![science fiction, fantasy, flash fiction](https://roughwighting.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/fantasy-3533325_960_720.jpg?w=349&h=232)
Written in response to D.W. Peach’s March Speculative Fiction Prompt
The rain falls so hard the trees appear to be weeping. I stand on the steep sidewalk waiting for the school bus, hair frizzing into tight curls but mouth curled up in a sweet grandmotherly smile.
My grandson turns seven today, and I’m determined to help him celebrate.
Of my six grandchildren, Steven is the most enigmatic; at times, full of energy and light, other times quiet and introspective. He seems to know something that no one else does.
Finally, the school bus brakes in front of me like a yellow submarine. Steven climbs down the five steps hesitantly, but when his eyes find mine, his smile radiates a bright glow.
“Grammy!” he shouts, backpack slapping behind him as he races toward my arms. We hug and then approach my new car.
“A mini-cooper,” Steven observes with a subdued tone in his voice.
“Isn’t it cute?” I crow as I crawl into the driver’s seat of the mint green toy.
As Steven snaps on his seat belt he says, “Uh huh. Mini-coopers are for old people.”
Damn the boy. “Can’t be,” I snap back. “Since I’m not old.”
“Welllll.” Steven is one of those kids who hasn’t learned to lie, or even smudge the truth.
I ignore him and suggest, “Shall we go to the Sweet Shop and get cupcakes to celebrate your birthday?” This is a routine I’ve established with each of his brothers, who devour cupcakes as if they’re M & M’s.
“No. Ice cream,” Steven suggests. If a suggestion sounds like a wistful demand.
The car’s windshield wipers can’t keep up with the rain. My soaked sneakers slip on the accelerator as my shoulders shiver underneath my wet jacket. “Maybe it’s bit chilly for ice cream today?”
Steven stares at me through the rear view mirror. “Ice cream is for special days,” he intones. “Today is ordained to be special.”
Like I said, a puzzling child.
After I park the car, we skip through deep puddles to reach the tiny ice cream shop, which, not surprisingly, is empty of patrons. We sit on a small bench and watch the rain drip down the shop’s glass door as Steven inhales his birthday cone.
“I can’t wait to be as old as you,” he muses, licking some raspberry liquid off his fingers.
“First, I’m not old yet. Second, why?” I ask, not giving up my own fiction of youth, yet wondering why he’s ready to disown his.
“When I’m old, I don’t have to listen to anyone else, I don’t have to go to school, and I can follow my own path.”
The first two reasons sound like a 7-year-old, but the last one doesn’t. “What’s your path?”
Steven points outside with a sticky ice-creamed finger.
I gasp. The clouds have dissipated, and in front of us we can see the city clearly, even though it’s at least 25 miles away. The moon, or perhaps I should say, ‘a moon,’ floats in front of the sun, adding an eerie glow to the remains of the day. “Eclipse?!” I whisper. None has been forecast.
“My path,” Steven states in a voice so still and sure my heart lurches. He kisses me on the cheek, throws the end of his cone in the trash, and sprints out the door, down the wet alley, toward his unknown.
I race after him.
Wow, very definitely a different type of boy 🙂
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In this “speculative” fiction, Steven is an amalgam of all of my grandsons. I enjoyed how reality merged with fiction here….xo
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Love this, Pam! Steven sounds like quite the enigma.
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I liked it muchly. 🙂
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Such a compelling story, Pam. That boy is destined for something strangely great!
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Well, he definitely has the courage to run toward something – a path – he has no idea about. But then, neither do we as we race toward the future. ;-0
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So true, Pam. We are delusional when we think we are living in certainty.
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He sounds like an old soul Pamela. I love the sound of your new car. Enjoy.
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Steven in this speculative story is kind of an amalgam of all of my young grandsons, Brigid. And I used a bit of my own fantasy, because I’ve always wanted to get a mini-cooper, but so far haven’t. Not great in the snows of New England. ;-0
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This is amazing. I did not see the end coming. Great writing!
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Thank you so much for enjoying my “speculative” story!
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You’re welcome! 😊
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Beautiful story, Pam! It is very Pam-style speculative fiction–sweet and full of wonder.
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Thank you, Merril. I started off thinking I was writing mostly fiction, but in the end (and thanks to readers’ comments), I realize I wrote more reality than fantasy. ;-0 A shocker.
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🙂
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Wonderful story, Pam! Don’t tell anyone, but I think it’s the best so far…shh. ❤
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WOW! Jill, I won’t tell a soul, but thanks so much for the compliment. xo
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i love this!
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YAY! I’m thrilled you enjoyed my rather speculatively real story. ;-0
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Wonderful story, Pam. I really enjoyed it.
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❤ Many thanks, Mary.
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Oh to be 7 years old again! Great story.
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True, Ally, But readers have led me to realize that we all kind of race for an unknown path ahead of us, don’t we?! No matter our age. :-0 xo
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I was so excited to see your story this morning, Pam. What a wonderful peek into our grandchildren’s uncharted futures. We can run after them, but they will eventually outpace us and find their own paths. And I love the play on “young/old.” Thank you, my friend, for playing! ❤
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The fascinating thing about this story, Diana, is that I’ve learned more about what it says, and does, in its speculative reality, than I realized when I wrote it! ;-0
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What a cool comment, Pam. I can totally see that. Speculative fiction is, in some ways, a metaphor for reality, and like many metaphors, it let’s us view things from a shifted perspective. I’m so glad you’re playing!
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Thanks for inviting me to the “game.” 🙂
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Wow. I want to follow him, too.
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Fascinating response, Amy. You are an old soul, indeed. xo
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Presumptuous, Precocious, Pre-ordained! What more could a Grammy ask? Follow that kid! ♥
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May we all follow the “kid” within us, Billy Ray! ❤
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Awe! With all my grandchildren their twenties and reflecting on similar conversations, my eyes are damp and my heart is full. Enjoy!
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I’m so glad that this story resonated with you, Jeanette. Watching new souls reveal their old souls is quite an epiphany. ❤
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That was delightful. It sounded more true than fiction. Lovely.
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You hit the nail on the head, Jacqui (to use a much too used cliché…). I didn’t realize it until I read your comment. There’s more truth than fiction in this “speculative” piece. Ah, how the muse likes to play tricks on us!
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First off, Pamela, you are so lucky to have six grandchildren! 🙂 This is such a heartwarming story and Steven is such an adorable boy! ❤ Happy Birthday, Steven!
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Six grandchildren is rather daunting, Carol, I must admit (three in each family). Five are boys under the age of 9, but the oldest is a girl who survives by being all “girly girl” and bossing the boys. 🙂 Hmmm, that could make a good story too. ❤
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It could make a great story!
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Wow Pam. You really penned a doozy. I think you and Steven have a great future ahead. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Brad. I enjoyed joining you in rising to Diana’s challenge. Your story inspired me, for sure. OH! and I just popped over and read your SECOND one. I think you have found your ‘niche.’ I’d read an entire anthology of your speculative fiction!
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Thank you for the kind words and encouragement. When I read stories like yours and Diana’s I don’t feel very confident about my story writing skills.
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Oh, I feel that way all the time too when I read the stories of others. As I tell my creative writing students, we just need to write what we FEEL, in our own voice, and we’re good to go. ❤
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Good advice Pam. Hopefully, I’ll remember next time I sit to write a story. 🙂
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I like the way you’ve combined the personal connection and the general behaviours and attitudes between young and old. Great story.
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Thanks Anneli. This is one of those stories where I let the Muse lead my writing hand, and then found some surprises (along with reactions from readers) regarding what the story is all about. Love that!
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Many interpretations, yes.
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I loved reading this. Allowing each child to find their own path is a goal to aspire toward but for the child to realize they have their own says they still have their connection to where they came from. He’s going to be one to watch. What a wonderful experience this is going to be.
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Interesting perspective, Marlene. I think the best thing about this story of speculative fiction is the different ideas readers have gleaned from it. “Steven” is an amalgam of my grandsons, but perhaps he’s also a symbol of me, and of you, too. Some of us realize we need to follow a strange-looking path that we recognize from somewhere in our “insides.” Old souls, indeed.
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Six grandchildren!! How incredible. Must be interesting watching them all grow and observing their different personalities.
I really love how your story takes one interaction/conversation within a relationship and lets it slowly unfold… making the reader wonder what’s coming next. Eager for more….
A mini cooper!! My first boyfriend when I was 19 had one of those, so I can attest to the fact that they aren’t for “old people”… But of course when you are 7, anyone over the age of 10 is probably old. It is all relative isn’t it?
So enjoyed this one…. Brought back lots of memories of when my three were little.
Peta
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Thanks for the intertwined comments here, Peta. I kind of combined the personalities of my five grandsons (all under the age of 9) here – my granddaughter is another fish entirely. 🙂 The conversation in this story though is almost verbatim from my 7-year-old grandson on the day my guy and I took him out for his birthday. We had a rental, not a mini-cooper, but when we passed one on the street, he made his astute (from a child’s perspective) comment. Somehow it all seemed to interlink when I saw Diana’s photo prompt. :-0 ❤
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Out of the mouths of babes.. Kiddos come up with the most profound thoughts! Love the story! It captures the thoughts of an exceptional child! 😉
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That’s what I think, Kim. We need to listen to children more carefully – they can teach us a thing or two – or a thousand…. 🙂
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Your imprint clearly show on your grandson’s wish to follow his own “path.” Supremely well-told story. Every word evoked vivid images. 🙂
My trivia-prone mind even recalled Charlize Theron speeding around in her Mini Cooper in The Italian Job (2003). Remember?
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Haha. Yes, the Mini Cooper was quite cool in The Italian Job. I always wanted one, and my guy and I tested one out a few years ago when we lived in CA. Very fun, but a bit too tiny (in his mind) and too crushable in the busy highways. So, in this story, it’s my magical way of thinking that I pick up Steven (not his real name) in a mini-cooper. In reality, we were in a rental car, but our grandson did indeed make that comment about mini-coopers. Old people? Hmmm, perhaps someone over the age of 15?? 🙂
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I enjoyed the story, Pamela. A very interesting character that boy.
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I am discovering that when boys are allowed to speak uninterrupted (perhaps with no sibling or parent in the same room), they can come up with some amazing observations.
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I found that to be true as well.😊
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I love the subtle message of this heart-warming story Pam. I could connect with the innocence and the truthful answers of Steven, an adorable boy with a loving heart. I wish the love of grandchildren and their hugs remain the same…forever.
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I’ve discovered that speculative fiction (much like poetry, perhaps?) uncovers fascinating truths in the fiction that is more real than not. ❤
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Poignant and powerful…through the eyes of a child. ❤ Nothing short of GRAND is what they are!
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Giving the “grands” a place to be free to speak and show their “insides” is a revelation, indeed.
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Have a Grand time making and cherishing memories, Pam! ❤
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Your story is so beautiful and deep. That is one wonderful meeting by
the school bus and one senses who is going to lead in this
tale. He gets you to the ice-cream shop in the cold and rain, he enchants you
and then with his last comment silence us all.
I was glad to see that you raced after Pamela.
miriam
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Thanks for entering my speculative (yet all so real) universe here with me, Miriam. It’s interesting to me how so many adults dismiss children and their fantasies, when in reality, a child’s fantasy and perspective on life can lead us to some amazing places….
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I love how honest and curious children are. What an endearing story. You aren’t old — you still race after him!
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May we all still race after our young ones – they can lead us to some fascinating, insightful paths!
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A beautiful story that oozes of grandmotherly proud and probably a bit of awe. He sounds like a wise child filled with all kinds of ideas and someone who will aspire to high goals.
Mini Coopers are so dang cute and I see quite a few in my town, with population of about115,000, in central Texas.
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Mini Coopers are great for states like TX and CA. New England? Not so much with our snow and ice. But this was speculative fiction, so I can drive a Mini Cooper. 🙂 But the speculations of children and their deep insight to things unseen – that I shall never take for granted. ❤
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Steven is obviously wiser than his years. 🙂 – Marty
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I think the wisdom of children is discounted by so many adults, which is a detriment to the child AND the adult! Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Marty.
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omg Pam! Breathtaking! This story gave me goosebumps!
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Wow. Yay, Joanne. You just made me (as a writer) feel so good. I’ll admit, I kinda got goosebumps when I came to the end of this speculative tale. Particularly when I realized that most of it was true! ;-0 xo
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Even better 💕
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I LOVE this story. Grandchildren are so precious and each one unique. Steven sounds like quite a character.
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The uniqueness of each child should be revered by adults, Darlene, yet so often “children” are bunched together as, well, just kids. Oh, how much they can teach us! xo
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My mom always said it doesn´t matter how many children you have, they will all be different. My aunt, who had 11 children, couldn´t agree more. 😊❤
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Oh, the things we do for our grandchildren. He certainly seems to know where he is headed in life.
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The certainty in a child’s heart can be inspiring, can’t it?
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Absolutely!
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If he said “ordained,” that’s already special for a seven-year-old. And then: “follow my own path.” He’s a boy who thinks for himself. He seems to have big plans for his future and the gumption to achieve them.
Ice cream and cupcakes are both tempting. He didn’t have trouble making his choice.
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With six grandchildren, I have the distinct pleasure of noting the distinctness of each. This story is speculative, and yet, it’s so real in the depiction of a child’s certainly of his path, and where he wishes to go. I’m in awe of that ability in young children.
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I have to admit, I am jealous. I would give a lot to have a grandson like that. Have fun with him .
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Grandchildren are fun because you don’t need to correct them, or worry about them in the same way a parent does. Thus, allowing them to have ice cream on a cold rainy day, and to dash off toward an unknown path, is more pleasure than angst. 🙂
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Fascinating story about a fascinating boy. Strong-willed and smart. Knowing the word “ordained” at age 7 is exceptional. 🙂 I can see that six grandchildren keep you busy and on top of it all.
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Because this is speculative fiction, Steven is a combination of my six grandkids. I find them all to be beyond fascinating… as well as helpful editors when I’m writing my children’s books. 🙂
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What a precious child and very meaningful conversation. I hope he never loses that insightful and observant nature. ❤️
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Such a good point, Debra. I think we all were insightful and observant when we were kids. Somehow we lose that when we become “grown up.” Isn’t that sad? Thus, I think we adults should listen to children more carefully than we usually do. ❤
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Kids don’t mind the season if they see a chance to get ice cream. Great story and courageous kid to follow his path into the ‘unknown’.
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Haha. Isn’t that the truth, Jina? An adult wouldn’t even consider ice cream on a freezing wet day. Kids? Can’t get enough. Carpe diem, for sure. But in this case, Seize the ICE CREAM! 🙂
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What a great story, Pam. I wonder will Grammy catch Steven. Will he allow her on his path? Funny how children up to that age show obvious signs of wisdom, of having been here before. Many seem to lose it after that. I think it gets unbelieved out of them. Good thing Steven has Grammy to believe in him.
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I just wrote a comment on that fact, Norah. Exactly. You, as a person so connected with children, see how insightful/wise they can be, and then, adolescence happens, and somehow they lose that ability. Is it because it gets “unbelieved” out of them? Probably so. Thus, fantasy and speculative fiction should be encouraged with children’s reading perhaps into their teenage years and beyond.
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Great point, Pam. Good things there are writers writing it. 🙂
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Fiction or non-fiction or a bit of both? I love when children speak from edges of our world. Our Christopher used to do this all the time. At one point he went into a trance and told me the meaning of my life and what I should be realizing at this point. Then he shook his head and said, “But I’m too young to know this” and went back to being a kid. Another time he traveled up to the stars. Now, dear me, he’s got a scientific rational mind and won’t hear any “nonsense”. Interesting to see what happens to your grandson (and my son) as they age…
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Oh, Kathy, what our children (and/or grandchildren) can teach us. And yes, we should grab their insight when we can, because unfortunately when that magic stops – by adolescence? – so does the deep-down wisdom. “Reality” grabs hold of them. Bummer, huh? As far as my speculative fiction here, turns out that most of it is true! Interesting – many times when I write non-fiction it turns out to be fantasy, and now when I write fantasy, it turns out to be reality. Perhaps that’s a good sign….? ;-0
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Good write!
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Thanks so much for reading/enjoying my piece of speculative fiction. However, speculatively, it’s more true than not…. ;-0
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I knew that. I read between the signs.
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❤
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I LOVE this!. Now he’s a young man I’d like to meet. Any 7 year old who understand he has a path is worth spending time with..:)
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So true, George. I find that young kids are more sure of themselves and their path. But when adults/teachers/life get their hands on the young minds, suddenly the path becomes less clear. Sad, huh? Here’s to encouraging our young ones to believe in themselves…and perhaps we can follow along their path. I think we could learn a LOT.
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Amen to that!
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Oh boy! The fear of letting go…
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Wonderful and poignant story about launching the next generation. Well done 🙂
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I love how you interpret this story. So many readers see it as a metaphor of different things. As a writer, I find the interpretations fascinating and rewarding. Launching the next generation – the best one yet!
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Bringing different readers to different places is a sign of good writing, I’d say. Well done, you 🙂
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❤
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Well done Pam. Your little grand boy just might be all knowing. 😉 x
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He just may be…. ;-0 🙂
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🙂 😉
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Initially I thought this was a BOTS, Pam, and then the ending came along. Brilliant!
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Being a bit … naïve, Robbie, does BOTS mean “based on a true story”? Either that, or a robot, but not sure. :-0 You have taught me several things over our blogging connection and tweets, and I thank you! Anyway, I think that’s what makes speculative fiction rather fun. The REAL interconnected with the fiction, making the reader speculate, “did it really happen? CAN it really happen?” ❤
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Yes, based on a true story. I am not that into robots although my children think I am one that is there to bring them drinks and wash up glasses [smile]. A lovely story with such an unexpected twist.
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HaHa. RobotMOM. Thanks much for your comments, Robbie. xo
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Pam, I have shivers reading this … wonderful! Love the merging of fact (your grandsons) with fiction. A wise young man and don’t we all want to find that path to follow our lives! Maybe it just doesn’t need to be so dramatic – or perhaps this is how it would feel!😀
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Perhaps this is how it SHOULD feel when we find our path, Annika! It’s taken me a lot of years, but I’ve finally found a writing path that seems right, down to the bottom of my soles and up to the tippy top of my head. I think your path is the same…. ❤
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I love this Pam. I love the juxtaposition of the ordinary with those little things that seem a bit ‘off’ and suggest there’s more going on that meets the eye. Great ending too!
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THANK YOU, Andrea. That is exactly what I was trying to portray – how the ordinary suddenly can be understood as extraordinary, if we watch, listen, and then keep our eyes open for a path that just may appear.
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P.S. but you said it better than me! 🙂
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My creative friend what a wonderful story you’ve spun. It’s always such a pleasure to read your creative writing. Thank you for taking me with you on this birthday journey.
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Thank YOU, Joyce. You and I heard some amazing “path” stories (yours included!!) and we realize, I think, that through the writing, amazing paths can be discovered….
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Aww, I love how you spun and created this wonderful story. Steven sounds delightful. I like the way he thinks — and I like the way *you* think! 🙂
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Wow! Many thanks Kate. 💙
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Pingback: His Path – #writingprompt | Myths of the Mirror
Hello Pam, you’ve gone and done it again! I read a line then another and another, anticipation builds, I know you’re heading somewhere I know won’t be obvious, you’re a fabulous story teller – I’ve a lot of catching up to do! All the best, Eric.
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Hugs and thanks, Eric. 😘
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What a wonderful story. It kept me on the edge a little bit…anticipating what was to come. Thank you for sharing it.
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I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I must admit, it was really fun to write .
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Have a wonderful weekend.
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Pingback: March Speculative Fiction Round-Up | Myths of the Mirror
This is great, Pam. Chills over here. Kids are much more introspective than we give them credit for. Your grandson is a deep thinker!
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Children aren’t given enough credit for the natural insights they have. That’s why I love children’s books that don’t “spell out” things for them, but let’s them use their imagination as they read a story. ❤
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Fabulous story Pam.. loved it.. one special boy and hope he finds his path…hugs
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Many thanks, Sally. May we all find and follow our path, no matter our age.
And…. may we all eat ice cream, even if it’s cold outside. 🙂
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Always Pam ♥
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Really enjoyed this, could so picture it, and I had a feeling you were bringing some reality into the fiction. I love that phrase ‘smudge the truth’. Lovely story, that I want more of…with ice-cream! H xxx
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Haha. “Smudge the truth” is more descriptive than “fibbing” or “not quite telling the truth,” isn’t it Harula? Thanks for coming over here to read my speculative fiction. And you’re right, there’s lots of reality here. ❤
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Thannks great post
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