Flash Fiction: “Child Conversations”

I wrote this piece about two years ago for one of my English classes. After reading a short story with one-sided dialogue, my professor told the class to write a story with the same structure. As someone who loves kids, I decided to make a young boy the speaker of my story. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Mommy? Mommy, I’m hungry. Can I have a snack?

Thank you. 

Mommy, look what I made! It’s a cracker tower.

Why can’t I play with my food?

Okay, Mommy.

What are crackers made of? I like crackers. Tommy had crackers with his lunch today. Mommy, can I have cookies for lunch tomorrow? Tommy had one today. Please, can I?

But why not? Tommy always gets things that I don’t. 

Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry.

Yeah, we did a lot of things in school today. We sounded out more words and played outside and drew a picture. 

Mommy? Mommy, can I show you my picture? Here it is. This is our house, and this is you. You’re waiting for me to come home from school. This is me getting off the bus. See my teddy? I’m holding him in the picture. 

Miss Lisa told me I can’t bring my teddy to school anymore. I don’t like Miss Lisa. Today, I tried to draw a nice picture for her on my desk, but she got angry. Yesterday, she yelled at me when I stood on my chair to raise my hand.

Yes, I try to be good, Mommy, but it’s hard.

Mommy, what are all these papers for? They have a lot of words on them. What’s this word?

What does overdue mean? 

Mommy, why are your eyes red? Are you sick, Mommy? Your eyes are all puffy. Don’t be sad. I love you.