This post was written in response to Charli Mills Flash Fiction Challenge over at Carrot Ranch
October 7, 2015 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a thief or a theft. Consider motives and repercussions. Is the act a matter of perception? Is it a daring maneuver or a desperate bid for survival? Think about different instances of stealing. Respond by October 13, 2015 to be included in the weekly compilation. Rules are here. All writers are welcome!
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The Dress Thief
Cristina held her father’s wasted hand as he limped along, head bent and soul shattered.
He glimpsed at a woman across the street, squeezed his eyelids to hold back the tears, and pulled his daughter’s hand firmly.
‘Don’t look,’ he pleaded, but the child hurled his hand, jumped on the woman, scratched her face and spit, ‘Thief!’
Cristina tore the buttons of her dress like a wild cat. ‘It was my mother’s!’
‘She doesn’t need it in the graveyard!’
‘Take it off!’
‘Your family left when the soldiers came!’
‘We’re back now and it’s mine!’
‘Nothing is yours anymore!’
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My mother once told me about a similar event happening when she was a child in post civil-war Spain. The dress symbolizes the loss of her mother, her family and the life she led. The members of Cristina’s family who survived were robbed of their possessions, family, childhood, dreams, and self-respect.
Sometimes theft is considered acceptable, or even sanctioned, and thieves can steal a lot more than objects.
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Would you like to read some of the other responses to this weeks’ prompt? Here they are.
Rereading Jane Eyre 
Powerful.
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Such a sad and powerful story! The juxtaposition of the beaten-down father and the fighting daughter reflects the societal upheaval of the aftermath of civil war. Is this ever a subject you might put into a novel?
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I have thought about it. I may try one day. although I tend to think it’s too personal.
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Rock Creek is influenced by what led up to the Civil War in the US and reading letters and first hand accounts from my own ancestors is still painful. I understand, and yours is more recent.
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Very profound and moving.
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Thank you, Noelle. I didn’t mean to make such a dramatic come back to the challenge, but that’s where the prompt took me…
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Yes, it was a terrible time. Indeed depending on which side you were on life could get very difficult… Powerful story. Thanks, Luccia.
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That’s a powerful piece of flash, Luccia. I felt the father’s sadness and his resignation. I also felt the anger, hurt and lack of acceptance in the daughter. The spitefulness of the woman attacked, her lack of compassion, was harder to take; but I guess it too was rooted in acceptance. Life goes on. For some.
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It always amazes me how the same events can cause such different reactions in people. The little girl is going to have a hard time managing her anger with no help
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That’s right. But her anger is understandable, though her actions may not be excusable.
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Sorry, Norah, I hit send to soon! I wanted to say thanks for commenting💖🌹💗
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You are welcome. 🙂
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Such an intense story. Well done!
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Thank you. The scene’s been in my mind for a long time.
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