The children’s eyes, wide with wonder, reflected the glow of the performers’ costumes.
“Daddy, how. . .?”
“I don’t KNOW!” Irritated, Daddy flipped Erin’s hand away. “Just watch!”
Eli was more experienced. He knew how dangerous it was to bother Daddy. He leaned down and whispered in Erin’s ear, “It’s special cloth that can glow in the dark. They’re not on fire.”
“Oh.” Erin sighed, leaning against Eli for comfort. She gulped down a sob. “I wish Mommy was here.”
Hearing her, Daddy shook her by the shoulder. “Stop it! Right now! We’re here to have FUN!”
Just Writing! 
Well told. Good thing she has her brother; I suspect she’s going to need him a lot.
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I think so. Daddy’s not a pleasant man.
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Subtly rendered, Linda. I like it that you didn’t beat us over the head with it
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Thank you. That’s a wonderful compliment.
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Very troubling indeed and so well told…thankful there is hope for her with her brother by her side.
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Big brothers can be a big blessing 🙂
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It’s too sad that Daddy is so easily frustrated and impatient. What makes it really scary is that it’s dangerous to bother him. Fun will never be available in that kind of family
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True. But children are more resilient than we give them credit for, and I think the two kids are going to be just fine.
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It’s always tough on kids when families breakdown for whatever reason. I hope it’s not too late for Dad to make amends and change his ways.
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I hope so too, Iain. Thanks so much.
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There’s no fun like forced fun. This is heartbreaking. I get the feeling Daddy wasn’t so quick to anger while Mommy was around.
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I think daddy has always had a short fuse, perhaps made worse by his grief. Thanks so much for your comment 🙂
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Oh! That’s even worse. I can’t imagine mom willingly leaving the kids in the care of a dad with a short fuse.
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A dark story looms in the future.
But I gotta say, how many times I was subjected to “mandatory fun.”
Good one, Linda.
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Mandatory fun. Seems like an oxymoron, for sure. Thanks for reading and commenting, Bill.
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Someone should put the hose on Daddy.
I thought it was going to be a ‘don’t do this at home’ story. 😀
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Good idea, Tanille 🙂 Hosing daddy, that is!
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It should have been fun. I might have been if Mommy had been there. Sad.
.Here’s mine!
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Dear Linda,
Oh yeah, Daddy sounds like gangs of fun…NOT. Well written, evocative, if not infuriating piece.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle.
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Fire on stage, fire in the audience: hope in the end nobody gets burned. Well-told story, Linda!
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Thanks 🙂
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Daddy’s going to make sure they have fun even if it all ends in tears.
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Just so long as they don’t bother him.
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Children carry the pain in different ways and missing Mom hurts. You capture the moment of sadness very well, not sure if Dad’s outburst really helps.
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If it helps anything, it strengthens the bond between siblings.
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A sad tale tole well.
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Beautifully and painfully told, Linda. You have a beautiful heart for these people, Linda and for helping their voices be heard. My character this week could easily end up being one of your clients. There are too many of these people and somehow we need to reach them and help bind up their wounds and be Jesus’s hands and feet.
Best wishes & God Bless,
Rowena
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Thank you so much. A precious encouragement.
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Oh dear, he sounds terrifying, poor children and his wife. So sad that this is a reality for so many families still. Powerfully understated.
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Thank you. You’re right. So many hurting people.
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i think the old man is burned-out. needs to chill. 🙂
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🙂
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What a powerful story in a story – pretend drama on a stage contrasted with real drama off it. I really feel for this girl. I hope their mother is okay.
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Thanks for your kind comment 🙂
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Oh no. Loss hits everyone hard but he’s taking the wrong attitude. Poor little ones. Big brother is simply wonderful here
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