On Addiction

[Stephen Torelli]

He was only seven but he knew what to do when mama came home. He would lock the door, turn off the light and not make a sound. He wouldn’t even watch television or listen to music while she slept. And when the phone rang he wouldn’t answer and just watched mama breathe. When she awakened he whispered, “Please stop,” and all she would say is, “When I get a little stronger, but I love you so much.” 

Twenty years later and after mama finds religion she whispers to her son, “Please stop,” and all he ever says is, “When I get a little stronger, yet I love you so much.”    

 

[Jenny]

You have woven the love and the pain tightly together, as it is.

[Teresa]

Sad but true in too many cases.  Of my siblings and myself, only one of us inherited the curse of addiction.  It contributed to his death, for sure.  Beautiful writing here.  Sad topic.

[Kristine_ES]

yes. very hard to comment. incredibly well written, emotional. can see it all.

[Sandy P]

Wow this is very powerful Stephen. Nicely written.

[Sandra Davies]

It doesn't even have to be addiction - parental influence is so all-pervading and important yet we are all beginners, learners when we start and, mostly, don't have a clue about the lasting influence of anything we do or don't do, no matter how well-intentioned.

[Diana E. Backhouse]

Well worded six, Stephen.

[Andrea Schnitzler]

Children following in their parents' footsteps. I immediately thought of Harry Chapin's "Cat's in the Cradle." It's the same sort of story. That song always haunted me, especially after Harry Chapin died at such a young age. As with your story, it wistfully describes how hard it is to unlearn what our parents teach us.

[Angela]

I think a lot lately about what goes on that we don't see (or want to see).  Your work here is gentle and touching, and I wonder how many people will see their own story in it.  Nicely done.

[Toby Tucker Hecht]

The circle of life.  Very well written.