The loyalty of men
By Noo
- 904 reads
Loyal man 1
He’ll be home soon, little one. He’ll be home soon. Don’t cry. Papa will be back. You know he loves you. Move away from the window, don’t glare into the sun. He’ll be back. I know he’ll be back.
And the little boy watched as his father crossed the dusty road and disappeared round the corner of the street.
Loyal man 2
Kid, I don’t think it’s for you. Get a job, keep off the streets. Staying in school ain’t going to be your thing. You have to ask yourself what would be the point? Don’t try and reach for what you can’t ever attain.
And the boy watched as the teacher picked up his pile of books and walked out of the classroom.
Loyal man 3
Tell the truth, you little punk. I swear to God, kids like you make me sick. I’ve told you, give up the others and you won’t end up in juvey. I promise. Do the right thing and I’ll see things go well for you.
And the boy watched as the cop took a drink of his coffee and slammed out of the interview room.
Loyal man 4
Hold still, I won’t hurt you. It never hurts so bad after the first time. Just keep still and think about what your accommodating nature is buying you here. Sweetheart, in this place, you need friends.
And the boy stared straight ahead, watching nothing as the guy he shared a cell with took away his childhood.
Loyal man 5
With you, on these streets, I feel a brotherhood I’ve felt nowhere else. This life, this blood, brings us together. What you ask, you know I’ll do. I love you, mano.
And the young man hugged his companero long and hard, before they took the guns and went out on the streets.
Loyal man 6
Are you there? Have you ever been there? You take away what matters to me and yet you want me to believe in you. I don’t believe in you. I don’t believe in shit.
And the young man spat on the floor of the church and walked out in to the rain falling on Mexico City at dusk.
Loyal man 7
He’ll be home soon, little one. He’ll be home soon. Don’t cry. Papa will be back. You know he loves you. Move away from the window, don’t glare into the sun. He’ll be back. I know he’ll be back.
And the man turned round to look at his little boy, framed by the window of their house, and then he crossed the dusty road and disappeared round the corner of the street.
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Comments
Love this! Interesting
Love this! Interesting structure with the separate headings. Portrays well the cycle of abandonment from childhood and how it affects the characters life in a devastating way. ..then carried on...
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Sad and thoughtful, and
Sad and thoughtful, and leaves you wondering how you break this cycle. I too thought the structure was very effective.
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It's terribly sad. The
It's terribly sad. The repetitive structure stays with you.
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