Jackson's a chocolate lab. I brought him home from the no-kill this morning. I've always wanted a dog, but I did it more for Wylie. We stand under the willow with the water running out the hose, Jackson, Wylie and I. Dandelions cover the lawn: a yellow rebellion.
When Wylie was four, a pit bull took a chunk out of his left cheek. He'd been trying to tell the neighbor's dog, this pit bull, the story of three little pigs and his little arms and hands described the shape of the house and that was it: the dog erupted.
Wylie turns the bottle of soap upside down and squeezes. You can rub it in, I tell him. It'll feel good. Wylie's hand hovers above the river of shampoo. If I look close enough I'd see the trembling, but I don't. Instead, I take in Jackson, sitting on the wet grass, covered in strawberry-scented soap, straight, still, waiting for my son's hand.
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Published in wigleaf and later in SmokeLong Quarterly's anniversary issue.
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One of my favorites. So haunting.
I remember this one...the ending is just right.
Love it!
Riveting! an examination of faith, trust and forgiveness. Will it be a transcending moment towards love and comfort or life-changing danger and regret. And I like the strawberry-scented soap.
Thank you, Meg, Claudia, Randall and Morgan. Morgan...I'd like to hope for the former, but you're right--you never know.
Very nicely done.
Thanks, Cooper.
just a great short--couldn't be better
Thanks, Scott!
Love it!
Thanks, Myf!
Katrina, thanks for posting this flash! Nice to find you here.
Thanks, Richard!
It's beautiful, Katrina- I love the sly oxymoron "yellow rebellion"- yet this IS a rebellion, and life-affirming in a non-sentimental way.
Hey, Kat. Would you add this to the SmokeLong group stories? Thanks!
This is wonderful.
Thank you, Kendra and Elizabeth! Very nice of you to comment.
Niiiice!
Thanks for reading, Mary!
This one's still as good as anything I've read. All best.
Thanks so much, Mark. How nice to see you here!
Wow. So much in such a small space. Vivid images and emotions. You've mastered the beauty of brevity. Bravo!
Traci, thanks so much!