Image by Christine Renney
The boy’s dad took to calling the boy’s mum a shit-faced whore. He bandied these words without malice, it was just a nickname, a term of endearment and one of many but this was the one he had settled on, that had won out over the others.
‘Where is she? What’s she doing, the shit-faced whore?’ ‘Fetch my keys and make some tea, you shit-faced whore?’
‘Go and get me this and then do that, you shit-faced whore’
‘Oh, look at her, look at her face, the shit-faced whore’
The words tripped so lightly from his dad’s mouth that the boy didn’t really hear them, they hardly registered. But when his girlfriend heard his dad talking like this she had been stunned. The boy was shocked at the level of her anger, by just how indignant she became, although later his dad made her laugh and she began not to accept but to tolerate it. She even told him off ‘You shouldn’t call her that,’ she told him, ‘you really shouldn’t.’
And eventually he did stop, it had run its course and he started to call her by a different name.
I felt a real ache in this. One that is inescapable. You have a penchant for pouring your soul out. I have noticed that. Goodness, it pulls readers in. Peace to you.
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Ha I know that sometimes my writing can be a bit intense so thank you trE – I really do appreciate your words.
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You’re most welcome.
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The message being (for me): how far will things escalate if we stand by and take no action (although I may be misinterpreting this). This piece had really got me thinking, Mark. Thank you.
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Indeed there is that to it. When should we speak out but what if we cause it to escalate out of control? When should we be still? I wish I knew.
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And there is the crux of the matter.
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I love how you tamed the father
Great vehicle
Solid Mark
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As always Sheldon – succinctly summed up!
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Thats Ace! I love it 🙂
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Oh thank you Ogden.
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Layers upon layers here Mark. These sketches of yours are like parables for our times. So much said in a simple story. Or bumps in the sidewalk to make us trip, stop, and understand why.
Great photo too, Chris. More layers upon layers. Good one guys. As Sheldon says….solid.
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Dear Jana – we both thank you for your insightful words and love the way you consider our joint working. Chris says you always absorb so much and I agree. Your thoughts are important to us and we love to read them.
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Haha I loved the way you combined the vulgar with affection.
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Glad you picked up on the love within conflict.
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Reblogged this on The Brokedown Pamphlet and commented:
Christine and I have a new post on Highjacked Amygdala.
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Nice collaboration. I also like the way you showed the power of laughter to make someone likable, even against our better judgment.
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Ha yeah that’s kind of how it was,kind of how he was.
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I’m happy the Dad finally stopped. It may have been in good humour or an endearment, but he could’ve chosen better words. Glad the girlfriend of his son got through to him.
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So am I and thank you for taking the time to comment.
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You’re welcome 🙂
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