Self-Review – Jared’s World Turned Upside Down

A Review of Jared’s World Turned Upside Down

Let’s take a look at Jared’s World Turned Upside Down.

I wrote this story during the first quarter of 2021. The original prompt word was wheel.

Background

Probably one of the most difficult and fraught decisions that the parent of a profoundly disabled child has to make, is what to do after they’ve passed away.

Who takes care of the child, who by this time is probably an adult, and may even be a senior citizen? And, what does the parent do if they have no one to take up the mantle, or if their choice of successor caregiver has already shuffled off the mortal coil?

Plot for Jared’s World Turned Upside Down

Jared Bailey is developmentally disabled and nonverbal. His mother has been his caregiver and sole companion for decades.

But she’s all out of money. Rosemary knows that the state will separate them once the bills really start to pile up and the town goes after her for the back taxes.

Her only solution is to drive them on twisty, wet roads; unbuckle their seat belts; and crash the car. It’s all in the hope that they will both die quickly and relatively painlessly. But her plans only work on one of them—herself.

When he comes to, Jared has been thrown clear. The car is upside down. Rosemary isn’t moving. There are sirens, and they are getting closer. But Jared doesn’t even know what a siren is, let alone what the people behind it may be able to do for him.

All alone for the first time in his life, Jared can’t even tell the cops or the emergency medical technicians what’s happened. He can’t even say who the dead woman is, and what she is to him.

Characters

The characters are Jared, his mother Rosemary, the clerk at the library, the teenager at the library, EMTs Chet and Emma, and Dr. Darren Parker.

Memorable Quotes

One February day, she drove to the library to return a stack of books. But this time, things were different.

“Mrs. Bailey,” said the clerk, “aren’t you going to borrow some more books?”

“Oh, I don’t think so. Time for a clean slate.”

“Well, I imagine you’ve read our entire adult section, or just about, ma’am.” The clerk paused. “Looks like this one is a little overdue. Shall I put it on your debit card on file?”

“Yes, please.”

“Twenty-six cents. I know it doesn’t sound like a lot, but pennies keep the library going.” The clerk frowned. “Looks like your card was denied. Do you have another one we could try? Far as I can tell, the one on file hasn’t expired. I’m thinking it’s just, well, empty.”

“I don’t have another card. Let me see what I have on me. Jared, don’t touch that, dear.” Rosemary dumped about half of the contents of her purse out, hunting for change. There was lint, and there were tissues and an ancient lipstick. But not enough in coins. “I’m afraid all I’ve got is eleven cents.”

The entire transaction had taken long enough that there was a teenaged boy behind them, waiting. “Hang on, I’ve got a quarter,” he said, producing it.

“There. All paid up,” said the clerk, handing a nickel and five pennies back to Rosemary.

“Young man, here’s ten cents toward what I owe you.”

“Nah, it’s okay, ma’am.”

Rating for Jared’s World Turned Upside Down

The story has a K+ rating. Rosemary’s plans are brutal, but she doesn’t completely get what she wants.

Takeaways

I’m not so sure I like the ending for this one. Jared is all alone, and there’s no real closure. But then again, anyone in his position would live a rather precarious life. Maybe not giving him closure is more realistic. I am open to criticism and suggestions, as always.

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Want More of my Short Stories and Novellas?

If this story resonates with you, then check out my other posts about my shorter works.

Short Stories

Finally, for a complete list of my shorter works, please be sure to check out the Hub Page—Short Stories.