The Tree Doesn’t Fall Far From the Apple
by Stephen Allan
Ma, look at the clouds.
Clowns?
Are you deaf? The clouds.
Oh, yeah, what about ‘em?
They look weird with that moon.
You called me out for this?
Ain’t it pretty?
It’s okay.
Just okay?
They’re other things on my mind.
I met Angie on a night like this.
Christ. We’re going to get into this now?
What’s your problem?
We need to finish before sunrise.
We got time.
Says you.
Her eyes were so beautiful.
You’re like your goddamn father.
Ain’t like that piece of garbage.
Says you.
I kissed her that night.
Jesus, you’re an idiot. Are you forgetting what they did to us?
No.
Well, give me a hand. She’s not the lightest whore.
You shouldn’t call your son an idiot.
What?
You called me an idiot.
Well, you’re an idiot to get mixed up with this hussy.
You married Dad.
I didn’t say I haven’t made mistakes.
I’ll say.
You got blood on that shirt. Take it off and wrap it in the plastic with your father.
You think this is Dad’s?
The shirt?
No, the blood.
Who knows? We messed them up pretty good.
I wish we hadn’t.
You’re the one started this. You’re the one with the knife.
I only stuck Dad. You’re the one that went after Angie.
That couldn’t be helped. The slut deserved every cut.
Well, I wish we hadn’t done it is all.
Never mind. Just put the bodies in the trunk and go inside. Momma’ll make you some pancakes.
[Stephen Allan lives in Maine. You can read his random thoughts at Noir Writer.]
Sweet mama! Great dialog, and lot's of ground covered.
ReplyDeleteLove it, Stephen! It's so nice when a mother and son can do things together :-)
ReplyDeleteLove your title, for one thing. I really like the setup of this. Great dialogue. Super job.
ReplyDeleteNice Job stephen.
ReplyDeleteGood dialogue, and awesome title. Thanks
BD
And they say families don't communicate anymore...
ReplyDelete(I loved the "you called me an idiot" bit of banter.)
I liked the 'idiot' banter, as well. Good dialogue, good story!
ReplyDeleteIt warms my heart to see a mother and son doing something together. Who said that the family unit is dyeing. Well written
ReplyDeleteheeeh!!!!
ReplyDeletethat was fantastic, stephen!! i smiled the entire time. went back and read it again. smiled the entire time.
not one single word of narrative. very, very nice.
thanks!!
*All dialogue* stories are hard to do well, but you have succeeded. Congratulations on a story well done. (I liked the bit about the blood on the shirt.)
ReplyDeleteI figured Angie and the Dad had gotten a little too cosy, but I loved how you bonded mother and son. Nice noir piece.
ReplyDeleteOh, I gotta clap for this one!
ReplyDeleteThis flowed brilliantly. Definitely attention grabbing. The two characters come alive so well. Good one!
ReplyDeletebucking frilliant!
ReplyDeletemy highest accolade!
A family that slays together...
ReplyDeleteA really, really good job and ALL in dialogue!
Thanks, everyone. I really appreciate the kind words. I'm glad y'all liked the piece.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on a well-deserved win!
ReplyDeleteexcellent story, congrats on the results. well deserved
ReplyDeleteBD
Way to go on third place!
ReplyDeleteWhat a genius use of dialog! It also reminds me of Stphen King who said you shouldn't need dialog attributions because the voice of the character should shine through. I also liked how it started light, then the horror crept in. Highest marks overall.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on Third place!