Welcome to The Blogging from A-Z Challenge April 2014! This year, I’m offering up a story – each one 100 words or fewer - for each letter of the alphabet.
Some are heartfelt, poignant, sweet. Others are…not.
I hope you enjoy them.
*****
Jordie grips the practice ball. A pitcher is
born.
THROWN A CURVE
Baseballs hurtle through the spring air, slamming home into
well-worn gloves.
Jordie longs to be part of the crowd at the fence: kids
showing off players’ autographs, fathers grinning, mothers taking pictures.
His mother scolds his father through her cell. “You were
supposed to take Jordie….”
Tears threaten. He ducks his head.
Someone taps his cap’s brim. He looks up.
The coach jerks a thumb back at his players. “There’s more
than one kind of family, kid.” He thumps a stained baseball into Jordie’s hand
then walks away.
*****
Coaches can be tough for sure! Enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeleteThat one pivotal moment that changes a life forever!
ReplyDeleteWise words from the coach. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteAww, I love this one. I hope Jordie grows up to win the Cy Young award. :)
ReplyDeleteSL, Dana, Julie - thank you for reading!
ReplyDeleteAlex - and sometimes you don't even know that's the pivotal moment until after the fact. Or, that you're the one creating that moment for someone else!
My husband and I both have been coaches, and there were always players that needed the team more than the team needed them. I could tell many bittersweet stories about those kids, many now grown to adults.
ReplyDeleteA significant moment in a young life - well written.
ReplyDeleteSophie
Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles - A to Z Ghosts
Fantasy Boys XXX - A to Z Drabblerotic
Susan - how great that you all were there for those kids!
ReplyDeleteSophie - thank you!
I'm really enjoying following your blog. I should have read this little flash before I wrote ideas around a baseball theme for B yesterday. :-)
ReplyDeleteSee you around the A to Z.
Deb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com
Sometimes it only takes one person to completely change the path of ones life! Great story.
ReplyDeleteNice!
ReplyDeleteNice one, Madeline. And congratulations on meeting your March W1S1 goals. Already a quarter of the way through 2014. Can't believe it.
ReplyDeleteAwe! There is more than one kind of family. If only Jordie could have had both.
ReplyDeleteDebi - that's so nice to hear! And this story was originally going to be for B. :)
ReplyDeleteDaidri, Jolie, Milo - thank you!
Charity - maybe he still can…. :)
Indeed there is. Nice one, Madeline!
ReplyDeleteAww. Sad but hopeful at the same time. Nice.
ReplyDeleteVery poignant little story!
ReplyDeleteNice. You got me with the last line. Everyone needs that someone in their life, eh?
ReplyDeleteCathy, Ilima, Rebecca, Crystal - thank you! I appreciate you reading and commenting. :)
ReplyDeleteMy son is in baseball (he's 7) and it's so very important to him that this little story brought tears to my eyes. Wonderfully done! :)
ReplyDeletePhoenix - I'm glad you enjoyed this one!
ReplyDeleteFlash fiction--I love it. Paints a situation the reader can pull together internally!
ReplyDeleteSusan - I love flash fiction, too. :)
ReplyDeleteWow! Just wow! Very impactful stuff, your flash fiction.
ReplyDeleteOh, yay! The blogging challenge and 100-word stories? And then you threw in baseball? I'm in Madeline Heaven. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love the way you tell a huge story in such a few words. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThat's an awesome story. Coach's can be so important. My son's had a few really good ones like that. And fyi: Mom and (usually Dad if he's not working) are always at his games. :) ) But my son can be quiet, and having a good coach can help draw him out.
ReplyDeleteI love these little stories that say so much in so little words. You're pretty good at them.
Sharon, Patricia, Suzi - thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed this story.
ReplyDeleteCathy - if I only I could've tied in the Braves for you somehow…. :)
Just found these stories and read A-D so far. I love, love them. Powerful punches you pack. Looking forward to more!
ReplyDeleteNine - thank you so much! I hope you enjoy the rest of the stories as well. :)
ReplyDeleteA moment of significance that will determine a young boy's destiny... powerful!
ReplyDeleteOh my god! This one made me tear up- loved it!
ReplyDelete