Statement of Intent

Posted on Sep 29, 2015 by TanGental

Charli Mills’ prompt this week is

September 23, 2015 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) declare an intention in a story. Is it one person, a character speaking up or speaking out? Is it a group or a nation? Create a tension before or after the declaration. It can be private or public, big or small. Does it have power to those who state it or hear? What does it change?

Future Perfect

‘How did Milton die, Mum?’

Mary blinked at her daughter. ‘Milton? Grandpa’s dog?’

‘He died the same day as Grandpa, didn’t he?’

Mary hesitated, shifting the baby’s weight. ‘The heat. Grandpa never expected to be more than a minute posting his letter…’

‘Did he suffer?’

Charlotte started mewling and Mary offered her her little finger. Did Penny mean her grandfather or Milton? ‘I don’t think either did.’

Penny’s usually smooth forehead puckered. Instantly, Mary felt guilty. It was much easier at Charlotte’s age. Having to grow up and face reality was hard.

‘Mum, I want to become a vet.’

Mary’s story can be found here, if you want to catch up. 

 

About TanGental

My name is Geoff Le Pard. Once I was a lawyer; now I am a writer. I've published several books: a four book series following Harry Spittle as he grows from hapless student to hapless partner in a London law firm; four others in different genres; a book of poetry; four anthologies of short fiction; and a memoir of my mother. I have several more in the pipeline. I have been blogging regularly since 2014, on topic as diverse as: poetry based on famous poems; memories from my life; my garden; my dog; a whole variety of short fiction; my attempts at baking and food; travel and the consequent disasters; theatre, film and book reviews; and the occasional thought piece. Mostly it is whatever takes my fancy. I avoid politics, mostly, and religion, always. I don't mean to upset anyone but if I do, well, sorry and I suggest you go elsewhere. These are my thoughts and no one else is to blame. If you want to nab anything I post, please acknowledge where it came from.
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11 Responses to Statement of Intent

  1. Sarah Brentyn says:
    Sep 30, 2015 at 1:50 am

    That was an unexpected (and delightful) twist. And declaration. Love it. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • TanGental says:
      Sep 30, 2015 at 9:02 pm

      It is sort of personal since the vet was turned to her career choice in part because of the death of a pet.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Sarah Brentyn says:
        Sep 30, 2015 at 10:03 pm

        Ooh… Ouch. But she likes this career path, right? You’ve mentioned it…I think. This gets back to the “how much of our fiction is non-fiction” debate. Not always, of course, but there are times when our life sneaks into our fiction. It happens. Consciously and subconsciously.

        Liked by 1 person

      • TanGental says:
        Oct 1, 2015 at 3:38 pm

        I know. I’m better I think at hearing it when it happens. I don’t see it, just hear my voice in the prose, jarring.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. rogershipp says:
    Sep 30, 2015 at 2:46 am

    The heat can quickly sneak up on a person… or a pet! Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Charli Mills says:
    Sep 30, 2015 at 6:52 am

    Mary’s story has circled back to where it began. Surprising (yet delightful) to discover that the elixir is Mary’s daughter who declares to become a vet.

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. Sacha Black says:
    Sep 30, 2015 at 9:48 am

    Aww I love this one how lovely and such a believable story

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Lisa Reiter says:
    Oct 1, 2015 at 9:01 am

    Grabs you.. Wondering if it’s close to memoir? Xx

    Like

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