She placed the bowl of fruit at the center of the table. Preparing for her mother's monthly visit was always stressful. Nothing ever looked quite in place. There was always a complaint. Upon arriving, Mary's mother exclaimed, "The furniture is crooked."
Something never felt right about this apartment anyways. Mary moved in last year after the divorce had settled. It's much smaller than her old house. She's constrained to a tiny bedroom, a living room, and the kitchen. Although her space doesn't feel like home, she's content.
Everybody thought she was crazy to leave. Her mother would say, "He has a great job! He's nice to you. Back in my day you were lucky if your husband even had a job. They were all drunks who were never satisfied with the meal you cooked for them. If you disagreed with them, they'd remind you who the man of the house was with the back of their hand." Mary, the offspring of a tumultuous marriage between two complete opposites, never believed in true love anyways.
Photo by Oana Hodirnau on Unsplash
It was almost as if I could hear her words to her, by her mother. Contentment is a big thing to seek, no matter what the lifestyle. Nice story you have here. :-)
I identify with Mary... And I understand the mom from the previous generation. Women did put up with a lot from men who were abusive, or just who took them for granted. A lot changes when you make that step. But I also understand how she is content.
I’m glad for the character to want more from her life than what her mother has.
It reminded me a little about about what I wrote yesterday.
My blog entry took a total different turn.
Mary's mothers voice just stood out to me in that last paragraph. Just seemed like the scenario could be so real!
Nice little trip into Mary's life. If only mother's were as easy to ditch as husbands!
Wow. You really brought this scene to life! Great emotion in this piece. Thanks for sharing.
Also, I am visiting all of the freewriters who commented yesterday to help @mariannewest so here is the prompt for today!
Thanks for joining us!
@byn
A very sad true story that unfortunately happens still to this day.
well written.
great job!!