Sunday Photo Fiction Challenge – The Question

Submitted for Sunday Photo Fiction

The Assignment: The idea of Photo Fiction is write a story of around 100-200 words (which is also called Flash Fiction) based on a photo as a prompt. In this particular photo fiction, the story must be based on the photo below.

Credit: Al Forbes

“Why am I different?”

Mr. and Mrs. Ursus looked at each other as they cuddled their son.  For months, they’ve discussed how and when to explain adoption to Teddy but thought they had more time. His world us expanding. Every day, Teddy bombards his parents with all kinds of questions.

“Different?” Claude and Sheila had decided to steer the conversation based on their son, not assume what he wanted to know.

“Mommy is white and Daddy light too but I am really brown. At school the brown kids are picked up by brown mommies.”

“Sheila please get the special story book, it is time.”

Sheila retrieved I Don’t Have Your Eyes by Carrie A. Kitze (1) from the bookshelf and return to the sofa.  She showed Teddy the mother and child on the cover than opened the book.

She began, “I Don’t Have Your Eyes… but I have your way of looking at things…” (1)

Through this book, Claude and Sheila explained adoption to Teddy and how they are a family just like the other kids at school.  Teddy learned that they may not be the same on the outside, but in their hearts, they are the same.(1)

(1) The title, direct quote or paraphrased from the book I Don’t Have Your Eyes by Carrie A. Kitze