Here’s another short piece submitted for Flash Fiction For Aspiring Writers. As always, so thankful to PJ for taking her time – each week – on behalf of both writer and reader. Please follow the lil foggy icon to read other submissions.
Some Trains Leave Forever
I used to watch the trains go by wondering where they were going and what adventures awaited the passengers.
And then, sometime later. remember? You and I would kiss and dance on the station platform and kick our heels up at the passing passengers.
Then, one day, through the steam we lost her. The last touch I saw her receive was the social worker’s hand wiping the tears from my always baby’s face.
And then we walked home. We drank coffee spiked with brandy and cried. We had already cried, but we cried again to lose her.
Ellespeth
photo prompt from The Storyteller’s Abode
Parting with your child must be the most heartbreaking thing imaginable, even though it may be done with the best interests of the child in mind. I know this all happened, and happens still. People living in desperate poverty will want their child to have a better life. But the actual handing the child over to social workers or whoever, must feel like having your heart pulled out. Such an important message in your story, Ellespeth.
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Very good ,emotional story…so sad. Such a heartbreak for the parents and child! I can’t even imagine being the social worker having to be a part of that, let alone the parents! It’s better for the child in the long run, but when it happens, it is so devastating.
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Why did the social worker take her and where? Was she a minor? Many questions remain unanswered.
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Back then – late 1800’s thru 1920’s – parents let their children go to better homes than they could provide. The story has been told over and over until it’s ingrained in my conscience…it continues to happen , but not in the train loads full.
My remaining question would be: how does letting a child go to a better home take it’s course on their marriage. Was there even a marriage?
I’m particularly proud of this piece simply because it has a beginning and a middle and an end. That’s not bad for a poet 🙂
Thanks for reading this piece and for your comment.
Ellespeth
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Leaves me wondering who is “always baby” and why did she have to go with the Social Worker? Such a sad and emotion filled story. Very powerful. Excellent Ellespeth! Thank you for participating in the FFfAW challenge.
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Sometimes we put lives into better hands than ours – I think that is a strength.
Thanks for reading this piece, PJ, and for offering writer’s the chance to work with your weekly challenges.
Ellespeth
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That’s certainly understandable. You’re welcome Ellespeth! And Thank you!
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Very sad. Probably should have waited a bit before reading this one. Emotion-drawing as always.
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Those orphan trains must have been horrible – the lead up to letting your child go to a better life. It’s been this way since Moses, right? Letting the hero go.
Thanks for reading this piece, Charles. I hope you know I’m thinking about you and your little family.
Ellespeth
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Thanks. The littlest of the family says hi. I couldn’t even imagine the letting go of a child. It seems to painful, but I guess desperation and wanting them to survive can change things.
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Ellespeth giggles and waves hello to ‘the littlest’. I actually like that name 🙂 I was always the oldest and our littlest (my brother) is so close to my heart – he’d hate to read that. He’s over 50 now 😛
Ellespeth
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