Johnny

Photo credit : Phylor

Written as part of a challenge called Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. Details can be found at,  https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2016/06/06/fffaw-challenge-week-of-06-07-2016/

Johnny was a dark child.  His antics he was told would be his downfall.   Charm and good looks fade fast, mother reminded him over and over again.  He would dance at the edge of trouble.   Smiles for everyone.   If someone caught on to his game, sorry I didn’t realize what I have done worked like a charm.

One day, his path crossed old lady Murphy.  The wretch of a woman.  Her house sank of metal fumes.   Strange smoke would hang over her house.  She needed a boy for moving things.   Good pay and for two days anyone could handle her.

“Mrs Murphy? How could these are all kids?  These bronze pieces?”  Johnny chooses to inquire rather than move them.

“I can handle kid size.  If I could move ’em all.   I’d do it and not have to talk to you about it! When get them moved clean the plasticine out of that cement box.  I’ll get you lunch.”  Mrs Murphy disappears.

She comes back with soup and a ham sandwich.   He grabs in and sits in the cement box. Next to him a some pile of plasticine acts as a backrest.   He is asleep in minutes.

Mrs Murphy kicks him twice.   Then mixes the plasticine for the next bronze work.  She’ll call his mother and ask where he is.   Just like the others.

The next day she casts her bronze.  Johnny’s mom drops by to ask about her son.  A small creaking noise fills the room.

Mrs Murphy looks at her new bronze.  The arms fall away from body.

“That boy couldn’t even work as a statue!”