Today, I’m sharing my entry for Vivian Kirkfield’s #50PreciousWords (Twitter) Writing Contest. The rules are simple: write a story for kids (12 and under) in 50 or less words.

This writing contest is an exercise in choice; the writer must be scrupulous in word choice. Each word counts and makes a difference in syntax and semantics and the expresses the overall emotion in the story.

My piece was written from the heart of my 12-year-old self. I freshly remember the struggle of transitioning from one home to the other; I can still feel the subtle ache grow in size from sunup to sundown. As an adult, I now understand people change, love dissolves, and marriages die, but my younger self could not acknowledge or accept their choices. My younger self suffered especially on Wednesdays.

Here is my entry entitled, SPLIT WEDNESDAYS.

Split Wednesdays

By:  Jennifer Wood Laird 

Wake.

Wrestle my fears. 

Wail in my pillow.

Why?

It’s Wednesday…again. 

The worst day!

My worry gives me whiplash.

It wedges into my split heart.

I wish I didn’t have to leave this home.

Walk out the door. 

Wave goodbye to Dad. 

The warmth flows over my worry. 

Mom’s week