Saturday 4 August 2012

Flash!!! (Ah ah....)

OK, so I'm tinkering with flash fiction, which is a new thing for me. The prompt for this was 'balance' and it had to be a maximum of 350 words. This is what I came up with. It's 343 plus title, according to Word. Hope you like it.


Starts with a Single Step

You can do it, baby. Come on.

Sandra smiled her encouragement as her daughter hauled herself to her feet. Clinging to the bars Terri put one tentative leg in front of the other. Her confidence had grown over the past few weeks until it seemed inevitable that she would finally strike out by herself. So convinced was Sandra that today was to be the day that she had persuaded her husband to take a day's leave to be there. She had to do it today; she had to. They had been waiting months for this.

Her daughter glanced across at her, blue eyes doubtful. She had never been the adventurous type and letting go of that support was going to be a big adventure.

David squeezed Sandra's hand. "You can do it, Terri.  Let go."

Their daughter released the bar, standing alone: scared yet triumphant. She wobbled, regaining her balance, the pink tip of her tongue sticking out as she concentrated.

"Come to me, baby," said Sandra. "Mum's here. I'll catch you if you need me." I'll always catch you.

Terri watched her legs as they moved. One hesitant step. Then another. Terri looked up at her parents, tears glittering in her eyes. Sandra could feel her own tears begin to fall; she was so proud of her daughter. Others had learned to do this – many others – but it felt as though Terri was the very first. She raised her phone in trembling hands, capturing the moment to share with family and friends who would miss this momentous occasion.

"Wave to grandma, honey."

Terri waved cautiously, the slight movement threatening to bring her crashing down in a tangle of arms and legs. The nurse was at her side right away and Terri clung to her arm, confidence shaken.

"I think that's enough for one day, don't you? These legs are going to take you time to get used to and we don't want to overtire you."

Sandra nodded, relieved. The bastards that had detonated the bomb in the shopping centre would not win.

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