PHOTO PROMPT © The Reclining Gentleman
“Remember that time I picked you flowers? They were so pretty, just like you,” he said. “You beat me senseless and said I’d ruined your garden. I was only six, Momma. I didn’t know any better.”
He took a deep, calming breath. “Remember that time I got in a fight? It didn’t matter that I didn’t start it. You still burned me with your cigarette to teach me a lesson.”
“You were a terrible mother. You never told me you loved me or that you were proud.” He placed a hand on her tombstone. “But I still miss you, Momma.”
—
Written for Friday Fictioneers.
Click here to read stories from the other Fictioneers.
Adam Ickes 
February 10th, 2016 at 8:56 PM
That is very sad and well-rendered. Now get me out of this crappy mood you just put me in, why don’t ya?
February 11th, 2016 at 7:50 PM
I make no promises in this regard, but I’ll keep it in mind.
February 10th, 2016 at 9:07 PM
Oh how true, love can be irrational like that. Well written. And I’m with Perry — give us a cheery story next time to even us out, will ya? 😉
February 11th, 2016 at 7:51 PM
I don’t do cheery often, but occasionally the mood strikes me. Perhaps next week will be one of those times.
February 11th, 2016 at 2:22 AM
Sad, but you have captured that shame where all the child wants is love, instead receives abuse yet stays loyal and hopeful and somehow forgives.
February 11th, 2016 at 7:51 PM
Love is a strange and powerful thing, even when it probably shouldn’t be.
February 11th, 2016 at 3:16 AM
Oh he gets no respite. I just want to give him a hug.
February 11th, 2016 at 7:52 PM
I’m sure he would love that.
February 11th, 2016 at 5:53 AM
provocative and simple, well crafted!
February 11th, 2016 at 7:52 PM
Many thanks.
February 11th, 2016 at 8:42 AM
It’s hard to hate mum. no matter what has happened.
February 11th, 2016 at 7:53 PM
Well said.
February 11th, 2016 at 2:21 PM
Powerful!
DJ
February 11th, 2016 at 7:53 PM
Thanks, Danny.
February 11th, 2016 at 4:32 PM
The ending was very sad…to miss such an abusive mother is truly sad. Well written.
February 11th, 2016 at 7:56 PM
Sometimes we can’t choose who we love. Sometimes it’s the wrong people.
February 11th, 2016 at 6:20 PM
Very sad, but at least the narrator can say all those things out loud now and know that those days are over. Love is certainly a complicated thing.
February 11th, 2016 at 7:57 PM
Very complicated indeed. Thanks for reading.
February 11th, 2016 at 9:02 PM
Oof. This gets to me right. here. *points to heart*. A parent-child relationship is truly one of the most complicated relationships that exists, in my opinion. Great take on the photo prompt.
February 11th, 2016 at 10:33 PM
This is sad for so many reasons, Adam. Partially that she was a terrible mother and that she is dead, but also that he keeps loving her even when she was so terrible. But she was the only mother he ever had. Nice job.
February 12th, 2016 at 6:32 PM
This is so sad. I’ll never understand why some people have children. Poor son.
February 13th, 2016 at 5:23 AM
Dear Adam,
There’s a lot of backstory and layering in this one. Well done, but so sad.
Shalom,
Rochelle
February 14th, 2016 at 3:57 AM
He can forgive a lot. Cigarette burns! An interesting relationship here. Well told.
February 14th, 2016 at 11:47 PM
It is hard to totally lose the love for a mother, no matter what she did… This could have been my husband’s story.
February 15th, 2016 at 5:06 PM
I get that.
February 15th, 2016 at 6:10 PM
I can relate well to this story, Adam… I have a similar love-hate relationship with my deceased mother too… well constructed!
February 16th, 2016 at 10:02 AM
Sadly, that happens all too often. Perhaps the child is blamed for something they know nothing of. It’s heartrending to see children who still love the abusing parent because the need for love is so great. Good, well-written story as always, Adam. — Suzanne
February 16th, 2016 at 10:44 AM
Sadly this is the story for a lot of people today.