Pegman this week takes us to Krakow, Poland. Photo : bing.com/images
PACZKI
‘Nigel – here’s Tomasza Street, my Mama’s house. I’m so excited. Not seen Mama for a whole year ! Mama, we’re here.’
Ah, Mama’s baking : I breath in the warm chocolately aroma of paczki – baby Tom will love that.
‘Natalia — let me hug you, dearest daughter, and little Tom. He’s a little chubkin. Translate for me : tell Nigel I’m pleased to see him too. Tea, paczki, just baked ? So much catching up to do. Hannah, take you sister for a stroll around, see her old school, the church…’
‘Hannah, my old school playground — can still hear those cruel girls taunting me : fatty ! fatty ! I’m not am I ?’
‘No that was a long time ago Nat. You live in England now.’
‘Feel I’m a ghost haunting my own childhood. Severed from where I once belonged, Hannah. Where do I fit in now ?
‘Wherever you choose to dearest sister.’
December 23, 2018 at 8:29 pm
Oh! I can hear the chatter, family members talking over one another then that last line that shows so much love and support. Nicely done.
December 27, 2018 at 5:53 pm
Thanks so much Alicia- pleased you liked the story, & could hear the family chatting…
December 23, 2018 at 2:48 pm
Loved this, Francine. It captures the sense of homecoming. It grows upon that to question identity and place.
December 27, 2018 at 6:47 pm
Thanks so much Karen, I’m glad that it spoke to you.
December 23, 2018 at 12:49 pm
The sense of belonging is strong here, woman walking max. The dialogue is crisp and reveals the characters in a way free of exposition. Good one.
December 27, 2018 at 6:54 pm
I appreciate your feedback Kelvin – glad that the story engaged you.
December 22, 2018 at 11:22 pm
Quite the reunion. I could totally hear the accent in the affectionate back and forth. Not sure what the teems mean–maybe cake? But i love ther term of endearment:”little chubkin!”
December 23, 2018 at 10:02 am
Pleased you liked the story. A paczki is a donut !! Apparently very popular in Poland.
December 22, 2018 at 11:14 pm
Quite the coming of age. All grown up and living in a foreign country, but go home, and she is still just a little girl.. So true…
December 23, 2018 at 10:06 am
Appreciate your feedback Violet. I’ve met first generation people who settle in a country different to one they were born in, and don’t feel at home in either.
December 23, 2018 at 4:49 pm
But I got the distinct feeling your main had. I believe the child may have even taken her by surprise. Excellent write.
December 22, 2018 at 6:43 pm
Sweet little vignette here. I like the idea of a ghost haunting her own childhood.
December 23, 2018 at 10:07 am
Appreciate your feedback, thank you.