On my sixteenth birthday, Mum – her eyes wide and wild – hands me a parrotfish.
Thanks, I mutter.
There’ll be no party, no cake. Just like there’s no money for her meds.
All day I watch it swim back and forth, eyes dull, the sun occasionally catching its bright toxic stripes.
Laura Besley is the author of (Un)Natural Elements, 100neHundred, and The Almost Mothers. She is also an editor for Flash Fiction Magazine. Having lived in the Netherlands, Germany and Hong Kong, she now lives in land-locked central England and misses the sea. She tweets at @laurabesley.
Laura, your story truly touched me.
Thank you,
Sharon
Thank you, Sharon.
Sad way to learn priorities…
Yes, definitely.
So many untold stories hidden in the depths of this one. Masterful. Thank you.
Thank you, Amanda.