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Weekend Writing Warrior 6/26/16 #8Sunday

coverLet’s continue with the five-part story I’ve been posting from this month, “A Family Tradition,” in my short story collection, The Futility of Loving a Soldier.

Background: Joos, who served in WWI (and whose story is told in the first part of “A Family Tradition”), is estranged from his son Maarten, a man who served during WWII and has spent his life battling his father’s legacy, as conveyed by his single mother, Ophélie. Joos has shown up at Maarten’s house, but Maarten isn’t sure if he’s ready to reconcile.

* * * * * * *

“It’s a lot to ask, so out of the blue,” Joos said, “ but at the least, I’d like to see my grandsons. I can only guess at what you’ve told them, and I want them to know who I really am.”

Who was Joos, really? Nothing but an old soldier making up excuses for missed chances and regretted choices. Maarten brushed aside the similarities crowding his mind, focusing instead on the picture his mother had always painted. He would never be like Joos.

“I bet we have a lot in common, Maarten.”

He stared at his father, his face hardening. How dare this man come here now, thinking they were anything alike!

* * * * * * *

My grandfather during WWII

My grandfather during WWII

The Futility of Loving a Soldier is on sale for just $.99 (regularly $3.99) – pick up a copy to read more about Joos and Maarten, as well as how the legacy extends through three more generations of sons. Available everywhere – Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Kobo, and Smashwords

Then post a link to your eight sentences blog entry, or join the fun at the Weekend Writing Warriors website.

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11 Comments

  1. Oh, I bet they are more alike than he wants to admit. Nice snippet!

  2. Tough situation for Maarten. I agree with Jessica that they are more alike than he realizes.

  3. I just have a feeling that Maarten really needs to know what his father wants to tell him. You’re doing a terrific job of building up the foreboding. Great excerpt!

  4. Ooh, now I’m even more curious about Joos’s story!

  5. I suspect Joos is actually a good guy … which makes me wonder why he hasn’t been around before now.

  6. The friction between father and son is so real.

  7. I knew Maarten wouldn’t want to think they are alike. I hope he can get past what his mother told him and see Joos for who he really is.

  8. Loving this story! Family dynamics are always so intriguing to me. Great snippet!

  9. Excellent dynamics. The conversation has very strong undercurrents, which cone across clearly. Nicely done.

  10. Ooo, nice piece of family disharmony, but I get the feeling they are more alike than Maartin wants to admit.

  11. Wow…what everyone else said, ED. You’ve picked the prefect snippet to draw readers in. It took only a few sentences for me to really want to know what happens now. Well done!

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