Motherhood (Sunday Photo Fiction)

Photo Credit: C.E. Ayr

Happy Mother’s Day to all who care for children. When I chose this photo as today’s prompt, it was not with Mother’s Day in mind; however, I believe it is perfect for the occasion.

Sunday Photo Fiction is a weekly challenge to write a 200-word story based on a photo prompt. Thanks to C.E. Ayr for providing this week’s challenging photo.

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Nate tenderly watched Anna as she dozed in the chair by the open window. A slight breeze rippled the curtains, granting relief from the heat of the Kenyan sun. Sensing she was being watched, Anna opened her eyes and smiled in love at the man looking down on her.

“I didn’t want to wake you, but there is something I want you to see. Grab your camera.”

They drove several miles to a large watering hole. There, a herd of elephants gathered to cool themselves from the heat. Nate pointed toward a female they called Kakena, meaning happy one.

“Over there.”

Anna eyes followed Nate’s direction. Seconds later, she noticed a young calf, hidden between Kakena’s massive legs.

“She must have delivered during the night,” said Nate. “Looks like we have a healthy girl!”

“Isn’t it a little early to know if it is a boy or girl?” teased Anna.

“Just a feeling,”he said. “What should we call her?”

Anna took her husband’s hand and placed it on her pregnant belly. Soon Anna would give birth to their own child. She smiled in love for the man beside her.

“Are you asking about the elephant, or your daughter?”

 

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This was just a little too serendipitous to not share. A hand-made bookmark from my talented daughter for Mother’s day:

 

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A Mother’s Love (Friday Fictioneers)

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

Friday Fictioneer’s is a weekly challenge to write a complete story in 100 words or less based on a photo prompt. Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting this challenge and Dale Rogerson for this week’s prompt.

“Maggie, did I ever tell you about the time my son…”

Danny tuned his mother out. Another awkward childhood story meant to embarrass him in front of his date.

And her name was Margaret, not Maggie.

Outside the snow accumulated. He could blame the weather for cutting the evening short.

Noticing the sudden silence, Danny realized his mother was gone.

“She said something about bathtub baby pictures.” Margaret smiled in response to his horrified  look.

Across the table, his sister laughed.

 “You’d best hope she forgot where she put your circumcision ring.”

Danny sighed, wishing he was anywhere but here.

 

This story was inspired by my son and the mother I hope I will never be.

 

 

Regrets (Friday Fictioneers)

Photo Credit: Ken Bonham

This story takes place in the 1940’s and should not be judged through 2017 eyes. Back then women had few rights when it came to their children, marriage, and divorce.

Rose left her children before they formed memories of her.  At 16, her step-dad arranged a marriage, a means of ridding himself of her. By 18, she was the mother of two healthy boys: a perfect baby-making machine.  The marriage soured like the alcohol on his breath and at 21, Rose walked out the door, leaving her babies behind.  Because this is what the women in her family did. They moved on. But before leaving for good, Rose sat in her car, across from the school yard, watching her boys play; hoping she did the right thing.

 

This story was inspired by a photo prompt posted on Friday Fictioneer’s, a weekly challenge to write a complete story in 100 words or less. Photo Prompt provided by Ken Bonham.

The Unanswered Question

Photo Credit: S.Spaulding

I wonder who I would be if I were not someone’s wife, mother, sister, friend, employee?

Who am I, in the purest sense?

These were questions Eve asked herself one quiet morning as she sipped coffee from a mug with the words World’s Greatest Mom barely visible from the many cycles in the dishwasher.

She listened for an answer.

She heard the ticking of the clock on the mantel and the silent hum of the refrigerator.

With a heavy sigh, Eve went upstairs, and woke her children up for school.

Unanswered Question

photo credit: Susan Spaulding

I wonder who I would be if I were not someone’s wife, mother, sister, friend, employee? Who am I, in the purest sense?

These were questions Eve asked herself one quiet morning as she sipped coffee from a mug with the words World’s Greatest Mom barely visible from the many cycles in the dishwasher.

She listened for an answer.

She heard the ticking clock on the mantel and the silent hum of the refrigerator.

With a heavy sigh, Eve went upstairs and woke her children up for school.

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This story was also posted on my sister blog My Million Words.  

Here, I ask the questions philosophically… who are we when we remove the masks from the roles we play?

There, it is just a flash fiction.

Take your pick.