End of an Era

Wiinner---9/4/08

ID: 896794   (Rated: 13+) Daily Flash Fiction Challenge  Enter your story of 300 words or less. Note new starting time! by arakun the twisted raccoon

         “Hurry, Matthew, We can’t be late,” I urged as my little boy sat up and rubbed his eyes.

         “I’m going to real school today!” he shouted. He meant the school the big kids went to, not his pre K anymore. I helped him get dressed and tied his sneakers. He’s so little, I thought. He’s my baby! He still needs me to tie his shoes!

         I watched him brush his teeth and wondered how did he get so big all of a sudden?

         He looked at the name tag I pinned to his shirt. He said. “It says Matthew! So everybody will know who I am.”

         He is so smart. He can read his name.

         The school was a busy place, so many people so many other kids. Where is the shy toddler who hid behind my skirt?

         I watched him go and introduce himself to another boy. I suddenly saw him strong and independent, becoming his own person. He was impatient for this exciting new thing to begin for him. He was already too big to kiss Mommy in front of his new guy friends. He waved to me as if to say “Good by, I’ll take it from here.”

         I thought he would cry and cling to me or be shy or afraid. No, he wasn’t the one who was crying! All of a sudden my baby was gone and in his place stood this confident little person, happily waving goodbye!

         It’s what I wanted. I wanted him to be fearless and ready for anything. So why am I crying?

265 words