Friday, October 23, 2009

Same Old -- #fridayflash

*****

When Amanda was a baby, Carrie yearned for routine, for knowing when to wake and when to sleep. In the chaos of new motherhood, she longed for a slot to cook dinner, to exercise, to breathe, to make love.

The routine came all too soon, the daily activities that varied little from week to week: Mondays, the park; Tuesday, play at home; Wednesday, story hour; Thursday, lunch at Grandma’s; Friday, playdate. And in each of those days, their own aching subroutines, the three meals a day with the handful of tolerated menus, the same three movies, two books, one cry.

Mommy.

She returned: to her friends, her hobbies, her work, to some semblance of the girl she’d been before Amanda, but always with the understanding that everything must fit, no matter how large and unwieldy, inside the tight buckets of routine—a time to play blocks, a time to read books, and even a tiny golden sliver to remember her freedom.

*****

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story appears in the 30 Days, 30 Writes 2009 chapbook, to be released at the end of October. The chapbook features more stories by Greta Igl, as well as stories by Jane Banning, Stephen Book and JC Towler. Please check the 30 Days, 30 Writes blog for more details and an invitation to participate in next year's writing challenge.

8 comments:

Stephen said...

Oh yeah, there were days when I had freedom. Thanks for reminding me. :-(

J. M. Strother said...

I know this routine, perhaps not as well as a woman, but I do know it. Really packs a punch in just six sentences.

Your project is a wonderful idea. I wish you all the success in the world.
~jon

Laura Eno said...

I have freedom once again. :) Powerful piece in 6 sentences.

Marisa Birns said...

I have freedom, and it is wonderful!

Well told!

Linda said...

So true, so true... lots of emotion packed into six sentences. Looking forward to reading the anthology. Peace, Linda

Clive Martyn said...

Are we ever free? Beautifully done.

Jodi MacArthur said...

I love the hourglass effect you use to write this and speaks so much truth. The honesty in your writing just shines. Yes, you deserve that gold star.

Very interested in your antho. I will def be checking back when it comes out.

mazzz_in_Leeds said...

routines are terrifying!
Nicely done :)