On Bainbridge Island

“Are you done crying?” he says.

“For now,” she says.

In the back, Suzy sleeps fitful in her car seat.  He watches the tiny face in the rearview, the red stain of the taffy covering her cheeks like a rash.

“I don’t think giving her sugar is such a good idea,” he says.

“I’m sure you don’t,” she says, smearing her index finger down the window, trailing the raindrops outside. “Even if it was your idea,” she adds, almost under her breath.

The line of waiting cars inches forward. “Jesus, this is taking forever,” he mutters. “We’ll never get home.”

 

 

Friday Fictioneers

23 comments

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  1. Joy Pixley

    Wow. Great “moment in the life of” that speaks so well to those little, deadly tensions in a relationship gone sour. Nice visuals of the rain on the window and the messy child’s face.

  2. rochellewisoff

    Dear Josh,

    You set the scene well. I could hear the rain pelting the roof and feel the tension mount between them. (I think you might want to add an ‘ly’ to the end of fitful.) Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

  3. Lynn Love

    Just a lovely piece of writing. You so captured that low level tension, that undercurrent of friction bubbling between them. Love that we came in after the fireworks, just witness to the embers of the argument. Wonderful stuff Josh

  4. Dale

    Oh man… I think I’ve had a drive or two like that. Portrayed so well those moments of a relationship that are not so rosy.

  5. Rowena

    I’d say this is a pretty normal drive for couple with kids. You captured that sense really well and the desperation to get out of the car and run far, run fast, and yet you’re stuck.
    Well done.
    xx Rowena

  6. JS Brand

    Ooer … let’s hope poor little Suzy isn’t taking in enough of this to shape her own future approach to relationships. A good story and VERY realistic.

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