MY FAMILY - Acrostic Short Story

Melissa seemed to be drowning on her own thoughts. Sleepless for so many weeks now, court battles and all have taken a toll on her health. But her daughter is too precious to her she can’t let her go to an irresponsible father.

Years passed and now Lizzie is in the third grade since Joshua left them for an unknown reason. He just vanished like a thin smoke on air. No letters, no phone calls, nothing, whatsoever. He made no effort to contact her.

Finally, and one day, he suddenly showed up. “You what?’ Melissa laughed incredulously. “We’re not communicating, are we? You see, I took all the burdens of being a father and mother to Lizzie. Just Me!”

All the time instincts told her she should not lose this battle. She can’t live a day without Lizzie on her sight. She is too precious to her and she was the reason why she became stronger to face life and all the consequences of giving birth to her little girl.

Musing silently, she was startled when Joshua suddenly divorced her from her thoughts. “Though not legally dear, I am still her father, but if you can’t bear that she be taken away from you, then you know what I mean”, as Joshua stared down his straight imperious nose at her. “I trust you’re going to be reasonable about this and not turn into another…..” “Reasonable?” Melissa bantered back.

“Is your loving care so precious and unique that it justifies your intent of taking custody of her? Are you that arrogant? That egotistical? Tell me?”

Lizzie was the fruit of a whirlwind romance. Melissa thought that if she would give in to Joshua’s interest of intimacy, she can finally have him and beat all other ladies who wished him to be their Prince Charming. But her dream of a grand wedding did not happen. She got pregnant, took the brunt of it. She even wished to end her life then but through the loving support of her parents, she was able to hurdle it all.

Yes, having Lizzie at a young age, she didn’t enjoy her youth so much. And now, here is her irresponsible father. “All right, enough!” Melissa muttered. “But, we’re not legally married yet”, she continued. “Oh, that’s not a problem anymore, we can take care of that tomorrow, or next week or next month, but eventually, we’re going to solve the problem. We will. Together we can handle anything.” Joshua pulled her against him. She smiled, snuggling in the warmth of his neck. “I’m so happy, Joshua. Sometimes I get scared it can’t last.” His hand curved over the back of her head. “It’ll last, I swear to you, it will. This is the only beginning, my love.” His mouth closed over hers, sealing the vow.

Written for Amias' Acrostic Only