements and screaming into the winds, "Bring it on, bitch!"


He never felt more alive than he did at this moment with freezing snow pelting his bared torso and howling winds biting his goose-bumped, prickling flesh in angry response. He countered with a hard kick to the blanket of snow covering his path and arrogantly continued on his way.

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Written for Velvet Verbosity's 100 Word Challenge.  Take a minute and check out the other entries using the word prompt, blanket.

100 Word Challenge: Bustier

I'm joining the fun at Velvet Verbosity's 100 Word Challenge.  The word for this week is bustier.  Whoo-hooo!  This is too much fun!  Please check out what other's have to say about bustiers.
 
You'll find my 100 word story on my Written with Soul page with an Adult Content Warning.