Originally written for the LiveJournal group ff_friday. Redux 15: Challenge 205: something bitter-tasting.

Rating: PG

Word Count: 137

Characters: Mal

Disclaimer: The characters and ‘verse of Firefly belong to Joss Whedon and the gang at Mutant Enemy. I’m just borrowing them for a bit, and I’ll put everything back when I’m done. No harm intended, no harm done.

Beta: None. Read at your own risk.

Notes: I was reflecting on the events of the past few years of my life last night, and this short drabble started writing itself in my head.

“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Isn’t that what they used to say?

Maybe if you only have a couple of lemons, some sugar, and clear water. But, I don’t have those last two things anymore.

Life doesn’t just give you a couple of ‘em either. It rains down on you until you’re downing in it: Mama’s gone. Shadow’s gone. War’s lost. All those fine soldiers are dead. I don’t even believe in God anymore.

How can I make lemonade out of that? It’s impossible! It can’t be done. All that you can do is to eat the lemons raw. You can learn to live with the taste. It doesn’t stop being bitter, but you don’t wince at it after a while.

Sometimes when life gives you lemons, that’s all you got. Sweetness becomes a myth.