By R. Burton
The curtain draws down. Intermission time and the theatre empties. Aging men seek the comfort of the bathroom. Other patrons go to the bar.
The bathroom line is long. Like a snake, the line slowly worms its way forward. A little boy stands by. His Mother continues to push him ahead.
The boy appears fearful of going into the bathroom alone. He tries to hold back as the line continues to move forward.
I begin to reach forward to take him inside but my voice is silent. So many accusations of older men taking advantage of the young. I move on.
A subtle and powerful image of alienation of our young from potential mentors.
This is a sad commentary on a number of levels packed into few words. It feels urgent for all three characters. Very nice.
Nice work here, and sad that society makes us question our own good intentions, though it felt creepy at the same time, for the same reasons. Great story.
Nice moment captured here, illustrates the way kindness is too often silenced
Yes, a good one.
Yes, this is a good one.
Nicely done, and unfortunately too accurate.