A witness saw her walk across the field, jump rope in hand. Shimmied up the old cherry tree. Looked like she was playing.
I stand beneath it, eyes shut, feeling the wind on my skin. A blossom grazes the top of my head, like a toe swinging back and forth.
Tim Boiteau lives in Michigan, is the author of the dark fantasy novel The Drummer Girl, and a Writers of the Future winner. See more at timboiteau.com.
Wow. Haunting. I’ll remember this one for a long time.
Thanks for commenting. Glad you enjoyed it.
Congratulations on Story of the Year!
Thank you very much. I still can’t believe it. There were so many other great contenders.
That story shocked me. I didn’t expect it would end that way
After reading this a second time, I took it to mean something more sinister than a missing child. When it hit me, I wondered if it was me, or did you intend to go there?
That was indeed my intention, Ruth. I don’t want to be more specific because I hope others will be guided by their own interpretations. Thanks for commenting.
Tim,
Brilliant, brilliant story! I’ll remember this one for a long time. I knew what was coming and yet that last line was still a chilling gut punch that will haunt my psyche.
Thanks for commenting, Christopher. Glad you liked it.
Hauntingly sad, and graceful. Well done.
Thanks for the lovely comment, Carrie.
You handled this with great sensitivity and stellar storytelling. Sadly, in our community a few years ago, a high school girl ended her life that way. And, I “ditto” Christopher Alden’s comment.
Thanks for the comment, Jenise. I’m very sorry to hear that.
jump rope in hand speaks of youth and innocence so simply and so quickly – an economical shocker
We don’t have many words, so we need to make each one count. Thanks for commenting.
Can’t say I’m understanding what’s happening in my head right now. 50 words took it for a wild ride in a roller coaster. Nice work Tim.
Thanks for commenting. Glad you enjoyed it!
So subtle I had to read several times before the tragic impact settled in. Powerful and gentle at the same time.
Thank you for sharing, Kathy.
Haunting and brilliantly penned. This one will stay with me.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Touching and brilliant. I thank you.
Thank you for the lovely comment, Sharon.
The last sentence – WOW!
I still didnit get it ;(
Haunting, beautiful, and brilliant! Congrats!
Now I know what a “50 word story” is!
Just in time for Halloween. I still have shivers. Well done!
W0W. Brilliant– Rod Sterling in 50 words.
Sending to all my friends. Again, brilliant–