Short Story

Some Kind Of Innocence

Nancy's Notes šŸ–ŠļøšŸŽ¶

Written for The Unicorn Challenge where we are
encouraged to write creatively in 250 words or less
using the photo below as inspiration. Here’s my story.

Ā© Ayr/Gray

ā€œNo! Didn’t do it!ā€ wailed Robbie, the dishwasher at Michaelā€™s.

The waitstaff ran into the kitchen when they heard the crash. Shattered crystal covered the kitchen floor …. the new glasses for the loungeā€™s grand opening. 

Robbie huddled in the corner like a little boy, wiping his runny nose on his sleeve. He was a 32 year old man with the mind of an eight year old, courtesy of that one decisive extra chromosome ā€¦. a little thing called Down Syndrome. Robbieā€™s brother Gary, the maĆ®tre dā€™, crouched next to him while everyone stood in awkward silence. 

ā€œRobbie, accidents happenā€ Gary said calmly. ā€œCā€™mon now. Everyone will pitch in.ā€ 

The crew began sweeping up …. everyone except Vic, the bartender. 

ā€œNot me. I ainā€™t helpin’!ā€Ā snarled Vic. ā€œIt was that moronā€™s fault. He shouldnā€™t be around normal people!ā€

Michael Banks, the lounge owner, stormed into the kitchen. ā€œWhat the hellā€™s going on?!ā€ Slowly he looked around, taking in the whole scene, then asked everyone to leave except Robbie, Gary and Vic.

ā€œRobbie, itā€™s okā€ Michael said. “Talk to me. Tell me what happened.ā€

Robbie sniffled. ā€œI saw the boxes but I didnā€™t touch them, cross my heart and hope to die. Vic rushed in the back door and pushed me into the boxes.ā€

ā€œYou lyin’ freak!ā€Ā sneered Vic.Ā ā€œLook, Mr. B. Iā€™m tellin’ ya I didnā€™t do nothing. Who ya gonna believe ā€“ that retard or me?ā€Ā 

ā€œThatā€™s enough! Itā€™s over!ā€ Michael barked. ā€œGrab a broom. Weā€™re opening tonight on schedule.ā€ 

NARĀ©2024
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-28/06/24

This is ā€œHey Bulldogā€ by the Beatles

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantā€™s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NARĀ©2017-present.

32 thoughts on “Some Kind Of Innocence”

  2. A disturbing slice of life. I’m so glad Robbie has supporters nearby to defend him against the likes of Vic; there would be many just as vulnerable who are at the mercy of such bullies. Your characters really ring true and I’m glad to see in one of your comments that Michael isn’t finished dealing with Vic.

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    1. Thank you, Margaret. I have zero tolerance for this type of mean, ignorant behavior. I would never allow one of my characters to get away with bullying of this nature. I also believe in karma and if it doesn’t happen on it’s own, there’s nothing wrong with giving it a little nudge.

      Being Sicilian, I am a pro at multi-tasking; not only do I get angry …. I get even! šŸ¤£

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  9. And Michael’s not canning Vic? Must be because he would suffer from being short-staffed. Vic got off way too lightly.

    The one thing about those with Down’s is they don’t know how to lie.

    Nicely crafted, Nancy.

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  10. so… there is a consensus of the most deficient human personality, (avoiding the easier, more-satisfying-on-a-certain-level) characterization of evil), that being, ‘bully’.

    A sure sign of good writing? This story (and attendant comments) inspires me to re-think that most original of stories, i.e. The Garden of Eden episode in Genesis.

    hmm, have to save that for another week’s ‘corn.

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      1. (Don’t tell anyone…) but, imho, the bully wasn’t Eve (kinda a clark), nor Adam (can you say roger (“God, I’ve named all your animals and now I’m bored…”) and, to no one’s surprise not Mister Serpent (a deviously charming scott if ever there was one)… won’t name names of the offending character…)

        lol

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