Thursday, April 3, 2014

C is for . . . THROWN A CURVE

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.

*****

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.

Jordie grips the practice ball. A pitcher is born. 

*****

32 comments:

  1. Coaches can be tough for sure! Enjoyed your post.

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  2. That one pivotal moment that changes a life forever!

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  3. Wise words from the coach. Nice job!

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  4. Aww, I love this one. I hope Jordie grows up to win the Cy Young award. :)

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  5. SL, Dana, Julie - thank you for reading!

    Alex - 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!

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  6. 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.

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  7. A significant moment in a young life - well written.
    Sophie
    Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles - A to Z Ghosts
    Fantasy Boys XXX - A to Z Drabblerotic

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  8. Susan - how great that you all were there for those kids!

    Sophie - thank you!

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  9. 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. :-)
    See you around the A to Z.
    Deb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com

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  10. Sometimes it only takes one person to completely change the path of ones life! Great story.

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  11. Nice one, Madeline. And congratulations on meeting your March W1S1 goals. Already a quarter of the way through 2014. Can't believe it.

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  12. Awe! There is more than one kind of family. If only Jordie could have had both.

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  13. Debi - that's so nice to hear! And this story was originally going to be for B. :)

    Daidri, Jolie, Milo - thank you!

    Charity - maybe he still can…. :)

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  14. Aww. Sad but hopeful at the same time. Nice.

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  15. Nice. You got me with the last line. Everyone needs that someone in their life, eh?

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  16. Cathy, Ilima, Rebecca, Crystal - thank you! I appreciate you reading and commenting. :)

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  17. My 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! :)

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  18. Flash fiction--I love it. Paints a situation the reader can pull together internally!

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  19. Wow! Just wow! Very impactful stuff, your flash fiction.

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  20. Oh, yay! The blogging challenge and 100-word stories? And then you threw in baseball? I'm in Madeline Heaven. :-)

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  21. I love the way you tell a huge story in such a few words. Well done.

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  22. That'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.

    I love these little stories that say so much in so little words. You're pretty good at them.

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  23. Sharon, Patricia, Suzi - thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed this story.

    Cathy - if I only I could've tied in the Braves for you somehow…. :)

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  24. Just found these stories and read A-D so far. I love, love them. Powerful punches you pack. Looking forward to more!

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  25. Nine - thank you so much! I hope you enjoy the rest of the stories as well. :)

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  26. A moment of significance that will determine a young boy's destiny... powerful!

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  27. Oh my god! This one made me tear up- loved it!

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