by Kate Keeley
Member since:
March 4, 2007

No Matter What--100 word stories--Week 11--Challenge

April 24, 2008 12:40 AM EDT
views: 149 | rating: 10/10 (40 votes) | comments: 43

Cole tossed a handful of dirt. It landed in Myra's hair, and she slapped his hand. His squeals made her head throb. "Shut up!" Myra fell back on the grass. She flung an arm over her face.

"Nice stroller," a baby voice said.

Myra groaned. She despised baby talk.

More gooey words assaulted her ears:  "My parents are loaded, but I'd rather play in the dirt. Let's trade places."

"We better not."

"Why not? Because your mom's so nice? She smacked you."

"She loves me."

Myra sat up.

Cole reached for her, his lip trembling, tears shiny in his eyes.
link to this page
Bookmark this post:
Facebook
Twitter
Delicious
Buzz
More

Comments: 43

Kamran Qureshi Apr 24, 2008, 1:06am EDT
This is such a lovely short story. Thanks Kate
Laura Cushing Apr 24, 2008, 1:32am EDT
Aww, little people - good story!

Click here to join the green team
KC Klein Apr 24, 2008, 2:09am EDT
a fun little ditty
lynn a. Apr 24, 2008, 2:58am EDT
Oh, this hurts, but good. I hope Cole's mother picks him up and hugs him and loves him just because he is there.
Wanda H. Apr 24, 2008, 3:22am EDT
Oh and arent they quick to forgive us. Very sweet drabble.
penni d. Apr 24, 2008, 7:28am EDT
Oh, it was so sweet, Kate! :)
Charli Mills Apr 24, 2008, 8:36am EDT
Makes me want to hug the babies! The easy banter back and forth is cute (in a cute baby sort of way) until the twist, making it an excellent drabble! I like the phrase, "gooey words;" what an image for baby-talk!
Becky Powell Apr 24, 2008, 8:41am EDT
Kate, what an image! There's a lot going on in this story. Wonderful!
Kristina B. Apr 24, 2008, 9:03am EDT
Every mom has a little bit of Myra lurking about inside her...great drabble!
Marianne M. Apr 24, 2008, 9:59am EDT
Well done, Kate! I love Myra's character ... flawed and vulnerable. I KNOW she picked Cole up and hugged him ...
Kay M. Apr 24, 2008, 11:40am EDT
Very well done Kate. Such a poignant piece in so few words.
Donald M. Apr 24, 2008, 1:00pm EDT
That was very good.
Sheila Deeth Apr 24, 2008, 1:25pm EDT
Lovely poignant drabble.
Lune Wolfsong Apr 24, 2008, 3:37pm EDT
Nicely done, Kate. Poignant and powerful.
Jan S. Apr 24, 2008, 3:44pm EDT
Sweet and sad. Well written!
I'm a tad bit confused, but the way I read it, Cole and Myra are babies. Makes sense to me that they are babies...that's my answer and I'm sticking to it : - D

From a babies point of view this is an awesome drabble, if they aren't babies then I don't understand the story Kate. You know this will bug me until I know for sure...or perhaps you are leaving it up to our imagination.
Pat M. Apr 24, 2008, 5:08pm EDT
A short story in the classic style, very well done.
Ann M. (Site Scryer) Apr 24, 2008, 5:35pm EDT
This reminds me of the story I read online. It was about a Mom who was so distraught when her 2-year-old threw a public tantrum that she flung herself down on the ground next to him and threw an adult tantrum at the same time! (Her child immediately stopped crying and stared in horror.)
Jane O. Apr 24, 2008, 5:50pm EDT
I second Sierra's comment.
Tanya P. Apr 24, 2008, 5:51pm EDT
Awwwwwwwwwww. --- And headaches so young, when the boy hasn't pleased her. Not a good forecast for the future 'boy' in her life! LOL
Alison Pearce Apr 24, 2008, 5:57pm EDT
Great drabble
Amanda C. Apr 24, 2008, 6:10pm EDT
great job, Kate!
elizabeth e. Apr 24, 2008, 6:16pm EDT
I do love Myra's personality....nice drabble.
Susan B. Apr 24, 2008, 7:47pm EDT
Wonderful drabbling Kate!
sheila h. Apr 24, 2008, 7:54pm EDT
Kate,I am agreeing with Human Kathrine ,here..where did the mom come in that slapped? i thought the babies were talking and one slapped the other..sorry if I am missing it..

hey BTW what's up with Orion's belt?!
Marge H. Apr 24, 2008, 9:58pm EDT
I hope his mom picked him up and hugged him too. Great job.
Jim Ross Apr 24, 2008, 10:26pm EDT
Seems like understanding comes for one who listens with more than ears, Kate. Loved your story. Good job.
Ann R. Apr 26, 2008, 12:22am EDT
Reminds me of watching toddlers at the beach. Every nationality playing in the sand and checking each other out. As interesting to watch as this was to read Kate.
Stephanie B. Apr 26, 2008, 1:17am EDT
They are manipulative.
William Dotani Apr 26, 2008, 7:56am EDT
Very surreal. This story give an adult like emotion to interaction between two babies who are discovering their likes and dislikes about each other through baby actions.
Ruthe M. Apr 26, 2008, 8:05am EDT
Awww. Nicely done!
Mary Beth Magee Apr 27, 2008, 2:14pm EDT
What a bittersweet twist you slipped in there, Kate! Well done.
David S. Apr 27, 2008, 6:23pm EDT
You are so good at these! I'm gonna have to try this soon.
necee t. Apr 28, 2008, 12:33am EDT
very unique... i agree with Mary Beth...
well done... Blessings...
Virginia M. Jun 17, 2008, 8:51pm EDT
Nice...I like this!
Jo C. Jun 18, 2008, 2:02am EDT
I'm in awe, didn't waste a single word and created a strong piece, too!
Wonderfully written and in 100 words too, that's amazing just by itself. I love this one.

Marilyn
Shelbia C. Jul 27, 2008, 2:24am EDT
I thought they were both babies at first two, then I went back and read it again. I can see Myra as the mother eho gets irritated with her baby and then finda fades out for a few minutes and imagines this conversation between her baby and another one who is in the park. Either way, it is a good story.
Shelbia C. Sep 9, 2008, 5:29am EDT
Read this again. I didn't realize there were so many typos in my comment. I must have been tired. I still like the story though.

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Make New Friends | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Health | Moms | Money | News | Politics | Spirituality | Sports | Travel | Writing
Version 16836, "Oz"; Copyright © 2009 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.