"To Traumatic Childhoods"
Start writing a post
Relationships

"To Traumatic Childhoods"

Fictional vignettes on coping with dysfunction – one generation at a time.

249
"To Traumatic Childhoods"
Daniel MacDonald/Getty

He sits, alone, with only a cake to keep him company.

His wife succumbed to some ailment or another long ago, as did each of his siblings. Friends came and went, never staying in one place for too long. The kids didn’t bother with keeping contact; neither did the grandkids.

Paper birthday crown perched atop his head, Eugene takes a long drawl of a cigarette which will ultimately kill him, just like it killed his beloved Grace.

Not that he cares. Seventy years was more than enough time to be saddled with specters who pushed all but a select few away for their own amusement and his “benefit." What was the point of living another day when no one was there to commiserate?


"Daddy, why can’t I see Grandpa?”

The question, however innocent, catches Miles off-guard. Why didn’t they see his father more often?

Perhaps it was because Eugene was far from the ideal grandfather – or father, for that matter. Sardonic, silver-tongued, uptight, cynical. Critical of everyone and everything.

It wasn’t that Miles’s childhood was unhappy, per say – just that the happy memories were overwritten by the all-too common sights of lovingly scribbled cards and pictures tossed aside with indifference; of parents fighting and putting up false pretenses to uphold the impossible illusion of suburban bliss; of lonely days and lonelier nights.

His parents had their demons, as do everyone. The only difference was that theirs were too great to be contained.

He snaps out of melancholia pulling at his sleeve, at Deniella proudly showing him a birthday card she made for Eugene.

A tear rolls down his cheek as he sets the card on the table and holds Deniella tight. Perhaps, perhaps, it was time to forgive.


It’s been a long, long day, and all Benji wants now is a drink. He meets up with Carolyn at the bar downtown. Usually Miles and Alessa joined them in this tradition of celebration and commiseration amongst siblings, but they were gallivanting god-knows-where on this particular night.

“So… how do you like you new therapist?” Carolyn asks right off the bat as she sips her cocktail – virgin strawberry daiquiri ("don't wanna risk it, given the genes," she always said).

A raised eyebrow. “Very... Freudian. As soon as I unload my life story he tells me with a straight face I had a traumatic childhood.”

“Ugh. Traumatic? Are you kidding? And considering how much you've grown – how much we've all grown, really – it's kinda belittling.”

“Tell me about it.” Therapy was a godsend, both could agree, but the number of professionals who simply did not get their family was astounding.

“Well then." She rolls her eyes. “A toast to traumatic childhoods that keep our therapists rolling in money.”

“To traumatic childhoods." He grins before clinking glasses in commiseration.


Alessa stares up at the sky, her cat Damien curled up against her.

She thinks of fairy tales Eugene and Grace told her long ago, of princesses escaping from the grasp of villainous hags, and princes who went on quests to slay terrible beasts.

She thinks of adventures in the woods with Miles, Carolyn, and Benji, where a princess could slay a dragon and a prince could be trapped in a tower; where everyone was on an even playing field and anything was possible.

She thinks of the thousands of words she scribbled down when she learned that the world isn’t so accepting or accommodating. She thinks of the stories she penned when she and her siblings came home one night to stares of disapproval and harsh words and banishment from their imaginary kingdom, because they were "too old to be playing fairy games."

Indifference. Neglect. That’s what led her to find solace in the written word, to forge her own reality and help others find their own.

That, at least, was a bit more bearable than accepting the bitter truth.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

53168
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

34167
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956768
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181538
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments