Copyright Mikhael Sublett
He’s gone. And once again we start to pick up the pieces.
There are egos to be restored, confidences to be rebuilt, dreams to be resurrected, wounds to be healed.
Like a hurricane, every year he bowls in, strewing gifts in his wake, invoking a past that we’d mostly forgotten, or at least buried so deep in our consciousness there was only the slimmest chance of revisiting it. But he was always a man for the long odds.
“I’m proud of you all,” he said, leaving. “Everything you are is because of me.”
No disputing the accuracy of that observation.
I so wanted to write something different to this, but you have to take what the muse is willing to offer. And I had said I’d try to make it to Friday Fictioneers every week until the end of the year. Rain, snow or hail, Rochelle always manages to make it here. Thank you, Rochelle.
castelsarrasin 
Subtle. Brutal. Acutely observed. Expertly rendered.
LikeLike
Thanks CE. Glad you liked it.
LikeLike
I don’t see any need to apologise for this. This character portrait of the dysfunctional family and the egotistical father is brilliant
LikeLike
Thanks Neil. I appreciate your comment.
LikeLike
Dear Sandra,
Whether new or retread, you should never apologize for your brilliant writing. This puts an exclamation point in how I’m feeling about the holidays. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Thanks Rochelle. Sometimes Christmas just seems to come around too soon. I know how you feel.
LikeLike
Reminds me of many corporate heads…
LikeLike
Indeed! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Reena Saxena.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think a lot of families have someone like this. You captured the situation.
LikeLike
Thanks, Tannille.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nor the arrogance! 😀
LikeLike
Ego personified. Thanks for reading.
LikeLike
Excellent double meaning there. Great story.
LikeLike
Many thanks for reading.
LikeLike
At first I thought you had written a tale of Mr. Claus visiting, but nothing so trite and cheery from you Sandra! Expertly done as always.
LikeLike
Cheery? Moi? 🙂 Thanks for reading Iain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Both subtle and brutal…..great write
LikeLike
Thank you Sue.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This ugly man has more than one mental health diagnosis, with one of them being Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Woe to the people in his path. He is the only one who matters.
Perfectly depicted, Sandra.
LikeLike
*diagnoses
LikeLike
Thanks Linda. He’s a one-off, for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Powerful story – so vividly drawn. Up to your usual standard, Sandra – never ignore what the muse offers!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
LikeLike
Can’t afford to these days, Susan. Thanks for reading.
LikeLike
Some folks are forces to be reckoned with; some in a positive way, most in a negative one. This guy – how does he sleep at night? Proud, indeed.
Well done, Madame!
LikeLike
Thanks Dale, glad you liked it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Damn that Santa Claus!
LikeLike
🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oy. … And I’d say, not everything they are is because of him. … But the good things they are, are IN SPITE of him …
LikeLike
True indeed. Thanks for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
More power to your Muse, Sandra.
Happy holidays.
LikeLike
Thanks, Natasha. I’m hoping he or she will put in a few more appearances in the new year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A stunning last line. A very accurate description of a megalomaniac, a narcissist, a man doomed.
Beautiful characterisation, Sandra.
LikeLike
Thanks Neil. Glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLike
Ha, great and very cutting last line.
LikeLike
Thanks. Incidentally, your website seems to need a sign-in now. Is there a reason for this?
LikeLike
Excellent. You captured the character brilliantly.
LikeLike
Keenly observed and incisively written. I wonder how he became the way he is?
LikeLike
They should probably;y stop inviting him round for Christmas, brilliantly perceived as ever! Great stuff
LikeLike
i’m sure it’s not the end of him. he’ll be back like a cat of nine lives.
LikeLike
A really intriguing piece that gets better every time you re-read it. Loved the line about the long odds.
LikeLike
Gone but making sure he’s not forgotten.A gem.
LikeLike
I like the wry, bittersweet last line. Toxic parenthood is never forgotten as it becomes part of the fabric of who we are.
LikeLike
Very well done, and so accurate to a lot of situations out there!
LikeLike
A topical piece,
LikeLike