Some writing for you

Hey folks,

It's been a while since I actually posted any writing up here, so here's a flash fiction piece - I hope you enjoy!



                                                                    IF ONLY YOU KNEW

                                                                           Ben Warden           

 

            ‘I’ve got three friends now’ he tells me. ‘But I’ll only have two next week because Charlie is on Holiday.’

            I laugh and he smiles. One day he will be distraught when I laugh at him, but for now we are free with
    each other.

            ‘Oh really, well done! And where is Charlie going?’

            ‘In a car.’

            ‘Right. That will be fun!’

            ‘And I fell over in the playground and Mrs Frost helped me.’

            ‘Oh dear.’

            I get the blank look; he’s forgotten the tears already. All he remembers is that the teacher helped him
    and it seemed important and I'm glad he's told me, because it is.

            ‘And what else did you do at big school?’

            ‘We played and we had to put our coats on and my wellies are too small!’

            Judging my parenting already! What a fine teenager you’ll be!

            ‘I know love, we’ll sort that at the weekend.’

            In years to come I will notice that the reports of the school day never feature what he learnt. I’ll be    
    content to hear about his friends and what he had for lunch; I’ll let it slide, but his Father won’t.

            ‘Mum?’ he says, with concern too big for his tiny face. ‘Can I go back tomorrow?’

            ‘Of course you can, love.’ I say.

            If only you knew, I think.