Rob Kitchin's Blog, page 4
June 12, 2022
Only takes once to destroy trust
‘What you mean she’s gone?’
‘She moved out yesterday. We packed everything into a van; then she left.’
‘Where’d she go?’
‘I’ve no idea.’
‘You expect me to believe that? You’re her best friend.’
‘You can believe what you like, but she said if I didn’t know, I couldn’t say.’
‘What about a forwarding address?’
‘Her mother.’
‘I don’t believe this.’
‘I didn’t think you’d hit her.’
‘I … it was only once. I was drunk. I said I was sorry.’
‘It only takes once to destroy trust. And it can never be fully repaired.’
‘So that’s it?’
‘That’s it.’
A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.
June 5, 2022
In the shadows
Paul had drunk too much. The party had spilled out of the house into the garden, small groups sitting on the grass, music drifting through patio doors. He’d retreated into the shadows, leaning against a tree trunk. Somehow, the longer a party progressed the more alone and out of place he felt.
‘It must be nice …’
Paul startled.
‘to be a party person.’
The woman was further into the shadows.
‘I …’
‘Me too.’
They stood in silence for a few minutes.
‘Sarah.’
‘Paul.’
It was half-an-hour before Sarah said, ‘I …’
‘Yes.’
They crept out of the shadows.
A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.
May 29, 2022
Your room's as you left it
Rocco stood in the doorway. ‘It’s you.’
‘It’s me,’ Ellie replied.
‘She’s got a new man.’
‘I guess so.’
‘She didn’t even introduce you?’
‘She just left a note. Go to Uncle Rocco’s.’
‘That was it?’
‘She left a fifty euro note.’
‘You better come in.’
Rocco widened the gap.
‘Your room’s as you left it.’
‘Thanks.’
‘Who is it?’ a male voice shouted from upstairs.
‘Ellie.’
‘Welcome back, dear.’
She padded up the stairs, Rocco trailing behind.
‘Maybe we should just adopt her.’
‘Would two fathers be better than one hopeless mother?’
‘Do I have to choose?’ Ellie asked.
A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.
May 22, 2022
Not this again
‘You’re 34, Callie. You need to think about your future.’
‘Not this again.’
‘You should be married. A child on the way.’
‘My job isn’t to provide you with grandchildren.’
‘I’m thinking of you, not me.’
‘I don’t need a husband and a kid to be happy.’
‘But …’
‘There’s no but. I’m leaving.’
‘But you’ve only just got here!’
‘I’m not spending the weekend being nagged. Bye, dad.’
‘Bye, love.’
The front door rattled in its frame.
‘Why didn’t you stop her?’
‘I warned you.’
‘I just …’
‘Then stop interfering. Soon, she won’t talk to you at all.’
A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.
May 15, 2022
Sister's jealousy
‘I’m not having an affair.’
‘Cathy says differently. She knows what’s going on.’
‘She’s lying, Gina. Your sister’s prepared to wreck our marriage because she’s in love with Lonny, who’s in love with Amy, and she wants me to get rid of her.’
‘I want her gone too.’
‘I’m not wrecking Amy’s career for your sister’s fantasy.’
‘It’s for our marriage.’
‘There’s nothing wrong with our marriage.’
‘She’s trying to …’
‘No, she’s not. If our marriage is in danger it’s because of your sister and you.’
‘You’re picking her over me?’
‘No. You’re picking your sister’s jealously over me.’
A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.
May 8, 2022
Perfect synergy
Ciara paused for breath after rattling through the introductions.
‘And you two really are best friends?’ Alan asked Hannah, who nodded in response.
‘Two peas in a pod,’ Ciara said, cheerfully.
‘A chatterbox and a …’
‘Since secondary school!’
‘But you’re polar opposites!’
‘She always says that I’m all the friends she could have had rolled into one.’
‘Always? I think I’m yet to hear a single word.’
‘We’re balanced – introvert, extrovert.’
‘Some might say, mismatched.’
Hannah waggled a finger.
‘And you’ll lead the design review?’
‘She’s introspection and ideas, I make sure it happens.’
‘And does it?’
‘Perfect synergy.’
A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.
May 1, 2022
Something you do
‘What are you doing here, Darren?’
‘I’ve come home.’
‘This isn’t your home.’
‘I’m still you’re husband, aren’t I, Sal.’
‘Only because we couldn’t find you to finalise the divorce. You’ve been gone four years.’
‘And now I’m back.’
‘No, you’re not. You need to leave.’
‘And what about the kids?’
‘What about them?’
‘I’m their father.’
‘That’s something you do, Darren. Daily. Not just genes. You’re no father to them.’
‘Don’t be like, Sal. We make a good team.’
‘No, we don’t. Give me your key and leave.’
‘It’s my house.’
‘It’s a home and you don’t belong here.’
A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.
April 23, 2022
Riding the bus
‘I’m 48. I’ve no job, no money, no partner, and soon no home. I’ve two teenage kids who eat a fridge of food every day. I just don’t know what to do any more.’
‘I hear you, I do.’
‘I never thought my life would turn out this way.’
‘None of us do.’
‘And now I can’t see a life.’
‘Uh-huh.’
‘Everything is just crowded in on top of me. You know?’
‘I do.’
‘What do you think I should do?’
‘I ride the bus all day.’
‘Does that work?’
‘Better than walking the streets.’
‘I’ll keep that in mind.’
A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.
April 17, 2022
She's not my mother
Calum breathed in slowly, replaying the conversation with his father two days previously.
‘Your aunt called yesterday. Your mother’s in the hospital.’
‘So?’
‘So, it’s serious. Cancer. Of the pancreas.’
‘And?’
‘You need to visit her, Cal.’
‘No.’
‘She’s your mother.’
‘No, she’s not.’
‘You might not get another chance.’
‘She hasn’t visited us in ten years!’
‘Which I’m sure she regrets.’
‘Whose side are you on, Dad?’
‘Yours.’
‘She left us.’
‘So, find out why.’
‘I don’t need to know.’
‘Yes, you do.’
‘No.’
‘Don’t be left wondering.’
Calum rose from the bench and headed for the hospital entrance.
A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.
April 10, 2022
He’ll come to his senses
‘Did you honestly think that he’d turned to you after you tried to sabotage their relationship?’
‘I was doing them a favour; it’s obvious they’re not right for each other. The only people who can’t see that is them.’
‘The only person who can’t see the obvious is you. Seriously, Sarah, …’
‘He should be thanking me. I’m trying to save him …’
‘You’re trying to save him for yourself. You just can’t accept that …’
‘It’s Tim that can’t accept the truth.’
‘Sarah, whatever slim chance you had is gone.’
‘No. He’ll come to his senses.’
‘He already has.’
A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.
