Photo Credit: S Writings
“Sarah! Sarah!” she called, but the ‘boom, boom, boom’ of the marching band’s drum section was deafening.
Deb’s heart was racing. She retraced their steps, through the crowds toward the town square. The last people she wanted to involve was the police, but she was desperate.
“Sir,” Deb pleaded to the officer, “I’ve lost my 5 year-old. Her name is Sarah. I’ve looked everywhere. I can’t find her!”
“You said her name was Sarah?”
“Yes, Sarah…she’s 5. She has a pink t-shirt…and blue jeans.”
“Well that might explain this note. We found it attached to one of the painted display cows.”
The officer watched Deb intently as she read, “I have Sarah, Deb. You know she belongs with me. The courts awarded me custody. Jon”
“Is the note true, ma’am?”
“Yes…” Deb mumbled in defeat.
“I think you better come with me. Jon is pressing charges.”
kat ~ 29 March 2016
(173 Words)
A story for FFfAW (Flash Fiction for the Aspiring Writer) Photo Prompt. Thanks to PJ (Priceless Joy) for hosting. Read other stories HERE.
like mercury colliding... 
March 30th, 2016 at 12:29 am
Oh. Wow. A unique and heartpumping take, Kat!:) Nicely done. The twists and turns are surprising and stunning!
LikeLike
March 30th, 2016 at 12:31 am
Thank you Rosema. It was a slightly different take. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30th, 2016 at 12:41 am
Different great take it is. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30th, 2016 at 12:42 am
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30th, 2016 at 1:21 am
Oh, maybe she was just too lonely. A mother couldn’t stand being away from her child, right? That would be painful. I hope they could find better ways to work it out without pressing charges. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30th, 2016 at 2:23 am
It can become quite complicated and definitely heartbreaking. 🙁
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30th, 2016 at 7:44 am
Oh, that’s terrible…
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30th, 2016 at 12:11 pm
Yes…especially for the children. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30th, 2016 at 11:35 pm
This is so true, Kat…
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30th, 2016 at 6:46 am
Aw, in a way I find it sad cause the fact that Deb asked the police for help means, she really loves her daughter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30th, 2016 at 6:47 am
Yes…custody battles are often heartbreaking!
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30th, 2016 at 8:34 am
Great take on the photo prompt, Kat! That was a very realistic tension build up with a great twist at the end! Loved it!! (I feel sorry for the mother).
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30th, 2016 at 12:15 pm
Thanks PJ! Several folks have felt sad for the mother. My take-away is that the mother likely needs help (rather than jail time)…judges don’t award custody away from mothers unless there is a reason. Sad regardless…especially for the kids!
LikeLike
March 30th, 2016 at 12:20 pm
Yes, it is very sad for the kids (and the mother).
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30th, 2016 at 10:45 am
Great take on the prompt… I was concerned for thw child but glad that she is in better hands😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30th, 2016 at 12:17 pm
Thank Shivangi. Those were my thoughts too as I wrote it. Mother’s in my country (USA) don’t lose custody for no reason…she likely needs intervention and help of some kind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30th, 2016 at 12:57 pm
I am glad USA has great laws to protect its citizens😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30th, 2016 at 1:00 pm
Like anyplace, some are great…some could use some improvements.:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30th, 2016 at 3:13 pm
Wonderful story and a great twist at the end. I might add..it’s not necessarily due to a woman needing intervention, or whatever when she loses custody….that use to be the case in the U. S. but not any more. The father receives custody as well. In some cases, he has the money and the best lawyers, and that is just one example.
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30th, 2016 at 3:16 pm
You are right about that JC. Sad but true. The former is just where my mind was headed. (I have witnessed two recent instances where the mother was not mentally fit to care for the children) but as you say, money talks! 🙁
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30th, 2016 at 5:04 pm
I love it. I too feel great sympathy for the mother but we need to wait until you expand this to a novelette to find out the reasons behind the decision!
I would like custody of the cows please!
LikeLiked by 2 people
March 30th, 2016 at 5:27 pm
Oh yes! I do love those cows!!! ❤️
LikeLike
March 30th, 2016 at 5:13 pm
Kat, can I just say that courts will only award custody against the mother if there is a compelling reason for it. In my case I was the only parent who offered a stable home and wanted (still do) the very best for my children. Their mothers were both psychotic and wanted to use my children to hurt me, not because they loved them. Says a hell of a lot about me that I picked really bad women to have kids with.
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30th, 2016 at 5:23 pm
I have seen this to be true Dave. At least that has been my understanding of it. Like another person mentioned money and power talk too. Which might result in the mother who has less connections and resources to lose in court. Bless you for stepping up as a single dad! Wishing you and your family well! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 31st, 2016 at 1:10 am
Thank you, both my children are grown up and I lost touch with my daughter in 1997, my son still comes to see me a few times a year which I am pleased that he still calls.
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 31st, 2016 at 1:14 am
Families can be so complicated…
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 31st, 2016 at 1:22 am
Yes, you can choose your friends but family you are stuck with, xoxo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30th, 2016 at 6:39 pm
Oh no! Not a good situation at all. Jon still shouldn’t have taken the little girl. And Deb shouldn’t have her ifs he ever hopes to get visitation. Awful scenario, but I guess u just try to do what’s best for the little girl in the circumstances you’re given. Well written.
LikeLike
March 30th, 2016 at 6:53 pm
Ouch! 😦 But I love the alliteration you start the story off with.
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30th, 2016 at 7:17 pm
Big word! Had to look that one up. Thanks R. I love word play. Now I know the name for it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30th, 2016 at 9:48 pm
Wow! Oh my goodness Kat! I can see this growing into a captivating short story. Awesome work!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30th, 2016 at 10:08 pm
Thank you Jazzy! 😊
LikeLike
March 30th, 2016 at 11:12 pm
Whew, that was a twist at the end. But glad the child ended up where she legally belonged. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 31st, 2016 at 4:43 pm
Wow did not see that coming!
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 31st, 2016 at 6:57 pm
A bit of a twist! 😜
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 31st, 2016 at 7:52 pm
Yes for sure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 1st, 2016 at 11:09 am
Riveting story…and so sad. Especially for Sarah.
LikeLike
April 1st, 2016 at 11:26 am
Yes and also confusing for her! Thanks for the comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person