He stepped through the front door, taking care to bang his sneakers on the tiles to be heard above the TV. He knew the police had phoned his dad about the mugging.
It’s not like he expected special treatment or anything, he knew better than that, but he hoped anyway.
Maybe one of those quick, awkward hugs people give like they’re touching a snake. One of those would be nice.
He tensed as his father’s boots sounded in the hallway, cringed as they got closer. He waited.
His father stopped a few feet away, staring, eyes taking in the ripped clothing and black eye. His arms reached out, touching the torn, blood-stained coat. “No wonder they didn’t take this thing,” he laughed. “Hope you have enough money to pay for a new jacket,” he walked back to the couch.
This is part of a weekly writing prompt hosted by Sacha Black.
Writespiration #91 Prompt: The hug you’ve always wanted
Lemon Shark Reef 
Ouch. That sort of distance is more than an arms length but it only takes an arms length to emphasise it.
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Perfect description of this kind of distance.
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“Maybe one of those quick, awkward hugs people give like they’re touching a snake. One of those would be nice.”……this description. Wow, Sarah….that is such an amazing description of that action and it rings out like a crystal bell in the middle of this piece. So well done. 💕 #mast
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What a lovely comment. Made my day. Thanks so much. ❤️
(Most of us have experienced that kind of hug. It’s painful.) #mast
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Indeed it is..and always leaves me feeling “what are you so afraid of?” Powerful.
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You’d get a big bear hug from me. Just saying. 🙂 (Though that might be awkward, too.)
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ha! I’ll take that awkwardness always! 🙂
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million percent agree. What a one liner. Cracking. Some people can just capture a moment. I can’t. I wish I could write like that.
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Thanks, lovely lady. 💖 Hey, maybe you feel like you can’t capture a moment but you can finish a novel.
Sacha: 1
Sarah: 0
And I’ve read your writing so… No self-depreciation allowed.
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“Maybe one of those quick, awkward hugs people give like they’re touching a snake.” perfect anchor in the center of the story.
The short “One of those would be nice.” tagged on just right. Nothing more needed to be said (for that paragraph). I have everything I need to slip into the finishing of the tale. 🙂
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I so appreciate this comment. You have such an eye for beauty, such a way with words, I’m thrilled this piece worked. Thank you. 🙂
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Pingback: Writespiration #92 First and Last lines | Sacha Black
He knows his dad well.
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Unfortunately.
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