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Mum’s the Word

July 29, 2024 15 Comments

By Ken Towl

I went to my father to tell him that I wanted to get married to the girl next door, and he warned me off. That girl, he said, is your sister—half-sister, anyway.

Is that why Mum left you? I asked.

No, he said, your mother never found out. She left after another affair. I was quite a jack-the-lad back then, you know.

I’d always found my father repellent, but now more than ever.

I went to my mother and told her of my father’s boast.

Dry your tears, she said, smiling broadly: She’s not your sister. He’s not your father.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. lesley bungay says

    July 29, 2024 at 2:17 am

    Ha! Nice twist.

    Reply
  2. Peggy Gerber says

    July 29, 2024 at 7:26 am

    I love a happy ending.

    Reply
  3. Ephra Behn says

    July 29, 2024 at 7:36 am

    Touche! Cool story.

    Reply
  4. Mary says

    July 29, 2024 at 9:08 am

    Love it great twist great writing

    Reply
  5. Elizabeth says

    July 29, 2024 at 3:58 pm

    🙂

    Reply
  6. Shoshauna says

    July 29, 2024 at 4:38 pm

    Mum gets the last laugh!

    Reply
  7. MARK BURGESS says

    July 30, 2024 at 8:45 am

    Really enjoyed this. Great story telling.

    Reply
  8. Greg McKittrick says

    July 30, 2024 at 8:56 pm

    Brilliant. Thanks.

    Reply
  9. Toni Brayer says

    July 31, 2024 at 6:48 am

    Great ending. Well done!

    Reply
  10. Lisa H. Owens says

    July 31, 2024 at 8:51 am

    Touché! Nice twist.

    Reply
  11. Bud says

    July 31, 2024 at 11:03 am

    Great ending! Turnabout’s fair play.

    Reply
  12. Ramona Taylor says

    July 31, 2024 at 7:40 pm

    Well done! I really appreciate the ending.

    Reply
  13. Ramona Taylor says

    July 31, 2024 at 7:41 pm

    Great title too, since Mum has the last word

    Reply
  14. Marie says

    August 1, 2024 at 5:32 pm

    Thanks for the laugh, well done!

    Reply
  15. Charlotte Bennardo says

    August 5, 2024 at 11:29 am

    Ha Ha! Love the twist.

    Reply

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