The Box of Cigarettes

“Hello, Fady. What do you got in your pocket there, my son?
What’s this? What’s this, Fady?”

“A box of cigarettes”

“What the hell? A box of cigarettes, Fady?
Can’t you see what smoking has done to my health?
Do you want to turn out like me?”

[To the mother] “Shut up you.
Cigarettes, Fady?
Now it’s cigarettes, soon you’ll be doing drugs!”

[To the mother] “This is all because of you. You’re the one who raised him.
How do you not know that he smokes, madame?”

“Cigarettes, Fady? Why? How old are you?
Why, son, why? What have we done for this to happen?
How long have you been smoking? Is this your box?
Answer me.”

“Yes.”

“Are you going to quit?”

“No.”

“No? Okay, then. Go to your room.
I don’t want to see you for the rest of today.”

x
Warning The stories on our story archive could contain potentially sensitive and/or triggering material. If a story causes you discomfort or pain, please remember to breathe and check in with yourself before continuing or stop reading completely if necessary.