PHOTO PROMPT © Gah Learner
“So, remember,” her hand on the door’s handle. “Bedtime at 9, only one treat, brush your teeth.”
“And no opening the door for anyone,” he intoned.
At least it got him a smile. There weren’t many of them of late.
She tucked an errant lock of hair behind an ear and suddenly he couldn’t stand it.
“When will you be back?” He knew. He had to ask.
She glanced at the window. The court-order weighed heavy on her mind.
“When Luna goes to bed behind the mountain, I’ll be home.”
For the last time.
For Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers
Na'ama Yehuda 
Na’ama Y’karah,
There’s a lot of story lurking behind those lines. If I’m reading this correctly this is between a mother and son. Court order speaks volumes as well.
Shalom,
Rochelle
My story can be found here: https://rochellewisoff.com/2018/09/05/7-september-2018/
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Yes, a lot of story we can only imagine, and it is — at least as I’d intended it — a mother and young son. As to what the court order is, who knows … This drinks from the well of all too many children I’d worked with who had to stay long hours alone as parents – often single mothers – had to leave for work and had no means to leave them with anyone. And, all too often the same children ended up at one point or another, taken away from their homes, either by court-order via children’s services or by the parent sending them to this or that relative for a time. Thank you for commenting! Na’ama
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Heartbreaking situation. Son is way too young to be home alone and I know he is not alone in this type of situation.
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Exactly why I wrote it, because, yes, it is heartbreaking and all too frequently a reality behind closed doors, and very often not out of negligence but a sense of no-other-option. Whatever the future holds for these two, I hope the little guy can take with him the assurance of his mother’s love of him. Thank you for the comment, Dale! The real life correlates of children I’ve known were why I’d written this.
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I hope it turns him into a loving, caring, capable man who will do great things with his life. Because his mother is teaching him how to survive…
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Amen to that!
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At least she still loves him and she will be back in the morning. Sometimes, things are beyond control.
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How true! Whatever the future brings for these two, at least he’d know she loves him. This is not a small thing. Thank you for your comment!
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This is a really interesting read. So much packed in here.
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Thank you…. and yes, a lot there … Someone asked me if this was a small taste of a bigger story I’m writing. And … well … perhaps it will be… 😉
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That would be great. Good luck with it if you do choose to extend it. 🙂
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I did already publish three full length novels (as well as a professional nonfiction book), so long stories are something I certainly have been known to do… who knows… 😉
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Must check one of them out sometime. 🙂
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Would be delighted to know your thoughts when you so! Links on my website under book tab. 🙂
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Excellent story. I clearly got that she is forced to leave him. I am sure she will count the hours until she can get back.
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Thank you, Jilly! Yes, I’m sure she will! (and so would he …)
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There is so much written in so few word, Na’ama. Your extremely prolific on your blog.
You’ve written a fabulous story in tis one.
Isadora 😎
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Thank you, Isadora! You are so very kind! 🙂
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You tell the story well. Too many parents find themselves in difficult situations and it ends up with their child paying a price, no matter how much the parent wishes to protect them. Nicely written.
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Thank you. Indeed hardship often becomes a crisis, and children often pay the price, even with well meaning parents.
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