Adoptee
Since forever, they have been my family. For as long as I can remember I’ve always been their child, their sibling. We’ve always been together.
As I ran down the streets, my eyes burning with sensation, the memories surged within me.
The fun water gun battles by the lake every summer.
The silly yet severe fights over the last slice of pizza.
The heated disputes on what to watch every Friday movie night.
The traditional birthday cake attacks that end up with all faces covered in cream.
The cozy evenings of winter with cinnamon milk and family games.
The celebratory dinners with homemade chocolate cheesecake and berry juice after every good news.
The comforting hugs and goodnight kisses after every bad day.
Soon I found myself hiding under the tree in the park, crying my eyes out. The feelings of doubt ached in my heart. Was it ever real? The smiles. The cheers. The support. Was any of that love real?
I felt my reality crumble as my queries rage inside of me. Deep down, the misery was gushing out of my thoughts, threatening to drown me. The pain suffocated me, making me beg for air.
But then I heard him. He was calling my name from afar. As he neared my tree I saw the worry in his eyes. It’s then that my questions felt foolish. The gloom vanished from my heart leaving serenity and calm.
It was real.
The love was real.
We were real.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleWelcome, to Voice.Club, Afnan. Not sure if your “I’m nothing much” in your bio introduction was said for comical effect, but don’t self-efface. Let’s all be positive. Think I can hear my own children, groaning in the background with a resounding, “Mum!” They hate my unsolicited advice. Really enjoyed your flash fiction- the simple yet resonant sentences, exploration of emotions running through protagonist on the discovery, your detailed showing rather than telling.… Read more »
I like your colorful examples of all the experiences that bind a family together. The doubts that your protagonist has whether his adoptive family members’ signs of love are genuine or not, feel very real in your story. And so does the “proof” that convinces him that he really is loved and that his adoptive family is a real family. Great job!
Your protagonist’s doubt paid and showed off by the real experiences of real love that he / she experienced. I feel so happy for him / her. You portrayed every image and emotion in your story genuinely. Great job, Afnan.
Welcome to voice club, Afnan. Enjoy. And keep on writing.
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