“Henry’s Turn” by Geoff Kronik (fiction, ’12)

An excerpt from “Henry’s Turn” by Geoff Kronik (fiction, ’12) published at TSS Publishing. The story is Highly Commended in the spring TSS Flash 400 Competition

 

“Henry’s Turn”

That rainy Christmas Henry’s father put down Athena, their old German shepherd. A long-limbed man with a hanging face and opaque gray eyes, Henry’s father did everything with quiet care and Henry had idolized him. That morning they ate breakfast and then sat in silence until his father pushed his chair back.

“Okay, girl,” he said. Athena limped after him.

The shot startled Henry although he expected it, but when he heard his father sobbing he covered his ears. His father came back inside and Henry said it was all right, but his father said “no, it isn’t” and Henry secretly agreed with that and they never spoke of Athena or any past or future sadness again.

Now it is a cat and Henry’s son.

“Let me do it,” Matty says, “I watched a video. It’s peaceful. Almost beautiful.” April sleeps in a corner, too thin, orange fur dry, her tail a protective circle. Some boys never matured, others were old at twelve, Henry thinks. Who or what had made Matty? His mother left before he knew her, but he does not seem bothered by that or anything. Like mother, like son, Henry supposes, remembering her. He wouldn’t take it that well. […continue reading here]