SHATTERING THE DARKNESS

A fictional write about life in the Ghetto.

 
Her neighborhood was the poorest of poor
but being the oldest of nine had its advantages...
though she never seemed able to recite them.

Tanisha found solace in the company of a small
gray cat that followed her home from school,
successfully hiding it in her near-empty closet and
shared scraps of food from what her mother
called meals with him. Cat...that was the name she had
given him, having no use for imagination or forethought.
The look of appreciation on Cat's angelic face for the
tinniest bit of nourishment was ample reward for a
constantly growling stomach.

The others who shared her sleeping room promised
to keep Cat's presence a secret because they too enjoyed
the presence of another living thing but they could not
bring themselves to share any of their own food.

When Mother left for ''work'' in the evenings, Tanisha
felt relief at being able to put the others to bed early
to escape the boredom of their sparse surroundings.

Awakened from sleep by the common sounds of gunfire
shattering the darkness, she rose with methodical numbness
moving her sleeping bag a safer distance from the open window.

Reviews

[Valentine]

Things like this are happening far to often in inner cities. Mothers are the sole heads of households and children are left alone too young..Kudos..Valentine

[Miss Sharon]

Thanks so much Kathie for the nice review. ~Sharon

[Valentine]

You a more than welcome. Kathie

[~]

A realistic view on poverty and its side effects on the precious lives of people who don't have a choice but to be part of it. Very honestly written.

[Miss Sharon]

Thank you for your kind remarks! ~Sharon

[Tom]

Makes one appreciate the finer things in life......a humbling, compassionate short story !

[Miss Sharon]

Thank you so much Tom for your very kind and compassionate review. I am grateful this is a fictional write and truly think there are many, many things that should not be the way they are in our affluent society. ~Sharon

[Samuel Dickens]

Very good. I knew poverty when growing up, but am really glad I didn't live in a big city like Tanisha, where I'm sure things were much harder. At least Cat will give dependable love.

[Miss Sharon]

Thank you for your kind review Samuel. ~Sharon

[Jamestown]

Lived in Long Beach California, I know and understand this life
and it's not easy but does make one very tough skinned
Thanks for sharing and b-blessed!

[Miss Sharon]

Thank you for the kind review my friend...and I'm sorry this was once part of your lifestyle. God bless always. ~Sharon