Copyright Ted Strutz
“She sees the best in everyone,” he said.
“Lucky for you then,” I snapped, coldly.
He flushed. “You couldn’t just be happy for us, I suppose?”
“You’re so right.”
In a shower of rose-petals, silver horseshoes and rice, he and my sister drove away,
He turned out to be the no-hoper I’d always known he’d be, but he made her happy, and he nursed her right to the end.
Today, in the same church-yard, pansies flourish in the grass.
“I’m nothing without her,” he sighs.
“Don’t put yourself down,” I say.
There’ll always be people like me to do that.
It’s lovely to see a bunch of spring flowers on a grey day like today, even if they are nestling inside a less than salubrious vase, so thank you for that Ted Strutz. (And yes, I did use the word ‘flushed’ deliberately.) 🙂 Friday Fictioneers is hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields, a very talented author/illustrator, who leads a busy, busy life. Thank you Rochelle, for finding the time.
castelsarrasin 
Dear Sandra,
Bittersweet and poignant tale. I felt rather sorry for the brother in law and the last line made me laugh and wince at the same time. No surprise that it’s well written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Rochelle. Families, hey?
LikeLike
Being happy in life is one of the most valuable things one can have. So it seems he did right by her.
LikeLike
Thanks for reading Michael.
LikeLike
Very sweet.
LikeLike
Oh dear… 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
The sister in law is a very interesting character.
LikeLike
Not to mention malevolent… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brought a big smile at the end. I know that family too.
LikeLike
🙂 That’s a shame.
LikeLike
This story, although different, reminded me a bit of Ashley and Melanie in “Gone With The Wind”. Your description and dialogue make it all seem realistic Sandra. Well written as always. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLike
You don’t have to go far to find a bossy sister, I guess, Suzanne. Thanks for reading.
LikeLike
I believe we all at some point in our lives know of a couple where we don’t approve of the spouse. This story very much hit a soft spot in my life. I just pray I am not bitter like that forever toward him. Isn’t it great when a story can reveal something about yourself you are trying to hide, even when it hurts? Thank for this story. It definitely won’t every leave me.
Ashley Danielle
LikeLike
Thank you Ashley. I’m glad it struck home with you, but not too painfully, I hope.
LikeLike
You’ve captured a character in so few words – wonderful. The use of ‘flushed’ did make me smile.
LikeLike
Just thought I’d edged it a bit closer to the prompt. 🙂 Thanks for dropping by, Claire.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank goodness for other reader’s close attention! I didn’t catch the ‘flushed’.
LikeLike
Superbly written, with authentic dialogue.
I hope not too close to home, Sandra.
LikeLike
A lot of my stories have their origins close to home, CE, but I can honestly say that I don’t have a sister. Though I suspect, if I had, we might not get on. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
LikeLike
I am happy to hear that this particular tale is fiction, Sandra.
Or, at least, is not first hand experience.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That last line is a killer. Such a hard-hitting and well constructed story, epitome of life’s truths.
LikeLike
Thank you Lore. Glad you liked it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A crunchy tale full of malignancy and irony
LikeLike
“Crunchy” is good. 🙂 I like that. Thank you.
LikeLike
Your title says it all. Totally adds those extra words! And I half-wish the last line wasn’t there, that she had become gracious after all the years… Family. They are the worst!
LikeLike
Ah! Now I meant the last line to come across as something slightly rueful, a kind of self-critical unbending of a bossy sister. But I agree, there’s always plenty of fodder for stories from within the bosom of the family. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It did indeed! I have one such sister…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Prickly tale so well delivered! Families are land mines I think. Walk with your eyes open and armour well -strapped..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed. And leave the exit door open behind you. Thanks Emmy.
LikeLike
Families! Sad tale but I felt hopeful at the end she’d be less judgemental in future.
LikeLike
Yes, I hoped so too. Thanks for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic, Sandra. How on earth do you weave this wonderful short tales so quickly? I’m impressed. “Flushed” was inserted so naturally that I had to go back and reread to find it. Ha!
All my best,
Marie Gail
LikeLike
🙂 Thanks MG. If I don’t get a story out quickly, then likely as not I may not get one out at all. I can literally feel the inspiration draining away as the clock ticks by. Glad you found the flush eventually. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
He flushed! How appropriate!
LikeLike
🙂 I thought so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I laughed at the last line. Still, I feel a bit sorry for the bro-in-law.
LikeLike
Yes he does seem to be one of life’s losers, I’m afraid. Thanks for reading Alicia.
LikeLike
I’m not sure why she’s so embittered, although I must say I wondered with him flushing whether the sister had stolen the narrator’s man. But maybe she’s just a grumpus. Either way I particularly liked the line about “he turned out to be a no-hoper” – anyone who makes his wife happy and nurses her to the end is a funny kind of no-hoper, so I’m glad the narrator’s a little redeemed at the end.
Jen
LikeLike
Thanks for reading Jen 🙂 Maybe bitterness is second nature to her.
LikeLike
Haha that last line made me chuckle even whilst I felt sorry for him.
LikeLike
Glad you liked it. 🙂
LikeLike
Love your choice of words! lol
LikeLike
There’s a lot of them to choose from – I never get tired of it. Thanks for reading Dawn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m with Jennifer. I thought the “flushed” meant that they were together in the bathroom when he flushed which would have made them intimates and thus explaining the bitterness. No-hoper – I’m going to use that some day.
Tracey
LikeLike
Now there was me thinking ‘no-hoper’ was an American expression. Thanks for reading Tracey.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did wonder about “flushed”! Thanks for clarifying. Good story! Sometimes no one is good enough for our sisters (or our daughters or nieces).
LikeLike
Yes, we all have our own opinions on their choices. The art is keeping them to yourself. 🙂
LikeLike
It’s so true, there’s always someone round to put you down, normally out of jealousy. Hopefully, he can ignore it and maybe she’s learnt lesson.
LikeLike
I think he’s probably used to it. About her lesson… well hopefully.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a fantastic thumbnail of the “sister-in-law” really a rather nasty piece of work isn’t she! An oddly she seems to know it herself – which isn’t normal for this sort of person I think .. so I guress there’s still hope for her.
LikeLike
Sometimes people just can’t help themselves, I guess. I’m known for having something of a sharp tongue myself in our family. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
A sharp tongue can be a draw back at time .. but than again it’s also usually tied up with quick wit as well. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
At least he made her happy, that’s the main thing. Your title is very apt!
LikeLike
That’s what counts, in the end. Thanks for reading. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice story. And yes, I caught the “flushed” and giggled since I blatantly used the word “crap.” 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was surprised we didn’t have more ‘crap’ this week. Thanks for reading.
LikeLike
Ha ha. Me too! 🙂
LikeLike
The lives of three whole characters perfectly captured in just 100 words. Well done!
LikeLike
There’s the challenge of it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely loving the range of emotions and just as I though she had warmed up in the end…Great job. I missed reading stories from FF and I hope to rejoin soon enough 🙂
LikeLike
Look forward to reading yours again. Thanks for dropping by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
In a world where we all would do the obvious, you did the in-obvious. Class with a capital K, Sandra. Super story! 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Kent, appreciate your dropping by. 🙂
LikeLike
Anytime. 😉
LikeLike
he loved her and made her happy. i think that was the most important.
LikeLike
You’re right.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sandra, You have bought out the complexity of their relationship and two characters in 100 words. Amazing!
LikeLike
Thank you Ansumani! 🙂
LikeLike
He was of far more to her than the brother could ever conceive because she saw him with that inexplicable thing called love. But I wanted to see the Twilight Episode with the same name and all those pig-faced doctors!
LikeLike
🙂 I’ll go for that next time then, Perry.
LikeLike
Ha! That last line killed me me with laughter.
This gal will make someone a great mother in-law.
We all have our roles in life. She has hers figured out and down pat.
LikeLike
She’s made an art form out of hers, I think. Thanks for reading Russell.
LikeLike
You describe so eloquently the assumptions families can make about other member’s choices of partner.
LikeLike
Yes, and really it’s nothing to do with us, is it. But we still go on being critical.
LikeLike
This wise tale you penned beautifully, moved me. Well done!
LikeLike
Thank you Oliana. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved how you inserted the “flushed.” You are so clever, Sandra. It’s hard to see our loved ones with someone we don’t like. Well done.
LikeLike
Thanks Amy. The urge to get them settled with people we deem suitable can sometimes be overwhelming. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
“He turned out to be the no-hoper I’d always known he’d be, ” What a beautifully acidic line!
LikeLike
I’ve had plenty of practice at ‘acidity’ Joseph. 🙂
LikeLike
Gosh, I could be that person. I don’t have a sister, but I’ve seen friends being with the ‘wrong person’… I love how your MC grudgingly admits that there might be, just a tiny, little good side to the guy if he did care so much. And I was glad about the last line, made me laugh despite the sad. She’s being herself…
LikeLike
Thanks Gah. I’m hoping she’s coming to terms with herself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A whole life journey captured in a hundred words. My goodness. What an incredible picture of a character, told in her responses, her sharp observations, her unwavering lack of compassion or connection. I have sympathy for the brother in law and sister, but also for the narrator, because she has to live with herself. She knows who she is—that is revealed clearly in the punch of your last line. This is very powerful, Sandra. Sad on many levels.
LikeLike
Thank you Helena. A very succinct summary of her position. 🙂
LikeLike
The last few lines speak ever so clearly the personalities at play within the story. Such a very well crafted story indeed, I enjoyed reading this.
LikeLike
At least she is honest. Another interesting character crafted by you.
LikeLike