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on entering decade three as a divorcee--good heavens, not this again...

"You know, Abi, Honey, you've always been so intense--maybe you should try being more friendly and open to meeting new people."

Despite my best efforts to deny that her comments have any effect on me, I can already feel myself regressing, suppressing the urge to flick a pea across the table as she turns to my father while he's offering a critique on the baked chicken breast.

"Mom, do you think really think I could be this pleasant with just any random stranger I meet?"--I know how to deflect...

 

insinuations and innuendos

and since when does Mom call me "Honey"?

 

everything from hints that she

thinks maybe I'm a lesbian to suggestions

that, though I'm high functioning, I'm probably

still somewhere on the autism spectrum;

 

everything from pity to loaded questions

that read more like statements bordering on accusation,

 

"Why, reasonably attractive and intelligent as you seem

are you still alone in this world that appraises your station

based on relationship status or function as part of a network or team?"

 

For heaven's sake, here we go again...

◄ year of the jackal

heosphoros ►

Comments

elPintor

Mon 6th Aug 2018 00:16

Hey everybody and thanks for reading and all of your lovely comments. Really, I can't possibly blame all of that on my mother--it only made the story run a bit smoother.

Truthfully, the closest thing to fact in the entire piece is the part about me flicking peas across the table (I would do almost anything to get out of eating them)--and, I can't forget, almost twenty years living single. The rest is a sort of emulsion brewed from various comments I've received from people concerned about my persistent single status.

A book or short story would be great but, along with the other flaws with which I seem to be plagued, I also have a somewhat short attention span.

Thanks again..enjoying what's left of a splendidly unproductive weekend here in the States...

Rachel x

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Martin Elder

Sun 5th Aug 2018 14:37

yes I must also agree with Colin. At the very least it begs the opener to a short story or a play, But either way I love the passion and energy that comes form this poem.


Love it Rachel

<Deleted User> (19836)

Sun 5th Aug 2018 13:42

I agree with Colin. This sounds like a great opener for a really good book. I know I'd read it!

Well done. Thank you. Jane?

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Hazel ettridge

Sun 5th Aug 2018 10:26

PS love the title.

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Hazel ettridge

Sun 5th Aug 2018 10:25

Is the last verse really a mum quote? Sounds a bit too considered, but then, I don't know your mum. Or is it a society quote?
Lovely tone to this. Quite Pinteresque.

<Deleted User> (13762)

Sun 5th Aug 2018 08:31

you should write a novel, maybe. This is a great opener. Col.

elPintor

Sun 5th Aug 2018 06:00

I would welcome any criticism offered.

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