By L.L. Madrid
You dodge a head butt.
I’m getting better at this.
The thought is ripped from your skull along with a fistful of hair. The screams turn hoarse; it’ll end soon. You hold on and don’t let go, even as teeth sink into flesh.
Don’t let go.
People stare. Murmured judgments used to bother you. Now, you just want it to end.
Then, it does. Your tiny child goes limp with exhaustion, her hot tears cascading down your chest. Whispering a lullaby you head to the car.
You cry in the shower.
Do parents of normal children know how lucky they are?
Nicely presented. Parents everywhere can totally relate to this feeling.
Thanks Cat!
Brilliant. From a Child Psychotherapist. A story from the heart.
Lynn- Thanks for reading and a big thank you for working with kids. I know what a huge difference professionals can make in children’s (and their families) lives.
Really good story. Nice set-up. Nice reveal. Great choice for the title.
Thanks for reading Scott!
I like the alternate thought then description then thought again. I only have one issue with the word, normal. What is normal? Normal , to my ears, is such a loaded word. Apart from that I find the piece strong and effective.
Thanks for reading and commenting John!
I agree that “normal” is a loaded (and subjective) word. Though it makes me cringe, normal felt like the most honest word choice for the narrator’s inner thoughts during a frustrating time.
I like the way you begin this. It seems that the narrator is battling a grown up foe in a near life and death struggle, then we learn it’s his/her child with a serious disability. I suppose having to be the caretaker of a child with a serious condition can be–or seem to be–a near life and death struggle. This is a Winner!
Bobby- thank you so much for your kind words!
You need more comments for this neat story. Here’s one. 🙂