By Jay Chesters
Breathless, I scan the letter for the words. There: ‘Delighted to offer you—‘
I’m in. Full scholarship. I’m getting off this godforsaken farm.
We argued and I broke Dad’s heart, swore that I’d never be like him. Sure, I’ll always be a farmer’s daughter, but Cherie the Cello and me? We’re going places.
Outside, Dad is arguing with a coyote-faced man. Must be from the bank. I open the kitchen window to shout my news and hear “…foreclosure.” Dad sees me and I panic.
Touching the letter to the gas stove, it blooms: yellow, orange, black.
We’re in this together now.
This story gives me chills! I love it.
It broke my heart to see someone throw away their dreams and future, even if it was to help family.
But great story! Got me thinking and riled me up 🙂
This was such a great story! The author expressed so much with very few words, I can’t even write a shopping list in such a short space. I especially enjoyed that the man from the bank was coyote-faced, I could picture him exactly.
Vivid imagery, well done! Sad story as it’s probably too late to save the farm, and her future literally goes up in smoke.
Super story – covered a lot in just 101 words.
Heartbreaking & beautiful!