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August 24, 2021 20 Comments

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When I get back from South America, my mother tells me Dad is dead. “Heart attack,” she says. “Not surprising considering how much he ate and drank.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Oh, Felicity, you’d never have got back in time. Anyway, how was your…holiday?”

“I don’t want to talk about my field trip right now, Mother.”

“Okay, darling. Take a shower and I’ll see you at dinner.”

My mother’s bare feet are silent on the marble tiles as she walks away.

I drop my overweight backpack onto the floor, hear the bottle of whiskey I bought for him smash.

By Laura Besley

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chris Nedahl says

    August 24, 2021 at 3:42 am

    Excellent…and the last sentence is perfect . ??

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      August 24, 2021 at 7:30 am

      Thank you, Christine!

      Reply
  2. Mary A Gorman says

    August 24, 2021 at 10:03 am

    Laura amazing writing capturing it so visually. I could see your Mum in her bare feet I could feel your shock and the final sentence so poignant Keep on writing

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      August 25, 2021 at 9:36 am

      Thank you so much, Mary!

      Reply
  3. Beebles says

    August 24, 2021 at 3:55 pm

    Excellent. A proper story well told.

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      August 25, 2021 at 9:36 am

      Thank you so much for your comment! It means a lot.

      Reply
  4. Madison says

    August 25, 2021 at 7:46 am

    Whoah!

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      August 25, 2021 at 9:37 am

      Thanks!!

      Reply
  5. NormaN Shaft says

    August 25, 2021 at 10:30 am

    So much in here, told really well Laura.

    Reply
    • Michael Bloomfield says

      August 25, 2021 at 11:05 am

      Big story in a few words. Excellent.

      Reply
      • Laura Besley says

        August 28, 2021 at 4:18 am

        Thank you, Michael!

        Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      August 28, 2021 at 4:18 am

      Thank you, NormaN!

      Reply
  6. Fran Scott says

    August 25, 2021 at 10:56 am

    The last line is perfect!

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      August 28, 2021 at 4:19 am

      Thanks, Fran! I find last lines so tough, so am especially pleased this one works 🙂

      Reply
  7. Paul Lewthwaite says

    August 26, 2021 at 4:32 am

    A deceptively simple tale, but with all sorts of complex emotions subtly suggested. Great read.

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      August 28, 2021 at 4:19 am

      Thank you very much, Paul. Really appreciate your comment.

      Reply
  8. Pauline Rendall says

    August 28, 2021 at 2:16 am

    Very poignant. The mother doesn’t seem unduly bothered, though.

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      August 28, 2021 at 4:20 am

      No, that’s true (and intentional). Thank you for reading and commenting.

      Reply
  9. Indra Raj Pathak says

    August 30, 2021 at 12:22 pm

    What a piece of emotional paradox. Well done, Laura.

    Reply
    • laura besley says

      January 31, 2022 at 3:17 am

      Thank you so much!

      Reply

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