Copyright Randy Mazie
We create our own reality, they say.
And I’ve only recently grasped the hair’s breadth between Joe’s reality and a nightmare.
I bring food daily to the derelict multi-storey, occasionally clean clothes. He sells the clothes to fuel his habit.
Sometimes he recognises me, his eyes fill with tears. Mostly though, he’ll snarl, scrabble away towards the shadows.
I no longer want him back. I’ve other siblings that mustn’t be tainted.
“I’m coming home soon, Sis,” he says today, and my own reality edges closer to hell. There are, I’ve learned, no fairy-tale endings.
“Here’s 30 bucks,” I say. “Treat yourself.”
I love it when a story has legs; I’ve long fretted that once a short story is published, it dies its own death – you can’t use it again, unless, of course you’re a world-famous writer. My story The Reluctant Witness won Writing Magazine’s flash fiction competition way back, and then won again on the only site I knew that accepted previously published work, Ink Tears. And now it gets a third outing on Amazon as part of their Splash of Ink commemorative collection. I think I can let that one rest in peace now – its work here is done. 🙂
Someone whose stories very definitely have legs is Rochelle Wisoff-Fields, leader of Friday Fictioneers. Thank you Rochelle, for all your work.
castelsarrasin 
An insightful picture of how, lurking beneath generosity are other emotions
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Thanks for reading, Neil.
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Thee veiled Biblical reference to throwing thirty pieces of silver is very laudable. What a fabulous story, expertly written. Hat’s off to you, Sandra.
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Thanks for reading, Neel.
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Excellent take on the prompt!
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Thanks Reena.
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Sounds like a nasty cycle!
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It is. Thanks for reading.
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My goodness that’s a dark and powerful story! Kudos, Sandra!
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Thanks for reading, Penny.
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An interesting story of familial martyrdom. I sense self-interest behind the altruism. Well done.
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A protective nature, doing its best under the circumstances.
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Brilliant story, Sandra and congratulations on not only your success with getting your flash fiction piece published but just getting it out there. That’s something I really struggle with. Not so much from a courage point of view. My struggles are more along the organizational and energy front.
Many of us know someone who has a family member like this and it’s really hard for them to know how to deal with it in the long term. Usually really difficult, heartbreaking decisions are made and walls are put up. For me, it’s very much a case of until you’ve been through that, you don’t know what you’d do.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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I struggle to make the effort these days too, Rowena. Thanks for reading, and happy new decade.
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Thanks very much, Sandra.
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Wow! That’s beautiful and harsh. It’s awards are all well earned.
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Thank you.
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This line sums up your story, which is a microcosm of a larger truth: “There are, I’ve learned, no fairy-tale endings.” Excellent flash fiction.
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Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
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You are very welcome, Sandra.
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This was brilliant, Sandra. Keeping him where he “belongs” so she can more easily easily deal with him – on her terms.
Kudos on that story (which was also brilliant!)
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Thanks Dale. Yes, on the face of it a very base reaction but dedicated to the greater good.
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That was dark, harsh, and so impactful. Brilliant. And many congratulations on the spate of awards Sandra!
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Thank you.
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Oh boy, that last line. I bet he can buy an accidental overdose with that…
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I expect he can. And will.
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I like the way she recognises Joe’s reality is a nightmare, but she doesn’t want her own reality turning to hell with his return.
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There’s the rest of the family to think of. Thanks for reading, Clare.
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More often than not. family members in his situation are set aside, ignored and even forgotten. A poignant piece indeed.
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They can be. Thanks for reading Keith.
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Dear Sandra,
This story does have legs. Brilliant piece of writing as I’d expect. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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it’s a situation that has reached beyond her capability to handle. the state has to take over. he needs professional help.
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Money buys distance. A lesson in healthy (and otherwise) boundaries. Who we think we should be, when faced with such crises, and who, based on many factors, we choose to be,may be two different things.
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Wonderful story, how great that it has seen the light of day on several occasions.
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Well done on getting your story placed three times! Though I’m not surprised, seeing the quality of your flash fiction.
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Hmmm… I’m not sure what is worse, her brother coming back or she giving him money to fuel his habit.
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Such a brilliant but sad story.
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The point of no return, come to mind.
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WoW! Good stuff, really brilliant tale
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Sandra, I was intrigued by your title, wondering where you were going with it. You never disappoint. Excellent.
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That’s interesting, Sandra. I sent one story and got second place but the found out it became their property. I now am very careful. The publishers sometimes think it’s terrible of a writer to ask for money or some to keep the publishing rights. How small of us to ask for those things (they think). 😦 — Suzanne
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Powerful write.
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Great 100 words. Congrats on your publishing feat. (so to speak 😉 )
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