Dad makes a cup of coffee he doesn’t want, moves between the sink and stove, kettle in hand, as if she isn’t there. He sidesteps, he speaks, only when she stands in his path. “You left me," he says. "Remember?”
“I was wrong.” She tugs his sleeve. He’s too quick, his shirt slips from her fingers. She clutches air, drops to her knees. The vibration travels up my legs and spine, tingles reach the top of my head. She trails him. Knee-walking. Across the coarse carpet. Her skin will turn raw.
Dad pulls out a drawer, grabs a teaspoon, opens the jar of coffee. His eyes dart to mine. His smile is bare, a bed in need of linens. “Perhaps you should leave, kiddo.”
The kettle sings. I take his cup. Instant grinds stirred with granulated sugar, tip of my nose over the rim, the aroma strong and familiar. Like Dad.
Mother’s face is a mess. Sobs, snot, spit. She lunges, clutches his pant legs, a pair of flags caught in the wind. She should fall. He holds her up simply by being there. White fingers penetrate the cloth, slide, wrap around his wrists.
He shakes her loose, brushes her touch from his skin like dirt. “No.”
He walks away. I follow.
The kettle on the stove still sings. The woman on her knees still sobs.
Mother has no pride.
Sherry's Her first short story collection, Storyteller, will be released Monday, August 29 – and you're invited to the book launch at Prana Cafe, 2130 Queen St E, Toronto, 7 – 9 p.m. More here.
See Brian Henry's schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Kitchener, Guelph, Woodstock, London, Orangeville, Barrie, Gravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.
Thank you, Brian, for putting The Slide into 'print'.
ReplyDeleteHello, Brian! Sherry talks about you and your incredible gift to writers often. No. She did not pay me to say that.
ReplyDeleteSherry, I've been the happy reader of this emotive piece in various lengths. Your ability to cut it to postcard size yet keep tone, setting and character shows incredible talent. I close with my "I'm not WORTHY to be your CP and writing buddy" bow. And, of course: EEE!
Maggie/Molly finalist is more than worthy. It is I who's worth is questionable in this exchange, fair Gloria.
ReplyDeleteSherri, I read the excerpt and it sounds great! Glad you're addressing some serious issues in the male/female relationship dynamics!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck preparing for the book launch.
-Tallulah Doll
www.tallulahdoll.com
I'd like to say, nice flash, Sherry, but it's not. It's not nice to see a mother with no pride. It's unsettling for me, and that means you have succeeded in your goal. That is one piece of quality fiction.
ReplyDeleteBrian, I can't wait to see you in North Carolina!