This piece was written in response to the prompt ‘Doughnuts’ in 150 words. I dislike all forms of deep fried doughy cakes including Spanish churros, French beignets, South African vetkoek, American Krispy Kremes or a good old traditional English jam or cream doughnut, so that took me straight to the other kind…It is written from painful memory…
Only doughnuts provided her with comfort and relief. She watched her diet, balancing her quota of fresh fruit, roughage and protein, but doughnuts were absolutely allowed and had been recommended by her doctor.
Sometimes her need for one overwhelmed her, reducing her to tears. She could barely function if she got to the office without one, unable to get through the morning without her fix. She would pace, not settling at her desk until one had been sent in for her.
She never imagined her dependence on doughnuts would become so all consuming. She had tried so many alternatives but none worked as well. She had been embarrassed to confide the extent of her pain without them to her doctor, who had reassured her that it was completely normal in her condition.
She was pregnant, haemorrhoids were killing her and only sitting on a hollowed out soft cushion eased the pain.