When Mother plonks herself down at the rickety outdoor restaurant table to wait for Father, I am warmed by the two hundred-crown notes I liberated from her wallet. Two years after divorcing him, she is handing me over. She tells me she loves me but. My teacher has reported on my absenteeism, the police on the newspaper kiosk robbery accusation; in my room she finds her long-lost ruby ring, the rubbers, my teacher's glasses.
In the family meeting she cries. “You are fourteen, Mirko. What has become of you? Reform school or your father's?”
She orders a beer, switches to mineral water. I order a beer, watch her look, laugh. She glances over, cannot stand the sight. I start whistling “All You Need Is Love”. “You could…try a little,” she exhales.
In the bathroom I throw the toilet paper in the garbage, take the lid off the tank. When I return, Father is with her, face stinking with cheer. “So, how have my two favorite people in the world been?” he asks.
Her eyelid twitches. “You have to do it, Lado.”
“Aaah, don't you worry. He's a chip off the old block. I'll show him what he needs.”
Rising, she knocks her chair over. “Maybe he'd be better off in reform school after all.” But they agreed: they will try the father.
She pats my arm. “Call me if…”
I nod. “You will bail us out, won't you, sweet Mami?”
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Mirko is a hoodlum occupying a part of my mind, who has been screaming recently to tell his own story. This is one of about ten stories about him, none of which have seen the light of day until now.
A revised version of this story appears on 52/250, theme "to the core".
You have three very interesting characters here, Andrew, and you've chosen a moment here where they're bound to collide, regardless of their polite conversation. Nicely done.
total dysfunction -- love it! i want to know what happens to the kid, and if he survives the father. welcome to fn! peace...
Thanks, Susan, thanks, Linda. Mirko is jumping out of his skin with the importance of his stories. He insists they have to be told. I told him I have a novel to finish, and other stories to tell and he said he will burn down the house while I am sleeping in it. So, stay tuned for more of his stories.
Good to see you here, Andrew! This is a great scene. Mirko's screams are being heard... and that last line definitely makes me wonder what's next.
Beautiful story, high in craft and style and message
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This is a compelling story and you have all of the necessary ingredients: interesting characters, tight dialogue, and the family dynamics. Intrigued to have more of Mirko's stories to look forward to! Fave. *
Missed this one (the first?) somehow. Great, great series!