Another one didn’t make it home.
I was one of the little ones. We were invisible.
The girls cooked.
Grandpa, he had his toolbox.

With his steely blue eyes it only took one glance, and a nod. First, the older ones went up to Mom’s room and took apart the cradle. Grandpa stayed silent. If the boys fought however, he’d slam the toolbox down loudly. He made his point.

They carried the pieces into the barn, hiding it under an old quilt. Mother came home the next week. “Where’s my cradle?!” she asked, distraught.
Then I’d hear him cry.

    0 0 votes
    Post Rating
    33 Comments
    Oldest
    Newest Most Voted
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments
    Voice-Team
    Voice-Team(@voice-team)
    Admin
    1 year ago

    This caught our attention from the first line, the sadness of one that “didn’t make it home”. It deserved a second reading in order to observe all the nuances. Life and loss as seen through the eyes of a child. The entire piece is a study in love.  

    Sandra James
    Sandra James(@sandra-james)
    1 year ago

    You have really captured the sad impact of loss on everyone, Melissa. I read it several times and each time it seemed to say more. And, each time I felt the loss as though I was there. Very well done!

    Linda Rock
    Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
    1 year ago

    An emotional story, Melissa, with each read invoking more. That last line is a heartbreaker. I love how you never give too much away, allowing the reader to delve deeper. What a talent you have.

    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    1 year ago

    Hi Melissa, please excuse my ignorance, is Grandpa taking apart the cradle again because the mother has had another miscarriage? Your writing is so subtle that I want to make sure I’m understanding it correctly. It is a very touching piece, regardless.

    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    Reply to  Melissa Taggart
    1 year ago

    After posting my question, I saw you reply to Sandra. My Grandma also suffered a stillbirth and a couple of miscarriages before finally getting the boy she so wanted—they already had my mum and aunt. They were part of a mining community and medical care wasn’t the greatest. I think that generation went through a lot!

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    1 year ago

    Hello, Melissa. Your story is very moving. You have well expressed every grief of your protagonist at the loss of a loved one in life. Well done.

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    Reply to  Melissa Taggart
    1 year ago

    You are always welcome, Melissa.

    Emily O'Leary
    Emily O'Leary(@emily-oleary)
    1 year ago

    Such a heartbreaking tale that’s all too familiar for so many. Beautifully written Melissa, you really captured the emotion with your words.

    Fuji
    Fuji(@fuji)
    1 year ago

    What a well-written story, Melissa. Subtle but powerful, very moving. Well done.

    Margarida Brei
    Margarida Brei(@margarida-brei)
    1 year ago

    A moving story of loss with a powerful last sentence, Melissa.

    Christer Norrlof
    Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
    1 year ago

    I love the way you have described this family and its terrible fate, Melissa. With so few words you make the people and the situation alive. I can sense the respect the children had for their strict father, but in a masterful way, you also show us that he had a soft and good heart. Also: what a great and unique idea to let the toolbox take the central place in this… Read more »

    Heather Chrzanowski
    Heather Chrzanowski(@heather-chrzanowski)
    1 year ago

    Melissa, you always do such an incredible job capturing emotion and atmosphere in your writing. I love reading your work.

    Linda Rock
    Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
    1 year ago

    Congratulations Melissa! I love your story and have read it many times.

    Christer Norrlof
    Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
    1 year ago

    Congratulations, Melissa, to your runner-up accomplishment. Well deserved!

    Susan Dawson
    Susan Dawson(@susan-dawson)
    1 year ago

    Very poignant and a well deserved win

    Sandra James
    Sandra James(@sandra-james)
    1 year ago

    Well done, Melissa! A very special story  ? 

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    1 year ago

    Congratulations, Melissa. So happy for you.

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    Reply to  Melissa Taggart
    1 year ago

    You’re welcome, Melissa.

    Recent Comments

    33
    0
    Selected Authors may submit comments (5 Credits)x
    ()
    x
    Scroll to Top

    Sharing a Post

    Why do my friends need to SignIn to read the post I shared?

    Actually, this is a voting security feature. During public voting, only club members can read posts submitted for that contest. Since anyone reading the story is able to vote (click the Like button), we reserve these capabilities to members who SignIn. Before we implemented this security feature, people were voting multiple times and making the public voting process unfair and out of balance. To fix this, our staff finally decided to allow only members who SignIn to read the stories. Membership is free and easy, and ensures our club is safe, secure, and family-friendly!