The doctor jokes these injections will give me powers like in the comic books—that when I’m sorted I’ll slap away bullets for a bird—but my cheeks still flush for any right fit bloke. My gaze still clings to square jaws.
The Chemical Cure
Published by
Northwest Journals 
I just realized I forgot to come back and comment. What a unique take on the prompt. I think I’ve read it 20 times so far. It is such a scary thing to think about. You wrote this so well, conveying all you needed to in just 42 words!
Fucking thanks, Arden! I was worried about the British word choices, but looks like they came across.
Hormones always win. That’s true. Last line is my favourite!
It was a battle of hormones between the injections of estrogen he was getting and his “unnatural urges”. Ugh. I’m so glad I didn’t live back then.
Really great. We see his struggle on such a personal and intimate level.
Thanks, Brittany. This idea was inspired by Alan Turing and the movie The Imitation Game. It horrified me that the government bargained with men caught doing unnatural acts with other men with this treatment.
I immediately thought of the movie when I read this. I always admire the way you create characters and conflict within the limited words available: the flippant doctor (and the intolerant society he represents) versus the shamed-filled “patient.”
I saw that movie. He saved so many lives by his invention and then they turn around and force mutilate him. Terrible!
This is awesome!
🙂
Being true to yourself. The world thinks it can cure this ‘illness’, and ‘sort’ us out. They can’t. Truth is a greater power. I really like the story Nate. Super!
Thanks Darshana! Back then even some of the people who “suffered” from the illness of homosexuality thought they could be “fixed.” I’m so glad I live in a time and place of general acceptance.
Sounds like some powerful stuff! 🙂
It gave men weak bones, and breasts, and the shakes. But it ended libido so people suffered through it.
Can’t fight the rush of hormones. They are bound to surge.
Reblogged this on Bob Ransley .