Copyright – Rich Voza
In keeping with Rochelle’s theme of the doorway to puberty, here is my unhinged offering for this week’s Friday Fictioneers 100 word challenge.
*****
Sam’s mom made chicken biscuits for breakfast. Sam sat at the kitchen table savoring every bite while he waited for the school bus. Something was on his mind.
“Mom, do you think I could take chicken biscuits to school for everyone in my homeroom this Friday?”
“What’s the occasion?”
“I was thinking, if I walked through the door with delicious chicken biscuits for everyone, maybe someone would talk to me. Do you think that’s a nice thing to do?”
Sam’s mom felt her heart break.
“It’s a beautiful thing to do, Sam.”
She smiled at Sam and thought, uncommonly beautiful.
*****
Also, if you are interested, I recently traveled to NY and wrote a follow-up post inspired by Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers story about Emma Lazarus. Check it out here.
Honie Briggs 
When I saw “Seventh Grade,” I immediately thought of locker doors and finding the right one. I hope the biscuits do the trick, Sam sounds like a kind-hearted kid.
I agree, his want to bring in biscuits is uncommonly beautiful. A lovely thing to do, and I bet it would work out for him with his classmates.
Whoa … right between the eyes there, Honie. A MUST-READ, this one. Great job!
Oh, take the biscuits, child! What a beautiful piece. I especially love the last words, uncommonly beautiful. Really nice, Honie!
Thanks, Amy. I’m glad you liked it.
I am saddened by Sam and his mother for her heartbreak. This was so beautifully done.
Val, if it makes you feel any better, everything turns out just fine for Sam.
Oh my, I so wanted to hug that beautiful child, love it 🙂
}}hugs{{ rightbackatcha, Helen.
A wonderful story in so few words.
Your title reminds me of an old construction worker joke:
Q: What’s long and hard on an Ironworker?
A: Third grade.
Good Morning Allan. Always good for a laugh, aren’t you?
Thanks, I needed that!
Chin up, onward through the fog!
Yes indeed. Onward. Sure as hell don’t want to go back! 🙂
Uncommonly beautiful. May Sam journey into adulthood and understand how very special he is.
Thanks Joanna. I believe Sam is finally beginning to understand.
Dear Honie,
Do you have a clue what a good writer you are? I’m guessing yes. This was top three so far this week. I almost cried but stopped so that I could type without the blur. I wanted to reach out and hug Sam. (And you.) Well done.
Aloha,
Doug
Dear Doug,
From your lips to Simon & Schuster’s ears. If only I did. My second book languishes in edit because I don’t have a clue how to piece it back together from all of my re-writing (a.k.a. second guessing). 50,000 words here, 40,000 there. This story, as all of my stories, was straight from the heart. Your comments encourage me to take the process 100 words at a time. Thank you.
Clueless In Cow Town,
Honie
Dear Honie,
It’s an honor to share my theme with you. Very well-written story that brings tears to my eyes. You made me feel Sam’s incredible loneliness without overstating it. I think if Jolene hadn’t been so caught up in her own issues she and Sam could’ve been friends. Once more, my hat’s off to you as I bow in the presence of your writing skill.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Rochelle,
Yes, poor Jolene, ironing her hair while Sam struggled in the doorway with those chicken biscuits… That’s always the way, isn’t it? So clear from the outside looking in.
Grateful For Your High Praise,
Honie
Very moving. Well done.
Thanks Sandra.
I’m just so thankful I never have to do grade 7 again.
Me too, Lyle. Me too. Never, Never, Never! 🙂
Yes, heartache time. I remember often wondering what could I do or say to get “her” to talk to me.
Didn’t work – still doesn’t, really…just be yourself and don’t worry about it.
Scott
Mine: http://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2013/09/25/friday-fictioneers-door-number-two-horror-pg13-92713/
Scott, that is exactly right. Be yourself, always.
Very nice and I understand it fully. It’s tough being one of those kids, but even tougher on the mother.
You know, Perry, it is so very tough. Way different than bullying, but still tough.
I felt my heart break. Great piece of writing.
Helen, thanks so much.
As a mother, I felt this.
Moms do, don’t they? We feel it all. No one knows how much.
Like Carrie, this one really rips the gut. Either you were that kid or you saw it with your own child.
Excellent piece of writing!
It’s always nice to receive a compliment from you. Motherhood can be gut wrenching sometimes. My son is awesome. Uncommonly awesome.
My problem in school was shyness. It was talking to others, not being talked to that I longed for. I’m still a bit backward that way, but not near as bad as I used to be.
I knew a boy in school who was shy. He was adorable. I sat next to him and we became friends, but he became popular and was swept into the “in” crowd. I created a character in Summoning the Strength specifically about that friendship. Shy can be cool.
Oh, now that breaks my heart. Nice job of invoking strong emotion in such few words!
It broke my heart too, Carrie. This is one of those moments that prepare a mom to bench press a hummer.