After a summer break from blogging, I thought I'd get back into the swing of things by joining the Friday Fictioneers, whose stories I've been enjoying for some time.
Touché
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| PHOTO PROMPT © Sarah Ann Hall |
Touché
Pamela disliked her
mother's collections of china and pottery. Shelves groaning with Wade
Whimsies were a particular bugbear.
'What do you see in
these twee little animal figures?'
'Now, Pammy, look
closely at their intricacies.'
Pamela remained
unimpressed.
At least the Whimsies
were small. The sheer vulgarity of the collection of jardinières
appalled her.
'One day you'll love
them,' said her mother.
'Never,' said Pamela.
On the day that Pamela
picked up the jardinières, courtesy of her mother's will, she found
a note inside each one which read: For my darling daughter to learn
to love.
Pamela sighed. 'Touché,
mother.'
Welcome to Friday Fictioneers, Susan. A pity you had only 100 words or there could have been a different message inside each
ReplyDeleteThanks, Neil. Yes - the shortest flash I normally write is 200 words. Getting the prose down to 100 is real challenge!
DeleteDear Susan,
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Friday Fictioneers. I'm glad you finally took the plunge.
Pamela's mother knew a lot about her daughter Pamela didn't know about herself. Nicely crafted story. I look forward to reading more from you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks, Rochelle. Having a break from blogging has given me a chance to rethink my blog and trying Friday Fictioneers seemed like a good way to get me going again.
DeleteIt'll take a lot more than a note to convince her, I think!
ReplyDeleteQuite! Hence her sigh. :)
DeleteHer mother managed to nag her even from beyond the grave! Welcome to FF, Susan.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think it's something mothers are capable of. :) Thanks for the welcome - I'm here because of you!
DeleteI still think she will come to appreciate them, as her mother predicted. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Iain - I hope she will.
DeleteWell done.
ReplyDeleteWonderfully told, Susan. Loved your story.
ReplyDeleteThank you - that's very good to know.
DeleteActually, I can relate to this story! My mother and I had distinctly different tastes in ... well, everything. However, after she passed away, things I had previously considered hideous now became treasures.
ReplyDeleteI think Pamela's mother got it right!
Mothers usually are right, Joanne. :)
DeleteOh, I love that you also found out what they where... for me it's a case of watching way to many antique's roadshow.. good that she left that message, it's like she knew her daughter better than the daughter did herself.
ReplyDeleteI used to be in the business many moons ago, so I knew what they were the minute I saw the photo. :)
DeleteA mixture of sweet and beyond-the-grave nagging :-) Nice!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alistair!
ReplyDeleteI guess there's no accounting for taste. I'm with the daughter.
ReplyDeleteHa ha - me too, Alice.
ReplyDeleteI remember Wade Whimsies! I had a labrador puppy Whimsy I was very proud of, though I wouldn't give it house room now! I admit, I rather like some of the jardiniere. Love mother's notes at the end - I wonder if Pamela will grow to love them? Lovely story
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the story, Lynn. Maybe Pamela will grow to love them in memory of her mother. :)
DeleteWelcome back Susan.
ReplyDeleteMothers have a way of proving their point. Lovely story!
Thanks. Norma.
Thanks, Norma. Yes, we shouldn't argue with our mothers!
DeleteI'm with Pamela. She should keep one for a keepsake and donate the rest to Junior Jr.'s family for chamber pots. Thanks for participating this week. I look forward to reading more of your work. - Russell
ReplyDeleteThanks, Russell - yes, one for a keepsake might do the trick. :)
DeleteWhat a lovely story. I learned some new words too.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know you enjoyed it, Ted. :)
ReplyDeletePerhaps once Pamela has had the jardinieres valued she'll perk up a bit. I don't envy her the dusting though.
ReplyDeleteHa ha - that's one way of looking at it!
DeleteYou've written a clever little story to make the point that when we lose a dear one we are predisposed to look gently on what we have perceived as their failings.
ReplyDeleteNice writing!
Thanks for getting it, Penny.
DeleteClever mum!
ReplyDeleteClever - or perhaps manipulative?
DeleteVery well done. I did a few "flash fiction" stories a few years ago that were limited to fifty-five words each! Very challenging for a wordy s.o.b. like myself!
ReplyDeleteYes, very short fiction which nevertheless encompasses a genuine story is hard to achieve. Fifty five sounds extremely challenging!
DeleteI actually managed to do four of them, all back in 2010. I think I'll collect them and republish them together in an upcoming post on my blog! Thanks for the inspiration.
DeleteI shall look forward to reading them.
DeleteDeath gives new meaning to many things. Nicely written.
ReplyDeleteIt does, doesn't it, Irene? Thanks for your comment.
DeleteMum having the last word. I like it. :) :)
ReplyDeleteHe he - as mother's do!
Delete