This is powerful writing, K.C. You don't need to have lived it to empathize with the situation. My take-away is that Rosa is wise beyond her years and will serve as a gently guiding mentor to her sisters. At least I hope so.
Unfortunately, her mother’s behavior casts Rosa into the role of an adult, a tough one to fill for a twelve-year-old. Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Jim, and for restacking. I appreciate your support.
I've been here three times. The new papi always "sucks up" in the beginning. One did give gifts to the five siblings. So I suspect this flash fiction is not fiction for many people.
This is one of the saddest stories I have ever read. God bless the Rosa's of the world, who understand what they must do even though they do not fully understand the situation. Children instinctively do what they have to do to survive. You broke my heart here in only seven paragraphs. Masterful writing, KC.
Thank you for your generous appraisal of my writing and for restacking The Welcoming Committee. I appreciate your support. Your comment is right on target. The Rosa's of the world are brave, strong, loving, and tragic.
I grew up in a lower-middle-class neighborhood. The houses were all similar in size (small ranch homes), and because we were all in the same basic income bracket, it felt normal. However, as I spent time with other kids in their homes, it became clear that not all parents were the same.
The Cleavers crack was meant to be humorous, but I did have a secure, loving, and very supportive family while growing up. This piece was inspired by a photograph from a magazine. An instructor in a writing workshop passed out photos taken from magazines and had us write a story about them. The photographer should get the credit for my empathy.
This is powerful writing, K.C. You don't need to have lived it to empathize with the situation. My take-away is that Rosa is wise beyond her years and will serve as a gently guiding mentor to her sisters. At least I hope so.
Unfortunately, her mother’s behavior casts Rosa into the role of an adult, a tough one to fill for a twelve-year-old. Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Jim, and for restacking. I appreciate your support.
I've been here three times. The new papi always "sucks up" in the beginning. One did give gifts to the five siblings. So I suspect this flash fiction is not fiction for many people.
Wow, that is sad. I was the new papi to my second wife’s daughter. We’ve been married for forty-two years. Thanks for reading and commenting.
This is one of the saddest stories I have ever read. God bless the Rosa's of the world, who understand what they must do even though they do not fully understand the situation. Children instinctively do what they have to do to survive. You broke my heart here in only seven paragraphs. Masterful writing, KC.
Thank you for your generous appraisal of my writing and for restacking The Welcoming Committee. I appreciate your support. Your comment is right on target. The Rosa's of the world are brave, strong, loving, and tragic.
How different life can be from one family to the next. Well done, K.C.
Thanks for the comment, Mark. Yes, when I was a kid, I thought all families were like my family, or at least like the Cleavers.
I grew up in a lower-middle-class neighborhood. The houses were all similar in size (small ranch homes), and because we were all in the same basic income bracket, it felt normal. However, as I spent time with other kids in their homes, it became clear that not all parents were the same.
True.
If your family were more like the Cleaver's, then it even more amazing that you could put yourself in Rosa's huaraches and create this piece.
The Cleavers crack was meant to be humorous, but I did have a secure, loving, and very supportive family while growing up. This piece was inspired by a photograph from a magazine. An instructor in a writing workshop passed out photos taken from magazines and had us write a story about them. The photographer should get the credit for my empathy.
Photos are powerful prompts. The stories sometimes just tell themselves. Ninety percent of my stories arise from found photos..
Exactly.