SELFISH WORDS

This prompt is about the others in the romance couple’s lives during the break-up. Inlaws, best friends, siblings and other immediate family – including the kids – the parents.  Anyone who has connected with the couple and is expected to choose sideswhen the relationship ends.  What we want to see is how “the others” feel or is changed by the ending relationship, and what they see as the strengths/weaknesses of the couple.  We want to live the romance through a second party. (This is also not a love triangle.)

Up to 400 words of prose/poetry in response to this prompt.

THIS IS MY ENTRY:

Selfish Words

She was just 13 years old

When he came home for the last time

Packed his bags and left them all alone

He said, ‘it’s not your fault’ in his deep tone

‘I still love you,’ he said with tears in his eyes

So that turned out to be a load of lies

Her friends didn't understand

She stayed because her mum was not in command

The father she adored

Walked out of the door

He didn't glance back once

He ran to gain his distance

As she tried to help she became the adult, their rock

She held it altogether despite the deep felt shock

Her brother wandered through the house oblivious

A couple of years older he became almost lawless

They muddled through the first few days somehow

Maybe he would come back tomorrow

Family life turned upside down with no routine

In limbo, bereft, betwixt and between

Emotions running high she couldn’t solve the problem

Her family was now a statistic, a threesome

They spent their evenings in separate rooms feeling angry

Blaming each other, finding fault, feeling guilty

Her friends said we’re here for you

Come to the disco we’ll find you a boy

You’re young; we’ll help you have fun

Don’t worry about your mum.

She talked to her dad and spent the weekend

The other woman tried to be her friend

It was just so hard to be two-faced

Trying to win him back she swallowed her distaste

To maintain the relationship

She pretended and feigned a kinship

Separating her life into two parts became the norm

She did her duty by each parent, she did conform

Then she rebelled, cut class and school

  She turned Goth and looked very cool

Attracted the wrong sort of bloke

She felt he was her only hope

Dark haired with deep brown eyes

So different to the father who lies

She was 16 and knew she was right

She left and stayed with him that night

She had so much love she wanted to give

She thought it might help her to forgive

Her decision was made, it didn’t take long

Nine months later along came her newborn son

It wasn’t easy this life she chose

She had ups and downs, highs and lows

She won’t waste the emotion

Or feel empty of compassion

Some things can't be recovered

Accepting now, she looks forward.

Word count: 402 (including title)