I have been absent, and missing my Friday Fictioneer friends! However, it has been a very hectic few weeks: traveling to NYC, visiting friends and family on Cape Cod and in Boston and then getting to Israel. It’s VERY hot in Tel Aviv, and we are still waiting for a baby. I reassure my daughter that babies come when they’re good and ready… preparation for all the years when our kids determine so many other things, but she is tired of waiting. Alas. So I saw this beautiful prompt and have grabbed a few minutes to write. Thank goodness the inspiration came instantly.
Friday Fictioneers is a wonderfully eclectic group of writers from all over the world, who write a story, 100 words or less, in response to a weekly prompt. Please visit Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ blog Addicted to Purple, to learn more. Join us or just enjoy the other stories! As always I welcome honest, constructive feedback is welcome. Please leave a comment.
© G. L. MacMillan
Only This Golden Moment Matters
As he swirls the amber liquid in the glass, Gerry’s thoughts wander.
He hasn’t seen his ex-wife and kids in three years. There was a time when that would have mattered.
His daughter is getting married, he heard, but Gerry knows she won’t ask him to walk her down the aisle. His son has joined the marines; he salutes others, not his father. Any love that Mary Alice once felt for him is dead, like their marriage.
It all mattered once. Not now. This golden glass, this buzz, the warm feeling in his legs–– that’s all that matters now.
(99 words)
*dedicated to all of the families who struggle with addiction, alcoholism, and loss.
* * *
Throw me a morsel; Help Me Reach My Goals! I’d love to see the Tales From the Motherland Facebook page reach 800 likes in 2015. Have you stopped by to spread some fairy dust? Follow me on Twitter, where I’m forced to be brief. Most importantly, if you like a post I’ve written, hit Like and leave a comment. I love to hear what readers think. Honest, positive or constructive feedback is always welcome. Click Follow; you’ll get each new post delivered by email, with no spam. If you see ads on this page, please let me know. They shouldn’t be there. ©2014 Please note, that all content and images on this site are copyrighted to Dawn Quyle Landau and Tales From the Motherland, unless specifically noted otherwise. If you want to share my work, please give proper credit. Plagiarism sucks.
TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
Really well told, thanks for sharing it with us.
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Why thank you for taking the time Señor Bink; it’s much appreciated!
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It’s so sad when priorities shift this way. Well told story of an all-too-common abandonment.
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Thanks so much Melanie. Unfortunately that is all too true, for so many. I appreciate your feedback.
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Good writing, no surprise! Leaves me wanting more!
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Thanks Heidi! Hope all is calming down for you… You’ve been in my thoughts. xox
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Many, many people turn to the bottle for comfort when in pain or if there is loss.
You’ve portrayed the addiction of alcohol very well. I agree with ‘mamheid’ it leaves me longing to know more, DQL. Great story …!!! ______ Isadora 😎
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Thanks Isadora! I really appreciate your kind words, and effort. It’s nice to be back with my peeps! 😉
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Really touching.
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Thanks so much Louise.
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What a sad tale! Nice portrayal of an alcoholic.
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Thanks a lot. It feels good to dig in and write some flash fiction again!
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Dear Dawn, Such a true story. Alcohol can ruin family unity. So true! Nan
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Yes, indeed! I don’t think any of us avoid this one… thanks for your feedback, Nan.
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I thought sure it would be the apothecary, the pregnant woman having drunk every drop of the elixirs, from garlic to lavender and anise, just to make the baby arrive! Ha! Soon enough. Hope you’re journaling every minute of this glorious in-between. (Great post, too BTW.)
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I am not journaling enough, Jen! Too busy trying to stay cool, trying to keep my girl relaxed and fighting old age and jet lag! Thanks for taking the time. xox
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Very poignant! I hope the baby comes soon!
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Thanks Joy! From your mouth to… 😉
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A sad tale too often reenacted. Well told, Stay as cool as you can! Alicia
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Thanks Alicia. THAT is a very hard task! However, we’re making every effort to stay inside or limit our midday heat exposure! Such a beautiful place; that’s hard to do!
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Dear Dawn,
While I feel for the father in your story I can’t help thinking there’s ‘you reap what you sow’ factor.
Brachot as you await the new little one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much, Rochelle. I have a lot of mixed feelings on the subject, but this character wasn’t intended to be a sympathetic one. No doubt, many readers would have differing take aways–– it’s such a personal issue. I always appreciate your feedback; thanks!
And yes… the waiting… xox
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So sad but so well-written. I’m glad you found inspiration and the time to post this.
Take care!
Love and hugs for you, the soon-to-be-momma, and baby too,
MG
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Thanks so much MG; your feedback is so kind!We try to get out and do something each day, but with the heat and discomfort (for my girl), time is something I can steal right now. 😉
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Addiction in some form has touched us all. It’s a fight until the end, or a surrender and all is lost.
Well done!
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Thanks so much for your time and your thoughtful feedback, Yolanda; it’s much appreciated! And welcome to Tales From the Motherland; I’m glad you stopped by!
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Yes, I have known people with priorities like this. I find it so hard to understand.
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It is hard… but then I try to remember that we all walk a different path. It’s a tough one for sure, Dawn. Thanks for your feedback!
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Beautifully and dispassionately narrated. Well done, and hope all goes well.
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Thanks Sandra. I think I’ve spewed enough passion recently; it was time for something else. 😉
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I think we all know a Gerry or two. It’s sad when alcohol or something else comes between a man (or woman) and their family.
On a happier note, looking forward to seeing a photo of the new grand baby.
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Thanks Russell! No doubt, the waiting has had me wanting a drink… but it’s a dry house. For now. 😉
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Powerful stuff, Dawn, and I don’t mean the whisky.
Superb snapshot of a lost life.
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Thanks so much Ceayr! I appreciate your very kind feedback. Makes my day. 🙂
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The summer my son was born my dad came to visit. It was hot and I was miserable. My dad constantly asked, “When are you gonna have this baby?” He stayed as long as he could, but work wouldn’t wait, and he left, The next day I went into labor. All these years later I remember it as if it were yesterday. All the best to you and your family for a safe and speedy delivery!
Your story hits home for many people, I’m sure. It certainly does for me. Giving up is too often an option for people we love, and it is as hard to be on either side of the struggle.
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True, true and more true, Stephanie. It’s a hard road for all involved! A secret: I’m at the hospital now… and labor has begun. Now, we wait. 😉 Thanks for sharing your story. xox
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A very sad tale, and well told. Perceptions of what matters can easily become skewed by events or by illness. Rectifying it is not so easy
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Truer words… you are dead on with your observation Reclining Gentelman… thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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Addiction and the devil within. How many families carry that burden?
Good piece.
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Thanks Mick. That is certainly true! Far too many, I fear.
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Such a sad story, and so true. Addiction is such a vicious circle. Good luck with your daughter’s baby!
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Thanks so much! We are waiting now… no vicious circles here, but they are so many places.
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A sad story unfortunately too often true. Nicely done.
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Thanks so much Subroto!
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Really sad, Dawn. There was alcoholism among some of my relatives (not my parents) and I know some of the problems it can cause. Well written as always.
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Thanks so much Suzanne. You are always so thoughtful in your comments.
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Nice article!
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Thanks!
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