Entry #127

The End Marks The Beginning
by Ayodele Morocco-Clarke


“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust,” the priest intoned as he sprinkled bits of earth on the wooden coffin lying in the grave.

Yvonne looked on completely numb, wondering how fate could have dealt her such a cruel hand. Her brain could not process the fact that her vivacious little angel was gone forever. No more patter of tiny feet running through the house; No more tight cuddles and wet kisses; No more sweet smelling hair; No more… No more….NO MORE!!! her mind screamed, and for the first time since the accident, she broke down and wept bitterly; Great big wracking sobs which emanated from the core of her being and shook her tiny frame.

What sort of monster gets behind the wheel of a car completely inebriated? How can someone just wipe away another person’s life in a single reckless irresponsible moment?

Danielle’s agonising, dying screams reverberated in Yvonne’s head and she knew that though it was too late for her daughter, she was the only person who could ensure that this drunk driver never hurt anyone else.

That same evening saw her standing outside a non-descript building, determined to put an end to the drunk. She took a seat in a room and waited for her turn and when it did, she got to her feet slowly with tears streaming down her face and let out the truth; words that formed the basis of the wreckage in her life.

“My name is Yvonne Flemming and I’m an alcoholic.”


[Ayodele Morocco-Clarke is a Nigerian of mixed heritage currently living in the United Kingdom. She likes to describe herself as a stubbornly unconventional individual determined to push the conservative boundaries of society. Some of her work has been published in literary magazines and others are forthcoming in anthologies of short fiction.]