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All The Way Down: Finale

Postiwyd gan Tom_Bevan o Caerdydd - Cyhoeddwyd ar 07/12/2010 am 10:14
3 sylwadau » - Tagiwyd fel Ysgrifennu Creadigol

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All The Way Down: Anthology

Today was the day she’d told herself.

Her children fed her and washed her face before they left for school. “I hope he comes Mamma. I love you.” Her youngest stroked her mother’s bony hand and then followed her sisters out of the hut. She knew that some would demand that the children remained all day to care for their mother, but she wouldn’t restrict their lives. It would not be fair.

The morning moved into the afternoon.

The woman lay still.

God closed His fist but there was no pain. The end had come.

The thin, feeble body would lie there for the rest of the day. The children would discover it and become another set of orphans to AIDS.

She would be Mamma no more.

*********************************
He left the village a happy man. Despite the fact that a bunch of African kids had to crowd round him like he was some sort of God. It made a good photo. He could just imagine the fuss the press would make over this.

During the return leg, the journalist passed a piece of writing over which was entitled ‘Todd’s Remarkable Journey’. Todd read out a line. “HIV/AIDS is the most devastating disease in South Africa, killing thousands upon thousands every year.”

He laughed. “It just saved my career though didn’t it!”

He was scheduled to appear on national television, tomorrow night, back in New York.

He wouldn’t be sharing that sentiment with America.

Or with Rachel. He was planning on phoning her when he got back.

For Todd Anderton, a new life was to begin.

Or at least, he hoped.

*****************************
I loosen my grip on the railings and close my eyes. The air is still and there is a knot in the bottom of my stomach. I want to let go so why am I so nervous? I want to let go, I want to let go, I’m going to let go, I’m going to let go.

If there is a God, please rescue this sinking boat.

Falling slowly. I’ve suffered enough. Erase me. Erase me. Impact. Black light.

Nothing.

Danny got to the corner and wondered if his boyfriend would be back from work yet. It would be nice to surprise him.

Chris and Mark sat in the pub, reading a text they had sent. Chris said they had gone too far. Mark bought him another drink and that was soon forgotten.

Danny saw the body lying face down on the floor. No. No. “No! No!” He was running and running but the closer he got the worse it was. He held the body and wept, his tears dripping into the widening pool of blood, a deathly red puddle on the tarmac. “No.” He was shaking.

He’d come to propose.

He was shaking.

A tragedy he hadn’t seen coming.

Chris and Mark were getting very drunk.

Author's note about AIDS:

Last year, South Africa became the first African country to host the FIFA World Cup. In the month long tournament 64 matches of World Cup football were played in nine cities across the country.

In the same month, almost 23,000 South Africans died from AIDS.

Although in many societies gay men and lesbians are more accepted than in the past, homophobia continues to be prominent around the world. The global AIDS epidemic has always been closely linked with attitudes towards gay men; a group that is particularly affected by HIV and AIDS.

Homophobia continues to be a major barrier to ending the global AIDS epidemic.

www.avert.org

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