DRUMROLL PLEASE...
And the Winner is...
DUN DUN DUN!
JENNIFER!! WOO HOO!!!
Her short story entitled "Haley's Justice" was a wonderful little interaction of a father and daughter. What I liked about it was that there was going to be a court proceeding of some sort that involved the young girl, but it was never spelled out. I gathered that it was going to be a custody hearing. By the end, you know that everything is going to work out just fine.
I liked it a lot.
So without further ado, here is "Haley's Justice" by Jennifer:
Haley’s Justice
By Jennifer (Architect by Day, Writer by Night)
"Daddy?" A little girl tugged on her Dad's arm. Her eyes were wide with curiosity at the statue before her.
"Daddy?" she said again, tugging a little harder.
"What is it Haley?"
"Why are her eyes covered?"
"Who?"
The girl lifted a finger and pointed to the statue standing tall in the lobby of the courthouse. "Her. She can't see Daddy. How can she help you if she can't see?"
The man knelt down next to his daughter and marveled once again at the inquisitive nature his daughter had. He couldn't lose her. She's what made his life bearable. "That's Justice. She's wearing a blindfold."
"But why?"
"She wears that so she makes sure she's fair to everyone. A lot of times people can't see past the differences we each have and are judgmental because they see only what's on the outside. Justice doesn't do that. She's fair."
"You mean she can't see if someone is a boy or a girl. Or if they're tall or short?" Haley asked.
Such a simplified version of a complex topic, he thought. He wish he could capture her innocence and share it with the world. "That's right. She can't see if we're black or white, if we're rich or poor. She listens to the facts and makes her judgements based on them."
"So it's her job to make fair decisions?"
"Yup. She isn't prejudice against anyone."
"That's what the jury is going to do?"
It came out more as a question. He smiled at her. He didn't know how else to reassure her. She was being so brave. She was a strong girl. She was his girl and they weren't going to take her. Not if he could help it.
"They're going to listen all the facts and make a decision without pre...predujuice?"
He smiled at her mispronunciation. "Prejudice sweetie, and yes that's what they'll do. Just tell the truth Haley.
You don't have to worry." He stood up and took her hand. "Ready?"
Haley looked a Justice again. "One second Daddy." She ran over to the statue and whispered something to her.
She came back and gave him a hug. "It's okay Daddy. I talked to her and she promised she wouldn't take her blindfold off. We can go in now. I'm ready."
DUN DUN DUN!
JENNIFER!! WOO HOO!!!
Her short story entitled "Haley's Justice" was a wonderful little interaction of a father and daughter. What I liked about it was that there was going to be a court proceeding of some sort that involved the young girl, but it was never spelled out. I gathered that it was going to be a custody hearing. By the end, you know that everything is going to work out just fine.
I liked it a lot.
So without further ado, here is "Haley's Justice" by Jennifer:
Haley’s Justice
By Jennifer (Architect by Day, Writer by Night)
"Daddy?" A little girl tugged on her Dad's arm. Her eyes were wide with curiosity at the statue before her.
"Daddy?" she said again, tugging a little harder.
"What is it Haley?"
"Why are her eyes covered?"
"Who?"
The girl lifted a finger and pointed to the statue standing tall in the lobby of the courthouse. "Her. She can't see Daddy. How can she help you if she can't see?"
The man knelt down next to his daughter and marveled once again at the inquisitive nature his daughter had. He couldn't lose her. She's what made his life bearable. "That's Justice. She's wearing a blindfold."
"But why?"
"She wears that so she makes sure she's fair to everyone. A lot of times people can't see past the differences we each have and are judgmental because they see only what's on the outside. Justice doesn't do that. She's fair."
"You mean she can't see if someone is a boy or a girl. Or if they're tall or short?" Haley asked.
Such a simplified version of a complex topic, he thought. He wish he could capture her innocence and share it with the world. "That's right. She can't see if we're black or white, if we're rich or poor. She listens to the facts and makes her judgements based on them."
"So it's her job to make fair decisions?"
"Yup. She isn't prejudice against anyone."
"That's what the jury is going to do?"
It came out more as a question. He smiled at her. He didn't know how else to reassure her. She was being so brave. She was a strong girl. She was his girl and they weren't going to take her. Not if he could help it.
"They're going to listen all the facts and make a decision without pre...predujuice?"
He smiled at her mispronunciation. "Prejudice sweetie, and yes that's what they'll do. Just tell the truth Haley.
You don't have to worry." He stood up and took her hand. "Ready?"
Haley looked a Justice again. "One second Daddy." She ran over to the statue and whispered something to her.
She came back and gave him a hug. "It's okay Daddy. I talked to her and she promised she wouldn't take her blindfold off. We can go in now. I'm ready."
posted by Dave | 11:36 PM
4 Comments:
Wow. Thanks guys. I loved this short piece.
I originally had a scene from a novella that was based somewhat on this short piece. I really loved the scene in the novella and that's what inspired me to try and make it stand on it's own.
I'd love to read the other submissions if anyone wants to share them :D
Happy writing everyone!
Beautiful piece Jennifer! The suspense of it lingers. The message is profound--yet, you let the reader discover it for themself. The interaction between the father--who may have much to lose--is sweet and touching. A very deserving honor for a very good submission!
Diane
Good job!
Great job! Told so well with so few words. I can't wait to learn how to do that, as you'll see from my few and far between posts.
I can ramble on.
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