A collection of flash fiction (and non-fiction) tales written for the purpose-designed 'Weekend Writein prompts', challenging writers to produce around 500 word stories each time we choose to join the party.
He stood proudly beside his new wife, producing what appeared to be a most confident speech of welcome and thanks. His parents certainly knew and his wife had learned, the enormity of that apparent calm and the self-control it took for him to keep such perfect composure. Only a few long-time friends from the old country knew the effort and massive progress involved in turning a small, hopelessly stuttering child into this handsome and completely self-possessed bridegroom.
More than twenty years before, the broadcast the Western world had longed to hear, came over radios and loudspeakers in the streets of the occupied countries in Europe.
"This is London... At this moment, it is announced that Montgomery has stated that the German troops in Holland, Northwest Germany and Denmark have surrendered"
It was the 5th May 1945, when the Germans capitulated. Immediately the news became public, there was pandemonium of a different kind from those seemingly endless years of weary war. Can we imagine the jubilation and dancing in the streets; joyous firing of rifles, cheering, singing, etc.?
Little wonder that Wanda couldn't contain her excitement and joy, and was irresistibly drawn down to the street and the celebrations from their first floor flat. She agonised over the wisdom of joining the celebrations just briefly whilst Kanute was having a morning nap. But the war was over! It wasn't so hard after all to decide he would be perfectly safe alone. He was sound asleep, she reasoned and couldn't resist laying a gentle hand on his golden hair. What could possibly go wrong NOW, after all they'd been through in occupied Denmark?
The commotion grew more extreme by the minute, an infectious joy that spread like wildfire. And, finally little Kanute awoke. For the five short years of his life, shouting and shooting had meant fearful things were happening, and his small heart filled with dread. In blind panic, he hid behind a cupboard when he couldn't find his mother anywhere in their few small rooms. When Wanda reappeared, only a short 15 minutes later, his relief turned into near inconsolable hysteria.
Wanda would tell of hours of cuddling and reassuring before Kanute could settle down to any semblance of 'normal'. When finally he was quiet again, he could not talk without severe stuttering - a problem that dogged his life for years. Wanda never forgave herself for what she judged selfish moments of celebration, no matter how brief.
Gradually his stuttering settled into only emerging unexpectedly when he was under stress or scrutiny - but happen it surely did - to his deep embarrassment. It seemed control happened as a result of gaining confidence from some special awards, practice at semi-public speaking in meetings at his workplace, and a great deal of success with the opposite sex.
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By the time he was toasting his Aussie bride, he was in full control. I'd love to claim some credit, but this was a direct outcome of his own special efforts.
