Copyright Sandra Crook
“I could always come and live with you.”
Her world tilts. Uncle Joe? In her apartment?
“You’re fine here, Joe. And they do let you smoke, within limits.”
“Five soddin’ fags a day,” he complains wheezily, “I could smoke all day at your place.”
You bloody well couldn’t, she rages, airways already narrowing at the prospect.
“Actually, I’ve rented out the spare room,” she lies, “a friend lost her job…”
“I’m family,” he whines, “I come first.”
“She’s nowhere else to be. You have.” Her voice hardens with resolve.
The visitors’ bell rings, freedom looms.
Alongside countless nights of relentless self-recrimination.
Only two more Friday Fictioneer posts to go before we see the end of this dreadful year. Thanks to Rochelle for anchoring us to a regular weekly point of sanity and diversion throughout 2020.
castelsarrasin 
One has to make a choice, at times.
LikeLike
And not reproach oneself later. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course!
LikeLike
I like the tension here between doing what’s comfortable and doing what’s right
LikeLike
Thanks for reading, Neil.
LikeLike
Life as reality, full of emotional conflict.
Brilliant, as ever.
LikeLike
Thanks CE. Life can offer up some very difficult choices.
LikeLike
Excellent slice of family interaction.
LikeLike
Thanks for reading.
LikeLike
I hope she doesn’t feel to bad about her actions. The smoking alone is enough to tell me she’s doing the right thing!
LikeLike
Yes, I might find that a little difficult to tolerate too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Sandra,
I can’t blame her. I couldn’t tolerate the constant smoking. Her quandary is tangible. Not an easy decision. Well written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Yes, as an ex smoker I’ve scaled the heights of intolerance for the smoking fraternity. 🙂
thanks for reading.
LikeLike
Some people just shouldn’t live together. She might just kill him to defend her lungs!
LikeLike
Yes, I think that’s more than just a possibility.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love how you’ve created a massive story in so few words: ‘her world tilts’ is genius.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
LikeLike
Family may be family but that doesn’t mean we have to give up our own life for them… She is smart to hold her ground because she would have been miserable!
Always so well done.
LikeLike
Thanks Dale. There are certain things you think you ought to do, but you know in your heart of hearts that you would make someone’s life a misery if you gave into those thoughts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. And if you decide to do them despite the niggling in your gut, you usually end up regretting it! And the relationship takes a beating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Uh oh, family
LikeLike
An endless source of inspiration, for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tough spot to be in. A smoking, wheezy whiner, though? I think I’d have lied, too.
LikeLike
Sometimes it’s better to bite the bullet and live with the guilt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes a white lie is the kindest way to solve a difficult situation.
LikeLike
I think so, Keith.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Guilt is insidious, but living together would be a nightmare for them both.
LikeLike
It would be a fairly short-lived nightmare if it were me. Thanks for reading.
LikeLike
She did the right thing. My dad was a heavy smoker. I’m pretty sure I’m going to die of lung cancer, and I’ve never smoked a cigarette.
LikeLike
Nothing worse than spending time with heavy smokers. I once was one myself, I know now what a PITA I must have been to my friends.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You must do what you must! Self preservation is more important than family
LikeLike
I think her own life might no be the only one that needs preserving. Thanks for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Family — you can’t live with them, you …. can’t live with them. Good story on a topic most can relate to.
LikeLike
🙂 🙂 That’s true enough. Thanks for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 You’re welcome.
LikeLike
life is short. be mindful of staying away from negative folks.
LikeLike
Yep, those are the hardest words to swallow “”But, I’m family”. It is always on their terms with a never ending demand for support. A story of our times.
LikeLike
Such a difficult choice to have to make. She’s be miserable if Uncle Joe moved in, though.
LikeLike
I’m pretty sure she is doing the right thing here. Well written!
LikeLike
I think she made the right decision. Perhaps if he weren’t a smoker than she might have considered having him stay with her. As it turns out, he’s does and she had to think about her health.
LikeLike