Crushed

Still dizzy from the merry-go-round, he stumbled over to the grassy area of the park, staring at the ground to force his head to stop spinning. Once his eyes focused, he spotted two little white puffs in the midst of the sand and patchy grass.

He strolled over to get a closer look. A pair of tiny white flowers stuck out from the ground.

He looked back in the direction where his mother sat, scowling at nothing in particular. He wasn't sure what he had done to make her mad this time, but it didn't take much these days--dribbling Kool-aid on his t-shirt, leaving the cap off the toothpaste, laughing too loudly while watching cartoons, sticking his tongue out at his little sister all triggered her.

All he knew is she proclaimed they were going to the park for a while because she couldn't take one more minute being cooped up in the house with two brats pestering her every second of the day. It was a welcome reprieve from her normal reaction to snatch him up and shake him so hard his teeth rattled or start swinging at him, open-hand slaps turning to close-fist punches until she was too tired to continue. 

He looked back at the flowers.  They were so pretty, and she definitely needed some cheering up. He remembered once his dad brought home flowers and how happy it made her.  Now it was his turn to make her smile. 

He carefully picked the flowers out of the ground and held them gingerly as he bounced over to his mom, holding out her gift. 

"Mommy, mommy! I brought you flowers!" he stood expectedly, waiting for the smile, the thank you, the hug or maybe even a peck on the cheek.

She looked up slowly, eyeing the buds.

"These are just weeds," she snapped as she snatched them from his pudgy little hands and unceremoniously tossed them on the sidewalk. The look of disdain on her face made him cower, not sure what would come next.

She called for his sister, "Kaley, get off the swings! We are leaving."

"Let's go," she hissed at him as she grabbed his arm and started walking towards the car.

He looked back at the flowers--the worthless weeds--and thought about going back for them, but he knew he couldn't escape his mother's grip.  Just then, Kaley came skipping along the sidewalk, not a care in the world, and unknowingly smashed them as her foot landed on the hot concrete. 

Nooooo, Kaley! he silently screamed. He wanted to cry but knew that would just invite more anger from his mom. 

It was too late anyway. They were crushed. Just like his spirit. 


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