Broken Promises
Dressed in Red
Confidence • Courage • Change
The carefree laughter leaves our home the instant the door closes behind Johnny. My mother swoops me up into her arms and whispers, "I'm sorry." I don't understand what's happening, but I sense overwhelming despair and begin to cry - I am eight years old.
A glass shatters, and I return to the present - standing abruptly. Ning remains seated as she continues to apply makeup diligently. We have not had a customer in weeks, but we show up each day and wait - hoping.
Men come by to speak with us, but they don't have money. I do my best to ignore them, but Ning snaps, "no money - no honey."
I remember my mother's promises made long ago when she met Johnny. But, unfortunately, an apology replaces each vow. I've heard "I'm sorry" too many times over the years that these words now mean nothing. I am living the life she insisted I wouldn't.
She may have left me with broken promises, but I have private dreams.
I will create a new world for us - I will change our destiny. We will be proud.
-
Debra Levine
Comments on this post (6)
Debra once again an excellent piece of work!
— Keith A Jones
Hi Debra. Love your story and your art.
Each with such grace and feeling ❤️
— Harriet craig
You express so much visually in such few words and with your art.
— Muffy Lutzin
Debra, you get better and better and nothing is better than that ❤️
— James Kreuzberg
WOW! Another masterpiece. Debra, your talent is awe-inspiring to me. I hope my healing abilities and the work I do is as inspiring to those I help as much as I SEE and FEEL your gifts of expression. Thank you sooooo very much. Have a blessed day. Love you lots. ❤️
— Marilyn
YOU r good!!! Such detail in your painting- in your words…
love you!
Carolyn
— Carolyn