Week Five Flash Story

THE MAN WITH THE CHILD IN HIS EYES

JOHN 

As he arrived at work covered in mud from the walk in the rain, he couldn't remember a day of his fourteen years, when he hadn’t been working.

He wondered what it would be like to go to school, to have holidays, to play footy with mates.

At least he got a pay packet each week, which was better than working for Mother at the Inn for nothing. Instead of giving all he earned to Mother, he longed to buy little Ethel something special. A little sweetie from the General Store would put a smile on her face.

John loved to see that smile. But there hadn't been much to smile about, after Father died seven years ago. Then the death of Step Father two years later.

But work he must and if he must, he might as well get on with it.

When returning from lugging another load of wood inside for the cook, he slipped in the mud and came crashing down with the roughly cut wood going everywhere. He heard screaming and realised it was coming from him. That couldn't be a piece of wood sticking out of the side of his face could it? 

He lost consciousness.

Four days later John gave up his battle with pain. Another life ended too soon.