By Joseph Sidari
“What kind of cheese do you want on your sandwich, Howie?” his mother asks. She slaps some ham on a slice of Wonder Bread.
“Not the monster kind, Mommy.”
“No, sweetie.” She laughs, turning to face her son. “It’s Muenster.”
“No, that’s bad cheese.” Howie’s lower lip quivers.
She sniffs. “It smells okay to me.”
Howie shakes his head. ”It makes you be a monster.” His voice trembles.
“That’s silly, honey.” She ruffles his hair. “Your stepdad eats it every day on his sandwich.”
“I know.” A tear runs down his cheek. “Don’t put any on his sandwich either, Mommy. Please?”
Very good. Chilling.
Thanks for your read and comments.
Wow! I have goosebumps.
Thanks so much!
So dark, and so much left unsaid.
Thanks for your comment. It’s why I love microfiction.
Excellent use of the form. A real punch in the last line.
Thanks so much.
Powerful!
Heart breaking! A lot said in such a few words.
Clever and gut-wrenching. Well written and well done.
Oh my. My heart literally dropped to my stomach. Sure hope the mom understood and accepted the message to stop it!!
Really good. Left me wishing Mom got the message and dumped the monster.
Excellent. Says a lot in 100 words.
What a clever idea to transpose Muenster into monster and use the cheese to reveal three characters: unperceptive mom, abused child, vicious stepdad.