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SILENT GOODBYES

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶
© Ayr/Gray

My father never paid me much attention. It was no secret he wanted a son, not me. Years later, my mother died and Dad took up with Paulette Gardner, a nurse with a taste for Marlboros and Rheingold.

Right around Fourth of July weekend, Dad brought Paulette back to our place. She said “Hi, honey” to me and started making herself right at home. I was looking forward to a barbecue and fireworks but Dad and Paulette only came out of the bedroom for beer and cigarettes. That Sunday night I packed a few things in Mom’s old suitcase, took her address book, whatever money I could find and softly left my home in Schenectady.

I was 13 years old.

When I arrived at Grand Central Station, I called Mom’s cousin Trudy in Brooklyn. She didn’t hesitate for a second, taking me into her home and caring for me like I was her own daughter. She also gave me a job in her bakery on Nostrand Avenue. When Trudy retired she put me in charge and I eventually became the owner.

A dozen years went by when I got a call out of the blue. It was Paulette letting me know my dad had died. There was no love lost between us but I felt I should drive up to say farewell.

I stood just beyond the honeysuckle-covered arch and silently watched my father’s funeral; only Paulette was in attendance. I felt nothing but the cool breeze on my face.

NAR © 2023
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-19/08/23

34 thoughts on “SILENT GOODBYES”

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    1. Or with a toxic partner. Isn’t is interesting how the words “parent” and “partner” are close, only one letter missing. So many people (especially women) with abusive parents … fathers … gravitate toward life partners with the same destructive qualities. Similar Stockholm Syndrome symptoms.

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  7. I really like the detached tone of your story, Nancy. No self-pity, just the horrible facts. Makes the home situation all the more sad.
    ‘a nurse with a taste for Marlboros and Rheingold’… You got her in one.
    And two people at the funeral – not surprising, given the selfish, heartless man that the story shows.
    But the MC – hurray for her – she got the happiness!
    A great story, Nancy.

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    1. Do you know the feeling when thoughts come to you and they just flow? That’s what I was feeling with this one.
      Greatly appreciate you picking up on the finer points of the MC’s tale of an unhappy, soulless life. You really got it!
      Thanks for your wonderful comments, Jenne; they are deeply appreciated. ❤︎

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      1. You are welcome, Nancy. They certainly shouldn’t be. Even fairytales have their bad actors. A sprinkling of sweet and lovely can be a pleasant escape. I needed that after writing a dark novel. Life is a blend! Should be, anyway. Solid storytelling writer!

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        1. Your reaction caught me a little off guard but I eventually realized what you meant.
          You obviously had strong feelings.
          If my words can make someone sad or get angry, have a laugh or feel horrified, then I’d like to think I’ve written a good story.

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