Copyright Bokeh-Priya-Bajpal
Funny thing about Mother; slowly, surreptitiously, she just kinda sucked the heart out of you. One by one, people diminished, gave up, drifted away.
Some of us, like my father, suddenly went bang; but my sisters and I, we just slowly wound down, crumbling, giving in, until finally we stopped functioning altogether.
All except Willie, the youngest of us kids. He just went drumming on, like some damn automaton, plugging away at life, refusing to get sucked under.
And that was what finished her… in the end; without his, her jar of hearts wasn’t worth a dime.
Pressed for time again today, a re-run. In fact, probably a re-re-run. One of my favourites though, because it enables me to provide a link to one of my favourite songs, Jar of Hearts. I’m a sucker for harmonic progression. Thanks to Rochelle, for her leadership of Friday Fictioneers.
castelsarrasin 
Dear Sandra,
This sounds dangerously like a few people I know. I’ve managed to drift away but not without the guilt that accompanies it. I’m glad you reran this one. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle. Sometimes you have to indulge in self preservation but it’s generally accompanied with a side serving of guilt, unfortunately.
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Fascinating characters
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Thanks, Neil.
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I thought about these characters for some time. They all left me in despair.
Touching story.
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Sorry to have depressed you. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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That’s the success of a good writer like you. Please keep going.💝
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Fabulous story – loved the voice – and the ending!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Many thanks, Susan.
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Willie sounds a strong character, just like his mother!
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And you know what happens when two strong characters come head to head. Thanks for reading, Clare.
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I commented recently on how incisively you view and describe the human condition.
This is another master class in Flash Fiction.
And I never follow links, but I did.
Great song.
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Absolutely spot-on, CE!
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Aww glad you liked it, CE. And especially that song. I never tire of listening to it.
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A sad tale. I have known some people like that, alas. Well done.
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So have I, sadly.
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She got what she deserved with Willie it seems. Now, I’ll have Jar of Hearts running through my mind for the rest of the day!
Click to read my FriFic tale!
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I love to pass on an ear worm. Thanks for reading, Keith.
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Oh, very good…you are a masterful observer
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Thanks, Sue. Glad you liked it.
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Hope Willie energetically continues to drum on.
That’s what life is all about. Keep doing what we love in the best possible way while we are alive.
Another Try – Anita
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Indeed it is.
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If someone to stands up to a bully, they may wither away, well done Willie
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Hopefully true. Thanks for reading Michael.
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Nicely done as usual, Sandra. Good for Willy. May more people be like him in those situations! (When I saw the title, I was sure the story was going to go somewhere much more literal and gruesome.)
janet
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Ah, those days are behind me now, Janet. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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Are they?? I would have my doubts. 😉
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O ye of little faith… 😉
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Trust but verify. 🙂
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What an incisive picture of a matriarch and her dependent family! I loved the song, too. You’re right – that repeated slip from major to minor is absolutely gorgeous; borrowed from New Orleans jazz, I suspect. Thanks for the link. Like CE I hardly ever follow links but your link was well worth it!
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I read a technical review of that composition, most of which was beyond me as I’m not terribly musical, but the conclusion they drew was that it was a masterpiece of chord progression. I’m glad you liked the song, and the story.
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Oh, this mother reminds me so much of a person I know. You captured her perfectly. And, like Father, your last line finished the story with a bang!
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Yes, it reminds me, rather painfully, of someone I knew. Thanks for reading, Alicia.
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Willie was mother’s favourite, was he? When everyone gave up on her, he continued.
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Well he might have been her favourite, but the point was that he refused to bow down to her domination, which just about broke her. Thanks for reading.
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Well done, Willie! Perils of a family succumbing to the abusive manipulative matriarch. It was a sad tale told so beautifully. I’ve seen some mothers like this, they just suck the life out of everyone. Not all mothers are a gift from God i guess!
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It’s nice when they are, and many are. But it’s equally nice when you can eventually come to terms with the fact that they’re not and just carry on. Thanks for reading.
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Jar of hearts- brilliant. I’ll remember that..
gramswisewords.blogspot.com
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She sounds like quite the soul-sucker. I’m glad at least Willie was able to push through.
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Love both the story and the song!
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A fine portrayal. I known people like Willie they just keep going on, oblivious/impervious to everything else around them..
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I’m so glad Willie was impervious to his mother’s manipulations. Another masterpiece story, Sandra!
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mothers are supposed to nurturing. i guess there are exceptions.
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Realistic characterization of the mother, seen some, but they get their match sometimes. Beautifully written.
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Great piece, which song are you referring to?
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Go listen by clicking on the link, Shrawls!!
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Ah yes! That’s how the internet works!! Sounds very much like a song called Halo by Beyoncé around the chorus, not my type of tunes but suspiciously so! Just made the family morning tea to jar of hearts with metaphorical tears running down my cheeks!
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There ya go… you mush, you…
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“Suddenly went bang!” What A very abrupt and powerful way to suggest suicide. I cannot help thinking of a certain bunny on tv when You describe Willie. Sounds like he did everyone a favor.
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That’s exactly what I hoped people would think. There’s no better graphic for how I wanted Willie to come across. Thank you!
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There are those who thrive on sucking the life out of others. I’ve unfortunately knows such soul suckers…
Well done! And yes, lovely song!
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Thanks Dale, glad you liked it.
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It somehow reminded me of the ‘evil queen’. Sounds scary. Very well written.
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Thanks for commenting, Priya.
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My first mother-in-law was like that. Even now her sons hate her, and she’s been dead twenty years.
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That’s really sad. Thanks for reading.
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Wow – that is so thought provoking and eloquent! Such a wonderful observation of what people can do and be. I love this.
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Thank you Anna 🙂
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I actually know a few people like this. Very controlling. You captured this piece very well.
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Yes, there are more of them around than you’d imagine. Thank you.
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Some people can be very draining and demanding, but others (like Willie) can be a tough nut to crack. Excellent piece, Sandra.
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I love a survivor. Thanks for reading, Russell.
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A grim story, Sandra, and such a succinct and apt portrayal of characters like the mother.
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Thanks, Margaret.
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Sounding like a broken record here, but this is another exceptional piece from you, Sandra. Insightful, precise, intelligent, and always heart-breaking. I know someone like her, too. It’s a never ending fight.
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It is. But it’s worth the fight. Thanks for your comment! 🙂
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So, you knew my mom? Nicely done.
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🙂 Thank you.
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Sandra, I am having a wonderful afternoon parked in the lounge room with my laptop with the air-con going and my dogs bringing me fragments of tennis ball while reading through this week’s takes inbetween what could only be called a salvage mission in our daughter’s room. She’s away and I’ve pulled the room apart trying to get some kind of order. I knew it was bad but we’ve been so busy that I haven’t had a chance to get in there and it’s easier with her away.
That jar of hearts was chilling but don’t we all know someone like that, hopefully not too personally. I clicked through to the song and absolutely loved it. Will have to download that one. It’s sad in a way but there’s a real strength and determination in her and that’s what draws me in. She’s a survivor, not a victim.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Thanks for reading, Rowena, and glad you enjoyed the song.
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Ooh, how I know women like this, that suck the joy and pleasure from other people – and they so often do it to their own children and their spouses! Beautifully captured truth Sandra
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Thanks, Lynn. 🙂
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expert character study. I feel empty when I read it.
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Thanks for reading, Violet.
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The therapist in me jumped right to Narcissist, which may or may not be the case; too bad the others in the family didn’t have the fortitude of the youngest.
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I think narcissist sums it up fine! Thanks for reading.
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Nice one Sandra, the bullies can’t cope with those of independent, undaunted spirit.
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Not one jot. Thanks for reading, Michael.
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Oh it’s dark…. A mother who sucks life.. Whoa
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Thanks for reading.
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Too bad Willie wasn’t the first born, but then perhaps it was his birth order that gave him his power.
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Perhaps so. The youngest always seem to be born survivors.
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Quite an apt prompt for what I’m currently going through. I’m also turning away beating my one drum, but as you say, it isn’t without that side serving of guilt.
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When you are able at last to become impervious but cordial, it will have been worth the effort. Good luck, and thanks for reading and commenting, Fatima.
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Excellent piece, Sandra. I loved the fact that the youngest didn’t get sucked up into the demoralizing drama.
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