This week’s prompt from Friday Fictioneers comes courtesy of Sean Fallon. When I saw this, I just couldn’t get a particular song out of my head.
Funny thing about mother; slowly, surreptitiously, she just kinda sucked the heart out of you. One by one, people diminished, gave up, drifted away.
Some of us, like my father, suddenly went bang; but my sisters and I, we just slowly wound down, crumbling, giving in, until finally we stopped functioning altogether.
All except Willie, the youngest of us kids. He just went drumming on, like some damn automaton, plugging away at life, refusing to get sucked under.
And that was what finished her… in the end; without his, her jar of hearts wasn’t worth a dime.
castelsarrasin 
Turnabout is Fuad play and Mom for hers. I really liked this. Your story and mine are polar opposites this week!
LikeLike
This must be Elmer Fuad….
LikeLike
Blasted iPad changed “fair” to “Fuad.” What’s that all about??
LikeLike
Thanks for commenting; I got it in the end! 🙂
LikeLike
Intriguing interpretation. I like it!
LikeLike
Thank you; loved yours.
LikeLike
Sandra, thanks for sharing that beautiful song. I’ve never heard of it before. All I can think of when I see this is all the toys that have stopped working. Your piece is quite rich and complex. I really enjoyed it. Nice job!
LikeLike
Thank you! Glad you liked the song too.
LikeLike
Super ending to a read that actually pops with flavor! Teee-RIFFIC!!!
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
good one! That makes my shake my foot slower and slower and….
LikeLike
🙂 Thanks for dropping by.
LikeLike
Sounds like my Jewish mother. If she can’t eat your heart out, she just can’t be happy. And that’s every last heart in the family – there can be no hold outs. She takes no prisoners.
Good story.
Randy
LikeLike
Some mothers are like that. 😉 Thanks for dropping by.
LikeLike
Quite a story, Sandra. Sad and eerie at the same time, Great take on the prompt.
LikeLike
Thanks Rochelle. 🙂
LikeLike
A very original take on the prompt. Sad and nicely done. I love that song by Christina Perri.
LikeLike
Thanks boomiebol – yes it’s quite a haunting song.
LikeLike
Such a touching story, and you said so much in so few words. Well done.
LikeLike
Very nice and sad take on the prompt.
LikeLike
Thank you for dropping by.
LikeLike
So he couldn’t keep going and going and going. No energizers. That’s what came to mind as I read your entry. Great work.
LikeLike
Thanks for dropping by. 🙂
LikeLike
Sad ending, I had to read a few times to let the jar of hearts moment sink in. And now the songs in my head!
LikeLike
It’s a really haunting song – I just couldn’t help myself with this prompt. Thanks.
LikeLike
Powerful stuff. (No pun intended.)
LikeLike
🙂 Thank you.
LikeLike
Good smile in response to that one!
Mine: http://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2012/11/15/friday-fictioneers-3/
LikeLike
Thanks, enjoyed yours.
LikeLike
Nice work. I liked the aspect of the two sisters, just winding down; that was an apt description.
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/the-rising-of-the-moon/
LikeLike
Thanks Maggie, enjoyed your take as well.
LikeLike
Very original and thought-provoking. Makes me count the blessings of my family.
LikeLike
Yes, a normal family is indeed a god-send. Thanks for commenting Anne.
LikeLike
Clever take on the battery prompt, Sandra, and one I really enjoyed. I’ve liked the song for a while, too. I like how you linked that in. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Joanna. 🙂
LikeLike
Very different approach turning the batteries into hearts and making the jar a collection. Good job.
LikeLike
Thanks Perry
LikeLike
A unique and sad take on the prompt. Beautifully told, Sandra. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you – enjoyed yours too.
LikeLike
Nice to know one of her victims had the strength to resist–sad for the rest.
LikeLike
The one that got away… 🙂
LikeLike
That was very original, I had to go hug my kids. Thanks.
LikeLike
Thanks for dropping by Mari.
LikeLike
Hi Sandra,
Guess Willie was the Energizer Bunny of the bunch! The mother sounds like a character you could develop even further. Intriguing and alluring story. Would like to read more of it. Ron
LikeLike
Thanks Ron. That was one unusual mother…
LikeLike
Interesting take on this. What a sad tale. Glad there was a hold out in the family. What a controlling mom. I’m on board, too, with a humorous take.
LikeLike
Thank you Beth.
LikeLike
Hey Sandra,
The youngest learn the most the fastest. Really enjoyed this one….an excellent take on the prompt.
Tom
LikeLike
Thank you Tom! 🙂
LikeLike
Another reader who loves the clever twist you put on batteries! Very original, and unfortunately very real too – I’ve met people like this.
LikeLike
Thanks Sharon; yes I’ve been eaten up and spat out before now… 😦
LikeLike
all or none or it ain’t complete.
LikeLike
Thanks for dropping by Rich.
LikeLike
Lovely piece of writing. Interesting how the narrator can see what is happening in the family, but not do anything about it.
LikeLike
Thank you Claire. I enjoyed yours too this week, and am still thinking about it.
LikeLike
Dear Sandra,
For my own reasons, which is what is always the case, i guess, your story this week (and thanks for sharing the song) was right up there with the best work I’ve ever read from you. Cannot share more. Just know that this was picture perfect and very well written.
Aloha,
Doug
LikeLike
Thank you Doug, I appreciate your sentiments. I think the character struck a chord with a few people. Write what you know, they say. 😉 And while I’d be the first to admit that the song is a bit dirge-like, it’s one that gets into your head. Thanks for dropping by.
LikeLike
A Jar of Hearts… a nice image. Kind of the same energy… for people.
LikeLike
Sandra,
We all know people who can suck the heart right out of you with their negativity and depressing attitude. You did a brilliant job of capturing this–and I love the brother. Positive energy has a way of short-circuiting those who make it their life’s work to bring the rest of us down.
LikeLike