Written for the Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle for the picture prompt below – a story in 100 words or less. For amazing stories on this prompt click here. Thanks to Jan Marler Morrill for the photo.
Sons and daughters
Words 99
“This alley is so tiny.” Sheena laughed. “I remember it as a long dark highway!”
“Useful for sneaking back inside.” Her brother winked.
“And learning the facts of life,” Sheena said.
“Meaning?”
“When I was about 12, I overheard Dad telling Mom – if it is again a girl, I will get another wife.”
Sheena shook him by the arm. “Make your peace with Dad. He loves you!”
“Yeah right. After my bike accident, I overheard him – Thanks to God for saving my son. I cannot afford to lose him. It’s not like I have two or three sons.”
***
Thanks for reading. If you have time and the inclination, do check out the Macro Moment photo challenge and one-liner Wednesday post. Though I should warn you, it isn’t exactly one line 
Have a great weekend. Oh I almost forgot! For the readers of Moonshine, here’s Chapter 73 and Calvin on a water conservation spree 😀
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Very interesting – and likely true to life for some daughters – hope she makes her peace with dad – ha!
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Hi Y! Good to see you here 🙂 Sons are, in general, preferred over daughters in India for a variety of reasons. But here, I think the son is more upset…
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Wow – and I also like the layers in the conversation – like they seem open and honest and the bro is a bit of a wise counsel with the “go and make your peace with dad”
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🙂
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I had two girls first, and even in England people kept askeing if I wanted a boy next time.
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Good to have both…so long as you don’t prefer one over the other 😉 Thanks for reading. Have a great weekend
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A parent’s words can so easily wound a child, and sour relationships for a lifetime. Well shown here.
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Thanks for dropping by 🙂
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Dear Dahlia,
I found it interesting that the son found the father’s attitude more upsetting than the daughter. Although I understand…my father preferred girls and my brother suffered because of it. I had three sons. My father was very disappointed. I find that offensive and am rather sad for my brother. I said all that to say, good story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle for the kind words. 🙂
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Perhaps I should add that the son was upset that his father valued him more because he was the only son…if he had more brothers would his father not have cared if he lived or died? The son was hurting because his father viewed him as a symbol of his genetic propagation and old age support system…nothing more.
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That is sad.
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Yes it is isn’t it…
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Interestingly enough, though it’s said that people don’t care, it seems that daughters are preferred in Sweden… if you have two boys already you are more likely to get a third child than if you have two daughters…
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That’s interesting! Thanks for dropping by and commenting.
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Wow, pleasantly surprising that the son finding his father’s attitude so offensive. He is more of a brother than a son… lucky Sheena!! The man’s mind just like this narrow and dark alley… the facts of life!! Well written, Dahlia!!
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Thanks Svkuki. But I do think I didnt quite manage to convey what I intended to. What I was trying to say was that the son was upset at his father for saying “I cannot afford to lose him. It’s not like I have two or three sons.” Meaning his father wouldnt have minded losing him if he had a few more sons – that it is the “son” who matters not him per se.
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Phewww… my bubble burst !!! Got your point!!
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