Copyright Sean Fallon
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.
I’m happy to re-run the story I submitted for this prompt back in 2012, together with the link to one of my favourite songs bearing the same name. My good news this week, (and who can’t use a bit of good news these days?) is that I’ve been one of ten people short-listed for the Magic Oxygen Literary Prize 2016. There were almost a thousand entries, across 32 different countries, so even though I don’t expect to go much further, I’m still ‘well-chuffed’ at getting past 19 judges, and securing a place in the anthology, to be published later. Rochelle, our genial hostess, is going from strength to strength, blossoming into a star of screen and radio. I don’t know how she finds the time to orchestrate Friday Fictioneers in such an able manner.
castelsarrasin 
Wow, a beautiful piece!! Love the connection with the toys and how some die and some keep going. And congratulations on the short listing!! What an achievement!
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Thank you Jessie. Haven’t seen you at FF for a while. Nice to see you.
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Yes, it’s been too long!! I’ve been distracted with morning sickness (which has now passed thankfully)!
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Ah, I didn’t realise you were in an ‘interesting’ condition. Take care.
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Dear Sandra,
It’s kind of nice to rerun favorites. This one was a good one to revisit. Alas, there are people who are like that, who just suck the energy from you. Still well done and congratulations on the short list. And thank you for you kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle, I quite like having re-runs (or re-treads as we call them in one of my writing groups). It gives you a second chance if you don’t feel you did the photo justice last time, and also, a second chance at sharing a ‘dead’ story if you rather liked what you’d submitted previously. I confess, this is one of my favourites so I was happy to re-run.
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Fantastic writing Sandra. I recognise the characters.
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Thank you Lindy. 🙂
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First congratulations… i hope you make it even further (I think you will actually)… I love the story and this one is one I recognized… there are people sucking up all the heart, yet there has to be something to keep them going… very close to real life..
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Thanks Bjorn. And for your good wishes. Glad you liked this story.
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Congratulations for being short listed Sandra. It’s a real achievement. Good luck (I think you can go all the way!)
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Thank you Louise. Fingers crossed anyway. 🙂
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Nice writing.
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Thank you.
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Great story Sandra!
And congratulations, hope you progress further.
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Thank you! And for your good wishes.
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Since I’ve not read this story before, it’s new to me. Nicely done, both on the story and making the short-list.
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Thank you. I’m glad you liked the story.
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A sad testimony of a controlling spirit.
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They exist. 😦 Thanks for reading Joseph.
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Sadly it is true.
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What a story! I am speechless, one of the best I ever read from your mighty pen. Congrats on your success!
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Thanks Lore, I’m so pleased. 🙂
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Well done Willy and well done you.
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Thank you!
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Today’s just not my day please excuse the spelling mistake
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Congratulations Sandra and great story, first time for me.
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Thanks Mick. 🙂
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A powerful and touching story, Sandra; one sadly based on reality for many.
Well done to your success. One of ten from one thousand; now that’s an achievement!
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Thanks Carolyn. Yes, there’s a thought to keep you warm when you don’t finally get placed. 🙂
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Congrats on your entry. This story is quite thought provoking. I think of the people i have known like this and can only hope by my own dismissal I have helped to diminish them.
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You and Willie have the right idea, Dawn. I’ve not been so perspicacious in the past, but I think I’m onto it now. 🙂
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I can’t imagine having a cruel mother, but you give me an inkling. I like how the son resisted, although it makes me wonder at what cost.
Congrats on more good news, you go from strength to strength.
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Thanks Jen. Let’s hope Willie was a ‘natural’ repeller. 🙂
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Delicious ending! And, again, congrats on another writing milestone.
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Thanks Alicia. Last year I started my writing year with a couple of successes and then it all went fallow for a while. Here’s hoping there’s more consistency this year.
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What a wonderful story. It’s so true. Some people are only capable of negativity. Congrats on your story success! 😄
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Thank you! On both counts. 🙂
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The thing that impresses me most is that you were writing such fabulous stories 4 years ago.
I think this is a small masterpiece.
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Thanks CE, I appreciate that comment. I sometimes wonder whether I didn’t have better ideas back then, but have acquired more skill at putting them across since then. All I know is I gave a lot of good ideas away ‘for the love’ as it were. 🙂
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You will never run out of ideas, Sandra.
And your ability has improved from merely excellent.
Dinna fret, lass, don’t worry!
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I knew this woman.
Very well written as always, Sandra.
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I hope you emerged unscathed then, Lynda. That’s not always easy. 😉
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There are so many people like that and they do so much damage. Within the family home it must be devastating. Thankfully the little brother broke the cycle.
Congratulations on being shortlisted Sandra, well deserved 🙂
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Thank you Siobhan! 🙂
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how do you manage to write so beautifully, i envy your writing
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Thank you, that’s a lovely compliment. 🙂
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A beautifully written, amazing story, Sandra! Your humanity and your oblique analogy to that image leaves me deeply moved and somewhat shaken.
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Thank you so much for dropping by.
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My pleasure!
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Congrats Sandra for your great achievement. Nice story.
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Many thanks Indira. 🙂
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I remember this story, Sandra, I’m glad you re-ran it (it must have been a good idea because I did the same for mine!) and shared it again! Sorry I have been out of the loop, as we say in the States. All the best.
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Lovely to see you here again, Kent.
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Thanks! 🙂
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Some mothers do think it’s their right to live their kids’ lives.
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Indeed they do. Thanks for reading Liz
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this is the first time i read the story. thank you for reposting it. otherwise, i would have missed a truly good story. congrats on being recognized again. you deserve it.
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Thank you Plaridel! 🙂
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I’m sure I read this one the first time, but I can barely remember what I had for breakfast let alone something I read three and a half years ago. I’m glad someone was able to turn the tables on her. Sounds like she was a real Debbie Downer. I try to stay as far away from those people as possible.
Congrats on making the short list. Rochelle has a real advantage in that area because she’s only shoulder high to begin with. Like you, I’m amazed at the amount of energy that little woman has and the volume of talent that resides in such a small package.
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Thanks Russell. Yes, Rochelle has it all. She’s a keeper.
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Lovely story. Congratulations on the short-listing and good luck
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Many thanks!
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Loved it!
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Thank you!
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I love the witty imagery here, Sandra! And who isn’t now envisioning a pink bunny???
Mazel tov on such an incredible honor! I’ll keep my fingers and toes crossed for you, when I’m not eating or typing. When do you hear the final outcome? Hope your name ends up on an even shorter list… of one! xo
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Thanks Dawn, I think the results are announced at their Literary Festival on the south coast at the end of March. Fingers crossed, but I recognise some of the other names on the shortlist. 😦
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Well, we all happen to recognize YOUR name on that same list… so, chin up darlin! xox
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Amen … I concur with the previous comments, Well done !!!
Congratulation on the ‘Magic Oxygen Literary Prize 2016’. It’s extremely well deserved.
Your writing is inspirational.
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Many thanks Isadora!
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That was a great take on the prompt. I love your comparison. Strong writing then and you just keep getting better and better.
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Thanks Erin 🙂
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It sounds like it was all a power struggle for mom and a battle of wills. It seems like someone will lose that battle eventually. Great story, Sandra. Congrats on your great news!! Yes, I do need some. I’m so thrilled for you. Excellent!
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Thank you Amy! 🙂
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Great story, horrible mum, what everyone else said. And congrats on your short-listing. Way to go, Sandra!
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Thanks Gah! 🙂
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Well done Willie, refusing to crumble. There are people about who just suck the life out of you.
And well done getting to the short-list!
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Thank you! Yes, some people can be quite draining. 🙂
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Something quite haunting superimposing mechanical operations over corporeal ones. I keep rereading.
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Thank you Stephanie. 🙂
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Interesting family dynamics portrayed here. Congratulations on the very well deserved short list .
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Thank you!
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What a strange story about a dysfunctional family with a battery type metaphor. Never read anything like that before. Great, as usual.
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Thank you Perry.
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This is an amazing story – so insightful, and even more poignant that it’s the mother who’s draining the hearts from her children. Congratulations on your shortlisting. I’d never heard of this award – or organisation – before, and I think it’s just a wonderful idea. I’m sure you’ll be in with a strong chance.
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Thank you for your comments, and for your support, Margaret.
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Thank goodness one of them got the better of her! Another beautifully crafted story Sandra and fantastic news at more recognition of your talent, I wouldn’t be surprised to see you go all the way.
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Thank you jwd! 🙂
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Congratulations, Sandra for being short-listed for the Magic Oxygen Literary Prize 2016 and so being in the anthology. I hope you win but, as you say, you’ve gone far already. Great story. It’s horrible to have to stay away from a family member because they virtually suck the life out of you. Well done. —- Suzanne
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Thank you for your comments Suzanne Hope all is well with you.
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Congratulations and good luck, Sandra! I enjoyed your story, and I’m glad that Willie survived their mother! Nice take on the prompt.
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Thank you Emily! 🙂
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