By Hugh Cartwright
She’s curled by the roadside.
Discarded.
I gather her up and wipe the dust from her face. So light, just five or six years old.
As I carry her to Reception, she fingers my Border Patrol badge. Though I whisper in English and Spanish, she doesn’t respond. Recovery will be a journey.
I visit whenever I can, watch her unwind, make friends.
Months later, a decision: she will be deported.
We return to the border. She clutches at me, but I kiss her, set her down, nudge her gently away.
I shall never see her again; and she may never recover.
Such a moving story. Thanks.
That’s very generous Bob; thank you.
Hugh
Being able to convey so much emotion in so few words is a gift. Thank you for sharing yours.
Thank you for your kind comment, Mary.
I guess it is easiest to write on a topic about which one has strong feelings.
Excellent story. And topical.
less is more. heartbreaking but the tension is held perfectly and not maudlin or sentimental. thanks for the lesson 🙂
What a great story! Relevant, touching and yes, I agree with Nancy. It steers clear of melodrama. Nice work.
So, so sad.
Beautiful.
simply beautiful
So sadly true. How many go through this and the feelings go unspoken?
Such powerful use of words I actually was able to be with you as an observer. Have you done much writing?
A lot of writing? Yes, quite a lot, but as a former scientist, my writing has mostly been technical. It’s a bit of a release to be allowed to make stuff up!
So subtle, so sensitive, so moving! To be able to do all this in so few words is quite an art.
Terrible situation. So sad. So awful. I wonder if this is imagined or whether you have experienced it for real. Powerful writing.
I don’t believe this would really happen. Could it? I hope not!
Great fiction writing for a scientist!!