Short Fun Writing Challenge

Prompt #3

This is a story inspired by White Elephants, by Ernest Hemmingway. The whole story is in dialouge, except for a few sentences. It's supposed to be like that. Try to guess what they're talking about!

“Do you think he’d notice?” He mumbles and she leans closer to him.

“What?” She asks him.

“That I don’t like the same things he does.That I have different interests.” He frowns at the last comment and the girl sighs.

“Everybody's different, Cam.”

“Abnormal isn’t the same as different. He wants me to be the same as him. Like what he likes.”

“You don’t. That's normal. Lots of sons don’t like what their father’s do, and most of us are misunderstood.” The girl consoles the boy, stroking his back.

“I don’t know Carissa...I’m starting to feel frustrated. I’m confused, I don’t know what to do.”

“Why?”

“Because he doesn’t like change.”

“Nobody likes change. But we get used to it. Don’t feel bad.” The boy shook his head and stood up, walking to the door.

“Even if I don’t decide, I still make a choice.” Cam mumbles and Carissa looks at him curiously.

“What does that mean? Decide what?”

“If I don’t make a decision, I made the choice to not tell him. I guess I’m damned either way.” Cam explains bitterly.

“You are not damned, you are not going to hell. Stop with this pessimistic act. Alright. He loves you, just get your shit together and tell your father that you are different than him.” Carissa growls and Cam frowns. Footsteps approach the door and both kids step backwards. They press their backs against the wall, feeling the coats brush against their skin. The wool scratching them. Once the footsteps fade, Cam leans against the door, facing Carissa once more. Carissa shifts her weight, pushing aside a few shoes to make more room for her to stand. The lighting in the room was dim, but Carissa could still see the pain and uncertainty in his eyes.

“He doesn’t love me. My own goddamn father doesn’t love me.” Cam raises his voice and Carissa winces.

“He loves you- just doesn’t show it.” She protests, raising her voice to meet Cam’s tone.

“No he doesn’t. Besides, it doesn’t matter-he won’t love me after tonight.”

“At least you’re willing to talk to him,” Carissa offers weakly and the boys chuckles.

“I better enjoy our last conversation shouldn’t  I? After this, he won’t speak to me again.” Cam mutters and Carissa groans.

“Don’t be so pessimistic. It’ll all work out.”

“No it won’t. You don’t know him like I do. He might put up a front with others, but in reality, he doesn’t like change and he doesn’t like different. Everything has to be perfect in his little world, and when he finds out that his son doesn’t want the same things in life, life will be hell.”

“No it won’t. Trust me.” Carissa tells me, getting a little frustrated.

“I know it won’t. Don’t give me false hope,” Cam grumbles and Carissa walks over to him.

“Go and talk to him. Tell him the truth. You don’t know what would happen until you try,” Carissa says and Cam sighs in acceptance.

“Fine! I’ll go. Wait here in the closet while I tell him.”