Young Boy
This is my fifth April A-to-Z Challenge. The past couple of years, I’ve written 100-word flash fiction each day. This year I’m doing the same, only with a twist: each day’s story will be inspired by the title of a Paul McCartney song. So let’s continue the fun with…
YOUNG BOY
“Do you think William will be okay?”
“Yes, dear, I do.”
“Did he pack a change of clothes?”
“I’m very sure he did.”
“What about underwear?”
“Yes, even underwear. And his toothbrush. And toothpaste.”
“Does he have enough money, you know, for snacks and stuff?”
“Yes, I do believe he’s okay for cash.”
“That boy,” Tom said, smiling. “They grow up so quickly.”
Mary echoed his smile. “They do.”
“It seems only yesterday he was playing with his trucks on the carpet.”
“I know. And now he’s driving one of his own.”
“He’ll always be our boy, though, won’t he?”
Check back tomorrow for the last day of the challenge, the letter “Z”…
“Young Boy” is a track from Paul’s 1997 album, “Flaming Pie.” It was released as a single that same year, reaching number 19 in the UK charts. He is joined on the recording by Steve Miller, who plays electric guitar and supplies backing vocals.
Aww.. my son is only 6 and half now.. and when I see him want to do things on his own.. I start thinking about how fast they grow! Well captured.
Seena
#AtoZChallenge – Y is for Yoga
Thanks, Seena! I have six kids, two of them adult, and the youngest is turning 12 in a few months. They do grow up way too quickly. Treasure this time with your son, as I’m sure you do. 🙂
This is precious as is the song. So you thought you had just one more 100 word story for the letter Z. Apparently, the shark had some other ideas. At least, you’ve practiced. Good luck this weekend and good job with all these. The 100 word thing is so tough.
Thank you, Elise! I thought this would be a nice change of pace and style as we approach the end of the month. I saw that contest. With start and end words?! That’s going to be tough. All the best to you, too! 🙂
It is indeed a precious story, dear Colin! Your stories always touch my heart. Good luck with Janet’s contest. Crossing my fingers for you! 😀
Thank you, Lilac! 😀
Some parents never let their kids grow up completely, it seems. Two of my friends were calling their daughter “the baby” when she was 12.
Yeah, I have to say, I understand. My youngest is nearly 12, and while we don’t call her “baby” she is the youngest of six, so she is the baby. I don’t think we treat her like a baby, though–I hope not, and I hope your friends didn’t treat their daughter that way, no matter what they called her.
Sweet 🙂
Thanks! 🙂
My youngest is 26, and its really true – you never stop worrying.
No, you don’t. 🙂
There’s a picture floating around of a little guy dressed up in fatigues standing next to a ruck sack as big as he is next to a line of other soldiers. The caption is, “How a mother sees her son.” To an extent, though the boys will always be my boys.
My mother still calls me “Punkie” and I’m in my 60’s and talks about how clumsy I am even though I have completely remodeled houses including building my own cabinets from scratch.
This is such a sweet story. I love it.
I’m going to pass on the Queen’s short story. I need to get back to serious work on the manuscript and have no talent with shorts.
I only have one son, and he towers over me, but I still give him hugs and call him “my boy!” I’m not sure he appreciates it, but frankly, I don’t care. 🙂
Aww! I like Punkie. I don’t know you personally, but from the stories you tell, somehow it seems to fit. 😀 As for the clumsy bit… it took a long time for my parents to stop assuming the way I thought and behaved as a child was the way I still behaved and thought as a teen and a young adult. I vowed that I would always give my kids room to grow, and self-correct behavior. So far I think I have.
Thanks, Julie. All I can say is I’m glad I wrote all these in advance. I don’t know if I could have coped with the pressure of writing a “Z” story AND a new-rules contest entry for Janet! 🙂
Awww, sweet and sad tale.
~Ninja Minion Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
Thanks, Patricia! 🙂
Colin,
You’re so adept at slowing things down and putting your reader in the moment. This story is a wonderful example of that talent of yours. And it’s the perfect story for it, slowing down the reader and the story tries (in vain, of course) to slow down time.
Nice job on this one, really nice crafting.
Thanks, John. This and the Barbie and Ken story (“Pretty Little Head”) were my attempts to strip everything down to just dialog. I’ve seen it done so well in Janet’s contests, so I wanted to give it a try. It’s not easy to convey story like this, so I appreciate your kind words. 🙂
This one brought tears.
Awww! Thank you Angie! *big hug* 🙂