Sunday, April 10, 2011

April showers...my Saturday Centus offering

I was sitting outside reading last weeks links and enjoying a cool breeze and two curious hummingbirds trying to dive bomb my bright red laptop.

Earlier today I had written an April showers post but I came up with another idea so I'm going in a different direction. The prompt for week 49 is in bold.

This little story is linked to week 49 of Saturday Centus. To read other offerings, just click here.



“Just laugh,” my Mom threatened. “Don’t make me get him.”

“Fine,” I retorted, “Pilgrims! Are you happy now?”

My Mom stormed out and returned dragging my Dad. “She’s being a smart-ass! Make her be nice!”

Slowly taking off this belt, he asked me, “Is it the ‘if April showers bring May flowers, what do Mayflowers bring’ joke’?”

“Yes! But, it’s not fair, Dad. She never laughs at my jokes! Why do I have to laugh at her stupid ones? It’s…”

I let out a yelp as the belt met the bare skin of my legs.

“Your sister is dying,” he said grimly, “You will laugh.”

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17 comments:

Ms. A said...

Wow... I wasn't expecting that, you took me by surprise.

Dazee Dreamer said...

That was horrifying. I had to read it 3 times. Please tell me this isn't a true story. I can't handle it.

Tgoette said...

Wow. Talk about a tough crowd! LOL! That was awesome, Jenny! A very original take on the prompt and painfully visual to boot! Brava!

Bookie said...

Shocking! I guess I just wasn't expecting it with the nice spring time prompt. You got us!

Judie said...

I'm not exactly sure how to take this, because I was forced to acquiesce to my siblings WAY TOO OFTEN, and it really pissed me off. So I can identify with the heroine of your story, but it makes me furious when I see children being taken advantage of for silly reasons. Not laughing at a joke is certainly not going to make death easier on anyone.

Susan Anderson said...

I read it twice, too. Disturbing and unexpected!

(no wonder Tom loved it)

heehee

;)

Susan Anderson said...

I read it twice, too. Disturbing and unexpected!

(no wonder Tom loved it)

heehee

;)

Unknown said...

Wow! Showing us a different side of your writing! Although dark, I appreciate this unique take on the prompt.

Nonna said...

Excellent Jenny !
Whoa, you sure pulled the rug out from under me...Jenny taking a walk on the darkside, I love it !!!

Unknown said...

As an only child, even though it's just words, this hurt. Everyone says well done .... so well done.

Ames said...

I have seen a parent cater to the sick one and the other siblings suffer for it. Sad. I think the parent is so in fear of losing one that they don't realize they are losing the others.

That is definitely a darker side to your writing. You have just shown everyone that you are multi~talented. It's like when I first saw the movie The Majestic with Jim Carey. It was another side to his talent that I had not seen and I was impressed, just like I am impressed with your writing! Hugs!~Ames

Serline said...

The belting brought back nasty memories for my hubby... he was way too smart and precocious for his own good and got way more than average kid's physical punishment, such is the culture in a Chinese family of 30 years ago...

Julie Kwiatkowski Schuler said...

This is very dark, but so biting and absurd that you laugh in spite of yourself. Charles Bukowski sometimes makes me laugh like that.

21 Wits said...

Ooooops, just when I thought you were being so silly (as you do so well) you make me laugh most always....or cry with tears of too much laughter...but ruh-roh the end caught me totally by surprise! Great SS...I too finally got mine in....this weekend was too wild to be on time! Have a great week ahead Jenny!

Jo said...

whoa ... where did that come from? that was dark and sad and unexpected.

Unknown said...

Fabulous!! I love the twist:-)

Stop in and give my blog a read at The Voices Within Unleashed

cj Schlottman said...

Jenny,

Like some of the others, I had to read this post several times for it to sink in. I was so taken aback at the darkness of it, I couldn't take it in right away. You are one multi-talented writer, and despite the shadowy tone of this piece, I like it. The content makes me very uncomfortable, and that's the sign of a well done piece of writing.

Namaste..........cj