Friday Fictioneer Wednesday has rolled around again. Thanks to Santoshwriter for the beautiful picture prompt.
It’s a good day when baby don’t cry. I knows he’s just a little ‘un, but with all the scrubbin’ and cookin’ I gots to do for the mens, I ain’t got much time left to tend him each time he whimpers or pees hisself. Sam Joseph says to just hang baby naked in a pint-sized hammock and let him do his business. No mamma can do that. ‘Sides I gots to feed tiny man. End of day I’m beat, and sometimes beatin’ by Master Tom. He don’t much like the fact baby gots his blue eyes and bad temper.
Up From the Ashes 
Ahha, clever last line reveals all. Loved it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Claire. This is another “steal” from a short I wrote in my writing practice group. Seemed to fit the beads of water and small blue flowers. Glad you liked it. Have a wonderful day.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Alicia,
A whole novel between the lines. So well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, Fearless Leader.
LikeLike
Chip off the old block. There’s something terrifying about a casual acceptance of violence.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is meant to be told in the voice of a black slave in the 1800’s. I don’t think she had much choice. Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I appreciate it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very convincing voice in this piece Alicia. Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sandra. Welcome back.
LikeLike
I’m worried for mother and child. Will they be sold? There’s so much tragedy in this story… great story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Who knows what’s in store for this poor lady. Thanks for worrying. Maybe it “will be continued.” I always appreciate it when you read and comment. Cheers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, this is so well written. Great voice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for such a lovely compliment. I’m glad you stopped by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bet there are still parts of the world where this is a reality! Nicely done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sad, but very true. Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the great picture.
LikeLike
I love this Alicia. Such a great voice (and twist).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I appreciate your stopping to read Telltale Eyes and am glad you liked both the voice and the twist at the end.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sure is a superb abstract of the big picture. Nice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks you for reading and leaving such a lovely comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad Sam Joseph isn’t in charge of baby care! Loved the dialect, and great last line.
LikeLike
Yes! Sam Joseph doesn’t know too much about children, that’s for sure. Thanks for reading.
LikeLike
Oh the last line just closed it perfectly.. I like it when the whole story gets explained by that last line.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Bjjorn. I’m enjoying your poetry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great little story with a bit of a sting in its tail.
Rosey Pinkerton’s blog
LikeLike
Rosey, I do believe such a situation would sting in many ways. Thanks for reading.
LikeLike
I can never understand slavery, the master begatting children he doesn’t acknowledge. You got the tone just perfect.
Lily
LikeLike
ooh, this one goes deep…
LikeLike
I’d hoped it would. Thanks.
LikeLike
That last line really brought this home!
LikeLike
I’m glad! Thanks for reading, Dawn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great story! I loved the twist at the end!
LikeLike
I did read this and I loved it! “Babys got blue eyes and a bad temper like you.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous. You have so brought her to life with that voice of hers. And that last sentence is perfect.
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Sarah!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! This is really good. Amazing! A great reveal at the end. That voice is so well written, I could hear it. It’s wonderful what you’ve done in so few words.
LikeLike
A big thank you to you, Ula. So very glad you liked the story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great piece and great last line.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Perry.
LikeLike
Great story. Tears any parent’s heart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, MJ. I think slavery would be tough – especially for parents.
LikeLike
You’ve told an entire story beyond its 100 words and in a brilliant voice. I really enjoyed this
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear, TRG, those are lovely words. Thank you.
LikeLike
You’re welcome 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a sad story – a close-up look at a scene that was probably commonplace way back then. Great voice – the character comes alive.
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Margaret.
LikeLike
I haven’t tried that hammock approach, but it sounds logical. Probably have to move it every couple of days though.
Beautifully constructed, and I loved the voice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Russell. I think the hammock approach my be just the ticket – probably because I’ve never had children. Glad you liked the story. Alicia
LikeLike
Oh, I meant for me, not the kid. 🙂
LikeLike
Oh, that’s funny. I may need one, too. Maybe we should patent the idea.
LikeLike
A big story here. A hammock for me too – see above.
LikeLike
We’ll probably all need hammocks soon. Ha!
LikeLike