A Swift Exit
By T. Delaplain
Crayon art hung on the refrigerator door next to the grimy finger prints. Ignoring the squeals of “she hit me”, reaching a crescendo from the play room, Emily washed one of twelve plastic Disney cups that appeared in the sink daily and swept up the Fruit Loops, again. “MOM!” The muddy footprints and smelly trash would have to wait.
Head pounding, Emily repeated, “Just breathe. Children are a blessing. This is the exact life I chose.”
Together they had agreed to this chaos, but their father had chosen the first exit, her name was Serenity … of course.
Photo credit @Lisa Fox
Care to play with us at Friday Fictioneers? Don’t let the noise, noise, noise or explosion of colors in our playroom deter you. Our hostess Rochelle Wisoff will give you 100 words to write your tale of chaos.
Tracey Delaplain, MD 
Cute story, but sorry the dad bailed. What a punk.
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Thanks Lisa.
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You’re welcome, Tracey.
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The one who waits is always the mother
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It seems that way, but I applaud every dad who doesn’t bail out. Parenting is a challenge. Thanks for reading.
Tracey
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OH! What a twist! So sad, and not the life she had planned at all.
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Thanks for reading.
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kids grow up fast. she should enjoy these moments while they last. 🙂
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Some days are harder than others as a mother.
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Children are a blessing but sometimes their entertainment venues are not.
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That’s for sure. We’re getting renewed experience with the Littles but it’s easier to say no as grandparents. Thanks for your comments.
Tracey
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That’s so sad, such a shame he left them.
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I liked the fruit loops and disney cups being mentioned because it really fit the colors in the image – and so did the fiction you gave us – but very sad the dad left….
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Thank you. I tried to recreate the sights, sounds and smells of children and their habitat.
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it worked….
🙂
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Her peace and reward will come later. She just has to make it through the chaos, and she will breathe easier than the dad who left. Excellent writing, Tracey!
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I agree. I didn’t plan this as a Mother’s Day post but it certainly celebrates all mothers who embrace the chaos. Thank you for sharing your comment,
Tracey
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She’s got her hands full!
Hope she has a mom or friend to give her a break now and then.
Very realistic story.
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I am so grateful that I have T, who actually did a lot of the day to day kid duties. God bless him. That photo prompt brought back all the feelings of being overwhelmed by two active kids. Thanks for commenting Dawn.
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I remember that feeling well.
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Querida Tracey,
Dad wasn’t much of a dad, was he? Love the irony in the last line.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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“Serenity”… wait until his sweet new fling wants a baby with him too.
Thanks Rochelle.
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Perfect post for the week of Mother’s Day.
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