photo by incredible artist Danielle Tunstall
This is my official entry in Fiona Johnson's City Of Lost Children short story contest at Flash Fiction Friday. If you're a writer reading this, I strongly encourage you to participate, because for every entry, Fiona will give 5 euros to Children 1st and owner Thomas Pluck will also shell five bones to PROTECT. Your words can make children safer. Here is my story...
UNDER THE GAZE OF SATURN
by: Benoit Lelievre
Earlier today, Jacob ate ice cream with dad. They walked on the pier and dad ate his silently as Jacob gave him the play by play of the soccer game. He laughed because he was there, he saw the game, but he didn't say anything. He never did. Dad didn't talk much, he smiled a lot and wore those big sunglasses. He wasn't there often also, but he never missed a soccer game or a talent show or anything else mom put Jacob in.
“Jake, can I call you Jake? Sure I can. Look, do you know mother's phone number? What's her name? I know you're shocked right now and you probably hate me, but let me tell your something. You need to know the truth about your father. He was a very bad man. Because of him, a lot of people lost their job, their families, the life they worked for, you know? You're gonna be very angry at me. For a very long time, years even. But one day, you'll get over your anger and you'll understand why we did this today.”
Dad fell on the floor, like a thing you dropped. A sack of potato or a worn out pillow you kicked from your bed when you slept. A red spots wet his shirt and grew larger by the second. He lost his sunglasses and turned his head towards Jacob, but his eyes weren't comforting or amused or anything. His body twitched and writhed and his eyes didn't see anything in the room. His body was still there, still moved, but his soul was already elsewhere. A place nobody knew or understood about. Jacob whimpered, horrified and before his pain could take the form of an inarticulate shriek, the fleshy hand of the policeman covered his mouth. His scream died, vibrating against the big, fat fingers.
“Do you want something to drink? A candy bar, maybe? Fuck, I don't know how to handle this very well, kid, I'm sorry. See this skinny woman sitting on the chair over there? She told us where your father was. I guess you can call her a snitch. She had a life, before your dad, I mean. She worked in a clothing store. She sold clothes to other woman. Look at her now, dead eyes, marks on her arms. I'm sure you'll be angry at her also, but it will pass. Oh yeah, it will pass. With your mother, you will grow up to be a strong man, with good values and good friends. That today, will teach you to surround yourself with smart, righteous people that want the best for you. Maybe you'll be a cop someday, who knows, my man? Who knows, right?”
Jacob's dearest wish was to become a policeman. In the mind of a seven years old, it didn't have much meaning. It's about wielding a firearm, wearing a uniform and helping old ladies, bringing their purses back and everything. That day, things changed when Jacob got a whole gallon of meaning injected into his life. Dad worked in an office. He wore a suit and carried documents in folders, wherever he went. Nobody got skinny because of him, but himself. He didn't own firearms or threaten people with anything outside the law. His only sins were those of his clients and the handling of their business. He got comfortable in their houses and often accepted their hospitality. Would have dad be elsewhere, he would've survived. That day, everybody in that room had to die and dad was just passing by with Jacob to drop documents and have a drink. Mr. San Fiore had a rad house and the latest video games.
“I didn't hate cops at first, they were the ones who started everything. Give a service weapon to one of those power hungry motherfuckers and they'll think they're the hand of God. Tiger, don't forget. You can pistol whip the wife, but you can't kill her. Guilt is a paralysing emotion. We take the kids, but he still needs something to lose. Last thing you want on you is an asshole cop on a desperate vendetta.”
