Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Trifecta Challenge: Club



Howdy. Things have been crazy around these parts and I'm just trying to keep my head above water right now. But I was able to write a little something for the Trifecta Challenge. This week's word is club. Enjoy.


1a : a heavy usually tapering staff especially of wood wielded as a weapon
 b : a stick or bat used to hit a ball in any of various games
 c : something resembling a club
2a : a playing card marked with a stylized figure of a black clover
  b : plural but sing or plural in constr : the suit comprising cards marked with clubs
3a : an association of persons for some common object usually jointly supported and meeting periodically; also : a group identified by some common characteristic   
- See more at: http://www.trifectawritingchallenge.com/#sthash.gKv4Ct2i.dpuf
CLUB
1a : a heavy usually tapering staff especially of wood wielded as a weapon
 b : a stick or bat used to hit a ball in any of various games
 c : something resembling a club
2a : a playing card marked with a stylized figure of a black clover
  b : plural but sing or plural in constr : the suit comprising cards marked with clubs
3a : an association of persons for some common object usually jointly supported and meeting periodically; also : a group identified by some common characteristic   
- See more at: http://www.trifectawritingchallenge.com/#sthash.gKv4Ct2i.dpuf
CLUB
1a : a heavy usually tapering staff especially of wood wielded as a weapon
 b : a stick or bat used to hit a ball in any of various games
 c : something resembling a club
2a : a playing card marked with a stylized figure of a black clover
  b : plural but sing or plural in constr : the suit comprising cards marked with clubs
3a : an association of persons for some common object usually jointly supported and meeting periodically; also : a group identified by some common characteristic   
- See more at: http://www.trifectawritingchallenge.com/#sthash.gKv4Ct2i.dpuf
CLUB
1a : a heavy usually tapering staff especially of wood wielded as a weapon
 b : a stick or bat used to hit a ball in any of various games
 c : something resembling a club
2a : a playing card marked with a stylized figure of a black clover
  b : plural but sing or plural in constr : the suit comprising cards marked with clubs
3a : an association of persons for some common object usually jointly supported and meeting periodically; also : a group identified by some common characteristic   
- See more at: http://www.trifectawritingchallenge.com/#sthash.gKv4Ct2i.dpuf
CLUB
1a : a heavy usually tapering staff especially of wood wielded as a weapon
 b : a stick or bat used to hit a ball in any of various games
 c : something resembling a club
2a : a playing card marked with a stylized figure of a black clover
  b : plural but sing or plural in constr : the suit comprising cards marked with clubs
3a : an association of persons for some common object usually jointly supported and meeting periodically; also : a group identified by some common characteristic   
- See more at: http://www.trifectawritingchallenge.com/#sthash.gKv4Ct2i.dpuf
1a : a heavy usually tapering staff especially of wood wielded as a weapon
 b : a stick or bat used to hit a ball in any of various games
 c : something resembling a club
2a : a playing card marked with a stylized figure of a black clover
  b : plural but sing or plural in constr : the suit comprising cards marked with clubs
3a : an association of persons for some common object usually jointly supported and meeting periodically; also : a group identified by some common characteristic   
- See more at: http://www.trifectawritingchallenge.com/#sthash.gKv4Ct2i.dpuf
1a : a heavy usually tapering staff especially of wood wielded as a weapon
 b : a stick or bat used to hit a ball in any of various games
 c : something resembling a club
2a : a playing card marked with a stylized figure of a black clover
  b : plural but sing or plural in constr : the suit comprising cards marked with clubs
3a : an association of persons for some common object usually jointly supported and meeting periodically; also : a group identified by some common characteristic   
- See more at: http://www.trifectawritingchallenge.com/#sthash.gKv4Ct2i.dpuf
1a : a heavy usually tapering staff especially of wood wielded as a weapon
 b : a stick or bat used to hit a ball in any of various games
 c : something resembling a club
2a : a playing card marked with a stylized figure of a black clover
  b : plural but sing or plural in constr : the suit comprising cards marked with clubs
3a : an association of persons for some common object usually jointly supported and meeting periodically; also : a group identified by some common characteristic   
- See more at: http://www.trifectawritingchallenge.com/#sthash.gKv4Ct2i.dpuf

*****************************************************************
 
At first, I doubt I’m in the right place.  The place is too cheery and comforting for the meeting.  But then 
I start looking around at the faces milling around and I know.  We can spot our own kind.

It’s the hang dog faces and that look of pain that lies just beneath the surface.  The scars that are hidden away from our neighbors, our cube mates, the person who pours our coffee every morning are painfully obvious to those of us in the room.  Maybe it’s a locket we keep touching, or a spot in our chest we keep rubbing, or something that resides in a pocket we constantly reach for. All the tell-tale signs are there when you know what you’re looking for.

For me it’s a scar just above my right wrist. I compulsively brush my thumb against, like it’s a rubbing stone.  I have ever since…. It doesn’t do me any good but that doesn’t stop me from continuing to touch it.  To stop, I walk over to the carafe and pour myself some coffee.

Someone has started talking and everyone starts grabbing seats.  I find a seat in the back next to an older lady who smiles gently at me. I keep telling myself I just want to watch and listen.  Maybe I’ll share some other time.  One by one, everyone tells their story. I’m heartbroken and moved with each telling.

Before I know it, it’s my turn.  The older lady nods and pats my hand, noticing my resistance to share. I don’t know what to say, and then the words come out. I tell them about my son, how he was born and how he died. I save the story about the scar for another time. A catharsis happens. I’m suddenly lighter than when I walked in.

“Thank you for sharing that with our parent bereavement support group.” The moderator says.

“Welcome to the club,” The older lady said, with an odd smile. What a club.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, I do hope this is fiction. I like that you didn't come straight out and tell us (until the end) what the support group was for; you hinted at it with gestures. I loved this line: "A catharsis happens. I’m suddenly lighter than when I walked in." A sad, yet unexpectedly hopefully story... Thanks for sharing! ~Christine (Trifecta Guest Judge)

Anonymous said...

I hope this is fiction too. So well-written. The gestures are what pulled me in. Thank you for this.

Draug said...

This hits right in the heart. )':

Unknown said...

Brilliantly told and hits like a hammer. Thank you.

kymm said...

The descriptions are so universal they can speak to anyone in need of therapy.
Love the brief allusions to the wrist.
Great piece!

The Bloody Munchkin said...

Thanks everybody. Just an FYI, this is semi-autobiographical. I do have a scar on my wrist that reminds me of my son and I do brush against it occasionally. I also have attended a child bereavement support group.

kymm said...

So sorry. You have my deepest sympathy.