Johnny sometimes wished he’d never kicked the hornet’s nest: he defended the new kid against popular opinion.
The bullies swarmed Johnny—their buzzing escalated to violence in a heartbeat. They pelted him with rocks, then slammed him into the ground, kicking him.
Johnny’s bruises faded, but the memory lingered forever.
Bullying makes my blood boil. I experienced it myself and don't remember any of us coming to each other's defense. Just plain scared. You have described it perfectly, Justin.
Oh man, Justin! You nailed it! Bullies are the bane of the “different” kids. I had braces, headgear, and I was pigeon-toed, and I cried easily….need I say more? I grew up to be fine, and always the friend of the picked on.
We were never allowed to bully others, and I taught my children the same. It starts in the home, I believe. Now I just feel sorry for the ones who had that mean spirit within. They were not happy kids.
Early birds flew the coupe de ville after graduation; nest too small. Feathers preened, summer loons croon chorus songs. Nothing to loose. Flights, foolish flaunts, hastily made. Learned nothing. Consequences misconstrued. Gambled, nests spread wide; eggs laid down fluff, cast wings, empty-nest(s); life lingers, long shadows, wind blows...
Her three boys, Samuel, Christopher, and Joseph were definitely out of the nest but were they grown?
She wondered that as she hung the phone up with Samuel. He was living in Ohio, working for a big corporate company in the warehouse, only because he had to work to live.
The news finally reached him, alone in that foxhole, everybody around him, dead. Dragging himself out, he stood erect, breathing in the acrid smoke slowly dissipating. Shouldering his emptied rifle, he started walking without direction across the muddy battlefield. The cannons were silent. He didn't even hear that last bullet.
I wanted to go from a different angle. Still a young man far away from home. What happened to him happens to so many fledglings in so many different ways.
Eighteen months since graduation. Barely earning enough for the room in her cousin's condo. Extreme fun, no responsibilities except bartending shifts at two Chelsea bars. As good as a party, plus you went home with handfuls of cash.
Never saw the end coming, but it was like a head-on collision...
Decision time loomed for Smitty as his counsellor handed him his university options. He studied them carefully. The schools were offering scholarships that made his decision easier.
“It's time to leave the nest,” he informed his parents of his decision.
To Intervene, fiction
Johnny sometimes wished he’d never kicked the hornet’s nest: he defended the new kid against popular opinion.
The bullies swarmed Johnny—their buzzing escalated to violence in a heartbeat. They pelted him with rocks, then slammed him into the ground, kicking him.
Johnny’s bruises faded, but the memory lingered forever.
Bullying makes my blood boil. I experienced it myself and don't remember any of us coming to each other's defense. Just plain scared. You have described it perfectly, Justin.
Same here, Sharron, and I don’t think many people do stand up. Thank you so much for reading!
Oh man, Justin! You nailed it! Bullies are the bane of the “different” kids. I had braces, headgear, and I was pigeon-toed, and I cried easily….need I say more? I grew up to be fine, and always the friend of the picked on.
Bullying is the worst, and it can crush kids’ spirit. Not enough people stand up to it. Thanks so much for reading, Sharon!
We were never allowed to bully others, and I taught my children the same. It starts in the home, I believe. Now I just feel sorry for the ones who had that mean spirit within. They were not happy kids.
I couldn’t agree more with you on all fronts, Sharon.
(Flew the Coop, Fiction)
Early birds flew the coupe de ville after graduation; nest too small. Feathers preened, summer loons croon chorus songs. Nothing to loose. Flights, foolish flaunts, hastily made. Learned nothing. Consequences misconstrued. Gambled, nests spread wide; eggs laid down fluff, cast wings, empty-nest(s); life lingers, long shadows, wind blows...
This is excellent, Richard! And all very true.
could be. Birds of a feather flock together.
This is delightful, Richard. "flew the coupe de ville", "summer loons" "Learned nothing". You got that exactly right.
Birds the word. Never written down. Practice doesn't always make it perfect.
Rule the Roost/Fiction
Mick was a bad egg. Come his 18th, the folks demanded his key.
Time to leave the nest, they said.
Then noticed their bags packed at the foot of the stairs.
“Agree it’s time to spread my wings,” said Mick, knife in hand. “Let’s discuss who goes and who stays.”
Whoa! What a great twist, Scott. I love how much ground you cover here, too. Great story!
Thx. And thx as always for doing this. And for your own typically soulful offering.
Oh, Jesus!
Ha, there were no grounds rules specified 😊
👍🏻😬
Wow, I should have expected that twist!
Gotta zag sometimes !
WHEELS fiction ( revised )
My little boy raced Hot Wheels across his blankets, up and over our bedtime knees. “Vrooom!”
He’ll have cars when he’s grown, I imagined.
Now ... the vintage Mustang and classic Ranchero stand proud in his driveway.
And I remember his childhood “pajama-driving” with such longing.
Where have the years gone?
Just lovely, Sharron. The years continue to race on by, don’t they?
"The only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys."
I see the truth of this all the time.
But as men, we call them 'investments'.
Empty the Nest-free verse
I was safer there.
Secure.
But we are destined
To make our own
Nest.
To remain behind,
Timid,
Is a false security
That stunts our
Growth.
I must discover
The reality that is
Me.
I must seek it
It.
It cannot be provided,
Cannot be made by
Others.
My life.
We all must choose our own paths. Love the sentiment here, RI! Thanks for sharing.
wow~! perfect reflection
Not Grown -Creative Non-fiction
Her three boys, Samuel, Christopher, and Joseph were definitely out of the nest but were they grown?
She wondered that as she hung the phone up with Samuel. He was living in Ohio, working for a big corporate company in the warehouse, only because he had to work to live.
I love how you pose the question in this one, Kim. It makes you pause and contemplate their situation.
Thank you, Justin. I pull out ne ut every once in a while. 😉
Armistice
The news finally reached him, alone in that foxhole, everybody around him, dead. Dragging himself out, he stood erect, breathing in the acrid smoke slowly dissipating. Shouldering his emptied rifle, he started walking without direction across the muddy battlefield. The cannons were silent. He didn't even hear that last bullet.
Powerful and heart wrenching, Sue!
I wanted to go from a different angle. Still a young man far away from home. What happened to him happens to so many fledglings in so many different ways.
I love the angle and everything about your story, Sue. It’s all too true!
A tragic tale, Sue.
And Back again (Fiction)
Eighteen months since graduation. Barely earning enough for the room in her cousin's condo. Extreme fun, no responsibilities except bartending shifts at two Chelsea bars. As good as a party, plus you went home with handfuls of cash.
Never saw the end coming, but it was like a head-on collision...
Love this, Cynthia, especially the ambiguity of that final line. It gives space for readers’ own interpretation. Thanks so much for sharing!
thank you...I feel an overwhelming compulsion to keep writing...something I have been telling myself I should do again... for decades! (we hall see!)
I hope you choose to do so! 😊
I send out these fifty-word story prompts every other week, so it would be great to see you pop by again.
Decision Time
Decision time loomed for Smitty as his counsellor handed him his university options. He studied them carefully. The schools were offering scholarships that made his decision easier.
“It's time to leave the nest,” he informed his parents of his decision.
“So soon!” asked his mother.
“At last,” said his father.
Ha, I like their reactions! Very nicely written and set up, Bill!
Thanks..I think I will try!