
Todd’s about to go looking for Matty when the door opens.
‘Where’s the firewood?’
‘I got thinking, Dad.’
The sun’s out and meltwater’s dripping off the roof.
‘It’s the drive. We’re not snowed in anymore.’
‘How d’you know?’
‘I walked down to the road.’
Todd nods. He knows what’s coming. He’s had all winter to find the right words. All winter wasn’t long enough.
‘Mom’ll come home now, right?’
Todd told Matty that Helen got stuck in civilisation with the roads closed for winter. He shouldn’t have lied. But Helen shouldn’t have left them without telling Matty she won’t return.
***
Friday Fictioneers time. You can spend the whole weekend reading stories if you like.
This story illustrates so well the fact that the longer you put off telling the truth, the harder it becomes.
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Cheers, Sarah! You’re right – I’m glad I’m not Todd…
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My favorite part: “He’s had all winter to find the right words. All winter wasn’t long enough.”
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Thank you, Karen! I rather like that bit myself 🙂
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Dashed hopes – very sad.
I feel as if I’m colluding with Todd – the sort of piece where you want to shout at one of the characters! Indeed, if only…
(I also love that apostrophe in the title.)
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I’d say Todd deserves to be shouted at. Thank you 🙂
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Matty will find his mother’s leaving far harder to take after being lied to for so long. It’s a pity Todd didn’t find the courage earlier. Nicely done.
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Thank you, Millie! Yes, I rather think Todd will come to regret keeping the lie alive all winter…
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I agree with the others. He’s gotten himself into a pickle for keeping quiet. It’s going to be harder for both of them.
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It certainly will. cheers, PJ!
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Cheers Sonya!!
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That was great Sonya, really well created characters – you’ve got me all worried about poor Matty now..!
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Thank you!
I was worried about Matty, too, so I wrote more about him to find out how he copes: https://sonyca.wordpress.com/2015/03/14/diy-anger-management-matty-part-2/
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thanks Sonya – well it seems as though the experience has strengthened his character. I really enjoyed this piece as unfortunately quite a few children have to live the reality of having a parent leave, and I always wonder how a child deals with it – particularly having a mother leave.. it could be an interesting theme for you to expand on as it isn’t dealt with very often..
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The truth will out. Better sooner than later – nice one.
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Thank you, Sandra!
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well written, i like how you ended it
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Thanks you, that’s good to hear!
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Dear Sonya,
Todd has a tough job ahead.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Indeed he does. Thank you for reading, Rochelle!
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Oh what a tangled web we weave … poor little boy.
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Thank you, Liz!
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