Dad was drunk and didn’t notice me sliding my gingerbread pawn on the winding spaces
past Gumdrop Mountain. His eyes instead were on pictures of me on the fireplace mantel.
Pictures of me grimacing in a too-large soccer uniform as a ten-year-old. Of me on stage at my first dance recital, my arms raised over my head in a triumphant pose. Another
one of me tossing flower petals at my older sister’s wedding. His face reeked of disappointment.
Yeah, I cheated by moving my game piece out of turn, but I wanted to win. To make a point. Dad finally focused on the Candy Land board in dismay when I crossed the candy castle space. I waved my hand over the rainbow colors and announced, “Yeah, I’m gay.”
Flash by Keith Manos
Image by Adam Strong
Keith Manos has published twelve books to date, including his debut novel My Last Year of Life (in School). Keith’s short fiction has appeared in national print and online magazines like Attic Door Press, October Hill Magazine, Chagrin River Review, and Storgy, among others. Check out his website at www.keithmanos.com.
Backwards Trajectory 