Short Story Guys Day Out

Guys Day Out is a simple fiction story written by Ellen Klages in 2005, the story directly reflects and relates to the plight of childhood in the 21st century. The story took place somewhere in 1960s in a lakeside community in United States of America. Although fiction, the story is outrageous, predictable and deeply touches on all the topics covered. It provides a mainstream horror story that ends with a moral lesson. Indeed, this story is a powerful fictional illustration of the true meaning of life. One of the major elements of fiction covered in this story is the relationship between a father and a son. Tommy, who is the main character, is the son to Andrew. Tommy was born with Down's syndrome which later progressed into Alzheimer’s disease and this affects his relationship with other people including his father. In this theme, Andrew becomes the antagonist character. And Tommy, the main character becomes protagonist.
The story of Andrew and Tommy relates to parental love, friendship, and destruction. The story gives details about Andrew’s experience living with someone suffering from Down's syndrome. In this story, Ellen Klages shows that horror does not have to be ray guns or spaceships.
Instead, he makes decisions that aggravate Tommy’s conditions. For instance, when Tommy insists on rowing a boat, the captain refuses but his father is averse to that decision. The conflict between Tommy and his father was later resolved when he started treating him differently. The author used simple language and style. This was effective in enhancing and achieving the effects of the story.
Personally, this short story Guys Day out is definitely not science fiction, speculation or fantasy in any way. The story line is compelling, informing, captivating, heart breaking, timing, lovely, encouraging but yet disappointing in the end. This short story is indeed