It was a big shopping centre and his tired legs struggled to keep up. Joel hoped his parents might want a drink so he could rest, but he knew better than to ask. They were already angry. He didn’t think that he had upset them, but it was often hard to tell.
The little gold car was going; the boy driving was laughing with his mum and dad. Joel wondered how you got brave enough to ask for a ride, or how good you needed to be to have your parents smile at you.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleOh this is heartbreaking Mary. I just wanted to reach into your story and give little Joel a big hug. Two innocent little boys whose lives are so different. Life can be so cruel. So much said in so few words. Really well done.
Thank you Linda for your kind comment.
Another heartbreaking tale Mary, difficulty in the adults relationship is bad enough, but when children are involved, the situation is so much worse. Nicely written.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThanks Carrie for your kind comment.
How sad. It is very heartbreaking. Sometimes, we parents are cruel to our children unintentionally and make them wonder why.
Thank you for your comments Lotchie.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleYou are most welcome. I love reading here. Hope to read more from you.
I agree with everything that Carrie has said Mary. When Love is missing, everything is missing, well portrayed in your story Mary.
Thanks Eric.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleYou have portrayed the contrasting situations for two boys in a heartrending but very true way. Children’s situations are so different, and love or not love is the basic difference. Great job!
Thank you Christer for your kind comments.
Beautifully written, Mary – sensitive and caring. My heart goes out to little Joel and also to his parents who are missing the joy of loving a child. Is the “little gold car” a feature of shopping centers in Australia? Here in America, we used to have electronic hobby horses that bucked and kicked in many grocery stores, and huge play centers at many McDonalds locations, but I haven’t seen anything like… Read more »
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you so much. There are all sorts of cars and trucks in shopping centres in Australia where children can go for a ride. The choice of colour was to fit the theme.
The love and acceptance of a parent make the environment children grow up in safe, and they help the kids have the courage and confidence to dream. That’s why it’s so heartbreaking to see the different childhood of the two kids. It makes us wish we could hug the breath out of Joel and give him the love he needs. Another well-written story, Mary!
Thank you for your welcome comments.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleYou’re very welcome, Mary.