I dislike the woman opposite me straightaway. We’re attending an ‘Understanding Your Displacement’ workshop. Vegas-loud, she brags about climbing Everest. Boasts she can move mountains too. She’s run a successful hair salon and marathons; lost forty pounds. She parachutes from planes. Returned to college as a mature student and graduated with honors. Her artwork is displayed.
I see all my many half-finished projects. Sigh.
When her husband picks her up, she cowers mouse-like. Squeaks her replies as he badgers, bullies, and belittles.
Inspiration hits. I’ll invite her for coffee. Encourage her to undertake a different challenge.
My little projects can wait.
Love this, Sherry!
Thanks, Laura! Always appreciate your support!
Sherry, when I turned on my phone this morning, I found your story waiting. Great piece! Concise, mature. You help the reader understand both women’s emotions. Excellent use of verbs & alliteration: brags, boasts, badgers, bullies, belittles. I liked the sentence where you cleverly coupled two distinct nouns (salon & marathons) with one verb (run). And how your narrator’s humble, understated final sentence locks in the title. Thank you. I’ll find what else you’ve written.
Wow, Neil! Thanks so much for your kind comments. Really appreciate your close read of the piece and glad you liked it. You’ve made my day! 🙂
I love the twist in this and the nod to the title representing them both. Well done!!!
Thanks so much, Nina. Appreciate your comments and thanks for reading.
So much to think and to talk about after reading those 100 words.
Writing about empathy towards strong looking people, challenging!
Congratulations Sherry!
Thanks for reading and your kind comments. I’m glad you enjoyed the story.
Love this piece!! We seldom know what happens behind closed doors. Love the empathy in your writing!!
Thank you Pat. I appreciate your kind comments and taking the time to read my piece.
nice!
Cheers, Charlotte! Appreciate the read and comment.
You say so much in so little. A good example of surface impressions and what really lies beneath…well done 🙂