Maisie propped her handmade sign on the dusty old chair.
‘I finished it,’ she announced. Her father looked at the pink and blue flowers and bright childish writing.
‘For sale,’ he read aloud, then looked at his daughter. ‘That’s great, Maisie. What are we selling?’
Maisie gestured to all the junk that filled the garage.
‘All this stuff.’
‘Why’s that now?’
‘Cos Mama said either it went or she went, and I don’t want Mama to go.’
He smiled at her.
‘Sometimes your Mama says things she don’t mean, especially when she’s mad like that.’
‘So she ain’t leaving?’
‘Oh, she might leave, but clearing out this garage won’t make a bit of difference either way.’
Maisie looked crestfallen. ‘Is it the demons in them bottles again?’
Her father nodded.
‘Maisie girl, you want to help me clear up this place’
‘I guess.’
‘Come on then.’
They worked all afternoon filling boxes and loading them into the car to go to the dump. Mama sure will be delighted when she wakes up, Maisie thought.

Written as part of Sunday Photo Fiction. Write a story of around 200 words based on the photo prompt given (above). For more details visit HERE.
To read more stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
Another compelling piece with a great twist at the end.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Shehanne. Not sure where this one came from, just started writing and that’s where it ended up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was nicely done (Lol that is how I write. I just start and then–then the mess is unbelievable. )
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha, in among that mess is your next great novel though! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol….. AS I sit untangling the mess…… I only wish x
LikeLiked by 1 person
A subtle piece of writing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Steve
LikeLike
Brilliant writing 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Angie 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
If it were only that easy to clean up the real mess, eh? Nicely written as always.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Many thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alcoholism really is the demon. Well written Iain (as if you could write any other way)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks (some are better than others!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very sad situation for the child, indeed. This is such a realistic portrayal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Pamela, glad it came across as real people in a real situation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Penned so beautifully… Poor child… And looks like a patient father… I hope things get better for them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, much appreciated. Hopefully better times ahead for them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicely done. I get a clear picture of the problems caused by the demons in those bottles, and the relationship between these three, with just a few well-placed hints.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Joy. Good that you managed to get such a lot from my few words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
In a few words, you develop strong character sketches. Well done as usual.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Lorraine, always appreciate your comments.
LikeLike
Any time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
….and the children suffer the most. written with such depth! she believes she can help her mother and I hope the mother wakes up feeling better not seeing all the bottles there. The girl will do well later on – she has a kind father.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
some of the best stuff comes with just writing doesn’t it? Great piece
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, I agree, don’t think too much, just write and see what comes out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
sometimes it’s best not to ask how one’s mind works – that way lies the funny farm…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the shot of hope at the end, especially from Maisie’s innocent viewpoint. Nice touch.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks John, pleased you saw some hope in there.
LikeLike
Brevity when it comes to penning character sketches that leap out of the page is your forte. Greatly enjoyed this, Lain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Neel, very kind.
LikeLike
very well done. It was nice to have the innocence of the child, who presumes everything will be fine once the bottles are removed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very kind Sascha, thank you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicely done. The child’s voice is spot-on.
LikeLike
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike