AND BREATHE
Dee hoisted Petey out of his high
chair and smacked his nappy-padded bottom. He wasn’t hurt but it shocked him
into taking a breath – when he held it that long it frightened her.
Petey grew into a self-willed
teenager, ignoring Dee’s admonitions to stay away from the tidal pools, and his
gang often bunked off school to go swimming.
One blustery day Martin misjudged his
dive and the whirlpool dragged him down to certain death, but Petey took a deep
breath and jumped after him.
The others counted two long minutes
before he dragged Martin ashore, unconscious but alive.
.........................................................................
Dale Rogerson's photograph of lights made me think of whirlpools - such is my weird imagination! Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers on her blog https://rochellewisoff.com/ from whence you can follow the link to read more short stories and see what other writers made of the prompt.
Well done, Petey!
ReplyDeleteIt just goes to show that no talent, however odd, is wasted!
DeletePetey got his practice in early. Nice take Lizy.
ReplyDeleteThaks Iain.
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to now that Petey's propensity for holding his breath saved a life. Well done. I love where your 'weird imagination' took you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you Rochelle.
DeletePetey's temper has its upside. Creative take on the prompt!
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, Karen.
DeleteGreat story. A strong will can be such a valuable asset!
ReplyDeleteMy granddaughter doesn't hold her breath, thank goodness, but she's definitely got a mind of her own!
DeleteWonderfully different take on the prompt, Liz. To think Petey's "talent" saved his friend...
ReplyDeletePetey will grow up to be a leader.
DeletePositive take on that terrifying breath-holding thing that some children do. Petey turns it into an asset and saves a life. Brilliant. Message from Jilly, Sugar on the Bee.
ReplyDeleteI count myself lucky that none of my four did that!
DeleteBrilliant photo choice. How lucky they both made it out alive.
ReplyDeleteOne hopes Petey and his friends will be more careful in future, but somehow I doubt it.
DeleteI do see why the lights made you think of tidal pools. I must be odd too!
ReplyDeleteThank you Patsy - I think all writers are a bit odd. Why else would we put ourselves up to be knocked down on a regular basis? :)
DeleteGreat for Martin that Petey was there.
ReplyDeleteHe was a very lucky boy.
DeleteNot just a self-willed teenager but a hero. What a brave act, to go after his friend knowing how dangerous it was.
ReplyDeleteIt was - he'll go far.
Deletelucky for him to be alive. hopefully, he learned his lesson.
ReplyDeleteHopefully!!
DeleteEven the worst of habits come in handy sometimes, and the 'worst' of people come good at times of need. Great story.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what other situations would need that particular talent?
DeleteHe'd been in training for that day since babyhood :-)
ReplyDeleteHe had - I wonder which of my own children's weird habits will come in handy one day?
DeleteYou never know when you can put your weird talents to good use. Great take on the prompt, Liz.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gah!
DeleteProbably waiting for this moment since he was in nappies. Nice take on the prompt. I like your new blog template too.
ReplyDeleteThank you on both counts.
DeleteHaha...cute story!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dawn - they were both lucky.
DeleteGreat little story, Liz. I like your unusual interpretation of the photo prompt. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan
Delete