“You think he’ll win?”
Shlomi shrugged. Elections or not, he was distracted by the scents wafting from the cart across the stone-paved alley. His wife would kill him if he drank any of the juices. Diabetes would kill him, too. So it was just a matter of whether it’ll happen on his terms.
Or not.
He sighed.
“Get that pomegranate juice,” Abdul urged. “You know no one makes it like my father does.”
Better die happy than sad.
“Abu Abdul,” Shlomi called across the narrow alley. “One pomegranate?”
“For sure, Habibi,” the old man grinned. “Want that fake-sugar in there?”
For Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers
Na'ama Yehuda 
If yoiu drink you die. If you don’t drink you die anyway
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Yeah, there’s that.
Then again, there’s ‘fake sugar’ … 😉
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Better on your own terms but really… Why would you want to play such games with your body?
Love it.
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I know … 😉 But, with fake sugar he might feel like he’s getting the juice but not an ER ticket … Seems like Abu Abdul is on to him, anyway … 😉
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Fake sugar is poison, as we know so… Methinks Abu Abdul is…
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Hmm … there’s that, yeah…
Though in this particular case I don’t think Abu Abdul has ill intents … Then again, who knows … This IS a very short story that can have a much LONGER story in it … 😉
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I’m just being picky… I try to avoid aspertame and that ilk. I’ll go for he real bad stuff 😉
And I’m positive he meant no ill will at all
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I hear ya. I prefer natural sweetness to the artificial one, too. Love molasses, agave, honey, fruit, dried fruit, maple, sugar-cane, sweet potatoes, winter squashes, and … yes, sugar. Less processed is better, but generally speaking, I ain’t got nothing against some real sweetness. And fortunately, my body can process it and my pancreas kicks behinds. 🙂
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Much better alternatives, I say. Always less processed, the better. Yes, you are a lucky one!
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Yeah. I know people who have diabetes, including children who have Type1 and it is so so difficult!
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I know. Such a bummer. My sister’s little neighbour has Type 1 since the age of 10 or so… Not easy
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Yes, so does my cousin’s daughter. It is so difficult! I’ve also worked with kids who have it, and it literally controls many aspects of life, even when they manage it well. Much to be grateful for in having a functional pancreas!
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Not fun, that’s for sure.
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Na’ama Y’karah,
This Shlomi sounds a lot like the one I met last year. Fake sugar? Might as well use rat poison. Love the dialogue.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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LOL, yeah, I think a small glass of pomegranate after a meal and a good check of that sugar level and insulin may be better than fake-sugar … but, Abu Abdul is either trying or teasing. 😉
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Yeah, that fake-sugar is key to the sale. Abu Abdul is a smart one! 🙂
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He is a smart one … 😉
And, he probably doesn’t want a customer to go into diabetic crisis on his watch … 😉
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I like the “hominess” of your story. There is an easy comforting connection between your characters. I get tired of being warned and shamed into nothingness. Machines need oil. People need lubricating comfort. Great story, Na’ama.
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Thanks! Yeah, I think that sometimes there’s room to consider easing of restrictions, within reason … (Not so sure about too much juice for diabetic, but perhaps a tiny cup with a few sips and some food and checking glucose for the need to add some insulin could work …).
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Fake sugar and sugar free foods are a a blessing for my diabetic son! He would appreciate this story 🙂
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Yes! They can be for those who have no other choice! 🙂
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Heads & tails situation here, methinks. Cannot win; one way of the other, death’s gonna claim us. Such is the only certainty of life
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Truth. Yeah. Oh well … One the plus side, it sounds like he has people in his life who know his struggles and are trying to watch out for him. In their own way. … 🙂
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Yea
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🙂
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There’s the saying ‘a little of what you fancy does you good!’ Amen to that!
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Amen to that. And then there’s the “what’s gonna kill ya is gonna kill ya….” 😉
Seriously though, I agree. It is a balancing act, though, and I don’t envy those who have to constantly walk it.
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This made me smile. As a diabetic, I’ve given up most fruit juices except in very small servings. I love them, but water is healthier. Sad, sad.
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Yeah. Water is good. Juice is fun. Diabetes is not fun. The end. 😉
On a serious note … I hear ya. I think it is a very difficult condition to manage. I know a few people who are.
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Thanks, Na’ama. Once you understand the gravity, the possibilities, when you DON’T take care of yourself, it becomes habit and not a burden. Just an adjustment in values 🙂
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Indeed! I can understand that, too, having to manage some health realities that required adjustments but I don’t see as handicaps. 🙂
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Interesting write. Reminds me of Mom’s last day… she asked for a chocolate shake. The Hospice nurse threw a fit when I went to get it for her. I looked the nurse straight in the eye. “Mom knows what it means. Mom gets what Mom wants… always has.” And I handed Mom the shake… a few hours later she slipped into diabetic coma… by morning she was gone. Mom always did get what she wanted.
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Wow. And … I think that there is a lot to be said for respecting people’s right for autonomy over their own bodies, ESPECIALLY when it comes to terminal situations where it truly is imminent, and the difference can be between a helpless passing and an empowered transition.
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I’ve always supported a person’s right to choose….as hard as it was it was what she wanted. By then, even the morphine was as candy to her pain.
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I hear you, and I am sorry … I know how difficult it can be, and how few the options for relief become. Choice matters. I’m so glad you support it. Your mom was fortunate to have you there to advocate for and hear her. Small comforts matter when there’s little comfort left.
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Your’e damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Let him enjoy his drink.
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I can see both side of it, yes … 🙂
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I’m not convinced fake sugar is very good for you, though if you already suffer from diabetes, probably a good idea 🙂 Though according to The Google, pomegranates already contain 14g or sugar per 100g…
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I think fake sugar is absolutely NOT good for you, though for people with diabetes it might be the lesser of two evils. Otherwise, stay away … As for the pomegranate juice – it of course IS super sweet as it is (we had a couple trees in the garden growing up), though no one said you cannot water it down … 😉
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It’s his body, his illness, his choice. I avoid Aspartame like the plague, (terrible migraines if I inadvertently take it) and always read the small print to see if it’s there. I’m amazed that it’s even in simple medicines like heart-burn relief remedies over here, although I believe there is more caution in the States.
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Yeah, fake sugar ain’t too good for ya. For some with diabetes is it an only alternative for some things, though perhaps better without if they can manage. Yeah, medications have fake sugars in them, too many of them. And artificial food colors besides. Here’s to trying to keep healthy!
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Hope he doesn’t suffer too much from the consequences. Great story, Na’ama!
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Me, too! Thanks! I hope he gets a small cup, watered down … 😉
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Yes, choice matters. Lovely fluent writing, Na’ama
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Thank you, Penny! 🙂 Here’s to choice!
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