This week’s photo prompt is provided by Jodi McKinney. Thank you Jodi!
‘Do you like the fish, Annie?’ Julie stayed the hallway side of the bedroom door, toes on the metal rod that pinned the carpet to the floorboards.
She’d read the file, though had skipped over the details – even after fifteen years, the random cruelty of adults could keep her awake at night. Annie still wore the nightie she’d been found in – grubby, and not from the night’s events – her face black from the fire, hands and forearms prickled with dried blood. She’d been checked by the medical officer – nothing physical to worry about, though the other scars she carried …
‘I’m making pancakes for the others if you’d like some. Maple syrup, lemon and sugar, chocolate spread – we’ve got the lot.’
The golden head moved back and forth, following the dash of the fish through the weed. The child needed a bath, a change of clothing – a hug. But she knew better than to rush these things.
‘I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.’
A slight nod of the golden head.
A start.
Written for FFfAW. See the prompt pic and pen a tale and don’t forget to share, read and comment.
Word Shamble 
Leaves a whole lot to imagine – what Annie has been through, even before the fire, to get to this point. I can’t help wondering if Annie might be responsible for the fire, her only means of escape….?
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Hadn’t thought of that! Perhaps that’s part of the reason she’s so traumatised. Thanks for reading Iain
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I cannot even imagine trying to deal with the emotional and physical needs of one like this. We wish the world was a “good” place and this was only the fiction of our mind, but it isn’t and too many live with this pain. So real!
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Thank you Joe. I know, I wouldn’t know what to do either. And yet – thankfully – some people do and are amazing at it. Thank you for hosting and for reading
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A glimpse into a much bigger story and this left me wanting so many answers about Annie. I hope she and her fish will have a happy ending.
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So do I. Thank you for reading Jade
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With so few words, such depth of feeling. And all because of a cold-blooded fish.
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Thank you very much, Crispina. Thanks for reading
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Very moving and it reads as though you’d were writing from experience. From one of your replies, it looks like you weren’t, so your imagination and ability to empathise must be outstanding.
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Thank you for the lovely comment. My parents fostered children when I was young, so perhaps that’s what you’re sensing there. A very difficult job, at times quite traumatic and I admire anyone who can do it. Thank you very much for reading
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You’re welcome. I couldn’t foster, but really look up to people who can. As a teenager I delivered Sunday newspapers to a house where a couple had fostered numerous children over a couple of decades. Frequently the house would be filled by former foster kids returning, often with their own kids, for Sunday lunch. You could hear the laughter from the other end of the street and feel the affection when they opened the door.
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That’s so heartening – that those kids were given the restart they needed. Thanks for sharing that
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My pleasure. Some of the faces (and the smell of Yorkshire puddings) popped into my head and I had to share.
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🙂
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What a deeply empathetic story. And the responses and your replies to them were so spot on. Loved this hgely, Lynn.
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Thanks so much Neel. Really glad you liked it
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Annies story is much more involved than just the fire but it looks like she has met someone who will be able to help. A very emotional tale nicely done
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Thank you so much Jo. That’s really good of you to say
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Very powerful and disturbing, though thankfully, it ends with a note of hope.
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Thank you so much. Yes, she’s reached a safe place now – let’s hope things only improve for her
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Poor Annie, she cannot trust adults. A sad story of human cruelty. Nice take.
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It’s best not to rush Annie, she needs the patient cautious kind of loving and she’ll come around. A compelling tale with a much deeper story. Lovely writing!
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Thank you so much Brenda
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