January 14, 2020, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about dressing up. It can be a child or another character. Be playful or go where the prompt leads!
Mirror Of Hope – by Hugh W. Roberts
Despite the bruises, Andrew admired himself in the mirror. A princess looked back at him.
“Don’t forget your shoes.”
The red high heeled shoes, although too big, complemented his mother’s burgundy dress he had on.
“You’re pretty,” remarked the princess.
The faint noise of his father’s car’s unexpected arrival caused panic in Andrew and the princess.
“Hide behind me,” yelled the princess, “before he beats you again.”
Crouching behind the mirror, he tried making himself invisible.
As the smell of alcohol and the unbuckling of his father’s belt reached him, tears made their escape down the young boy’s face.
Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch. Click here to join in.
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Hugh's Views & News 
Sad story, Hugh. Too real!!
Sadly yes, Marsha. Even in the world of today, this kind of thing still happens.
Some people are wicked, Hugh, and I guess that is not going to change on a wholesale scale. Individuals may change. Even acceptance may change, violence remains. I wish it was different.
Oh dear, that’s such a sad story, Hugh. The boy doesn’t deserve a father like that. No one does.
I agree, Norah. So sad that it still happens in today’s world.
It does, Hugh. I wonder how many generations it will take for that to change.
I think we’re slowly getting to when it will happen, Norah. But still, a long way to go.
I agree, Hugh.
How a short story brought tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat. Thank you Hugh.
I’m glad it did because that tells me that my writing evoked emotion when you read it. That’s lovely feedback, thank you.
It did Hugh! And I practiced a piece relating to the next flash fiction! Although I didn’t share, it was fun.
I’m so pleased you had a go at writing some flash fiction. We’d be delighted for you to join us over at the Carrot Ranch. You’ll find me there most weeks.
Thank you Hugh! Keep safe.
Oh, how stark and tragic, Hugh. This broke my heart.
Thanks, Diana. I’m glad it broke your heart because that tells me that my writing produced emotion with the reader.
Full of feeling, Hugh. It doesn’t take a lot of words, just the right ones. 🙂
Poignant telling of how we can become our own best protectors, our true selves. ❤
Thank you, Liz.
Well that was dark, but very well told. ❤
Thank you, Debby.
I knew as I stepped over your threshold, somthing remarkable was about to be read. Words, the correctly placed and emotionally laden words can still have the power to make me gasp. You literally took my breath away. Xxx
Aww, thanks so much, Ellen. This was a difficult piece of flash fiction to write, but I was helped by putting myself back in Andrew’s place.
This is a princess I believe in, one that remained and thrived.
Yes, that princess went on to become a fine young man, Charli.
How many children have these experiences? More than we’ll ever know. This simple, yet powerful story (or truth?) is perhaps reality for many, Hugh. I remember my little brother always wore an old towel around his neck like a superhero cape. However he mostly wore it in front and told us it had just slipped. It wasn’t until years later as an adult that he admitted he wore it that way on purpose. We all just need to be who we know we are.
Sadly, it’s a reality that many don’t want to talk about, Terri. And even when it does come out in the open, there is still an ’embarrassment’ about what is being discussed. It should never be like that.
Your younger brother’s story is one that, somewhere, will be being played out today. I believe that talking and writing about it goes some way to help those who suffer at others’ hands. Thank you for sharing your brother’s story with us.
So sad and unfortunately true in many instances. You did a great job in 99 words.
Thank you, Darlene. It was not easy to write, and this version is so different from the original I wrote.
Oh!this is so painful to read. You have touched my heart ❤️
Painful and sadly true, Willow. Thanks so much for reading it, though. 💜
I cannot understand people who cannot just accept and love their children for what they are try to beat them down to something they will never be. 💜💜💜
Me neither, Willow, especially because it has never worked.
Never has and never will, we are what we are 💜
So terrible that this is just too real!
And often hidden for a long time before it becomes visible, Erika. It’s hard to believe how one human can be so terrible towards another, especially when it’s family.
And that gets topped by the fact that that human is supposed to take care and protect the other one. I will never understand how they can live with what they have done.
I agree with D. Avery, that’s a lot of powerful emotion to pack into 99 words. My heart hurts for that little guy.
It’s a tough and challenging subject to write about, Aimer. The 99-word limit challenged me even more. But I’m pleased with how I used all those words to get Andrew’s story over.
Wow! That’s very powerful, Hugh.
Thanks, Esther. Sometimes, real-life events make words compelling.
That’s so true.
Somehow there is hope for this tenacious little princess. You wrung a big story full of emotions out of your allotted 99 words.
I love these 99-words challenges, D. They really help eliminate lots of the redundant parts of stories. This little princess grew up into someone special.
I agree! It’s a terrific challenge. I tend to need some sort of restraint, sentence or word count, to help me focus the story.
I had a feeling about that character.