My Neverland Found [Make Someone's Day Challenge Redux]

by THX 0477

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“Sorry, sorry, sorry,” comes rambling down the gentle slope to the brook followed by a grubby boy of nine, “That wasn’t meant to hit you ma’am. I was…I was throwing it at the….at the…” He stops, his words faltering as his sneakered feet patter to a halt on the carpet of moss and leaves.

I sit up, adopting my stance as the rightfully perturbed adult, intruded upon by this insolent and uncareful child. My anger and indignity flare like a burst of sunlight through branches budged by an obstinant wind, they desert me just as quickly. I know that look. Somehow, I know where his excuse was going before it was abandoned as not an excuse an adult will accept.

This is a child at play, eyes still open to the unseen world of imagination, knees still dirty from joyful play. This is what I’ve lost.

My face goes soft, and my hand extends warmly, “Come, child, come and sit.” He obeys, as children do. “Now, dear boy, please tell me.” I flash a grin and wink, “Tell me what we shall hunt today.”

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Comments

Average Reader Rating: 5.0 stars out of 5

  1. My Neverland Found [Make Someone's Day Challenge Redux]

    OrangeOreos' Buddy Icon OrangeOreos

    Posted 3 months ago

    This was awesome.

    Perhaps she has a chance at living in her imagination one more time…

    Too bad we all just can’t do that.

  2. My Neverland Found [Make Someone's Day Challenge Redux]

    John Perkins' Buddy Icon John Perkins

    Posted 3 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Great job of bringing the story somewhat full-circle by having her “play” here again.
    Though, I do think the “come child” thing sounds a bit odd. Whenever I hear that phrasing, I’m expecting someone sinister saying it, like the old lady from Hansel and Gretel. Also, you put a “t” at the end of children in the last line.
    Other than that, another fantastic ficlet by the GAM .

  3. My Neverland Found [Make Someone's Day Challenge Redux]

    Jenunique's Buddy Icon Jenunique

    Posted 3 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Oh, I think this is great! I can actually that phrasing used, though it is odd, but we are at play. And we use odd phrasing “signifying” that we are at play. (Even when the children are 11 and 13. Just ask mine. ;D) Definitely made my day.

  4. My Neverland Found [Make Someone's Day Challenge Redux]

    Jenunique's Buddy Icon Jenunique

    Posted 3 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Correction: I can actually picture that phrasing being used…. blah blah you get it…

  5. My Neverland Found [Make Someone's Day Challenge Redux]

    Ridcully Calvert's Buddy Icon Ridcully Calvert

    Posted 3 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    I like the whimsical tone of all three ficlets.
    And the “come, child” seems natural to me, and adds a funny extra, almost sinister dimension to it.

  6. My Neverland Found [Make Someone's Day Challenge Redux]

    Ana Cristina's Buddy Icon Ana Cristina

    Posted 3 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    I’m with JP – I’m picturing the witch beckoning him over, too. As with Jenunique’s sequel, this still leaves many possibilities open for whomever wishes to sequel.

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