Copyright Jan Wayne Fields
There’s an air of orderliness about him that I wouldn’t have expected.
But when she brings in the tea, pale amber liquid, baby-pink wafers, china cups with impossibly diminutive handles, I understand more clearly.
She sits, primly smoothing her skirt, watching us, bird-like.
When the phone rings she leaves us.
“You’ve changed,” I say. “I’d never have imagined…”
“No you’ve changed,” he interrupts haughtily, “there was a time when nothing was beyond your imagination.”
The barbs still fly. Old wounds still fester.
There’s something reassuring about vintage hostilities though; they can keep you warm in a world gone cold with indifference.
A belated Happy New Year to all Friday Fictioneers. Thanks to Rochelle for leading us into what we hope is a better one for all of us, wherever we are.
castelsarrasin 
I love it. Especially the perceptiveness of the last line. How interesting that we both saw a domestic in that image
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I wish the general environs of my desk were even half that organised. Thanks for reading, Neil.
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I know what you mean. Somehow, things never seem to make it to the organizer & simply fall besides.
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A friendship like a comfortable old blanket. Happy New Year Sandra, hope you stay safe and well.
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A friendship or an hostile relationship, either can be comfortable to wrap yourself around.
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Dear Sandra,
Some habits might not be pleasant, but they’re comfortable like an old pair of shoes. I think I related to this one all too well. 😉 Good job.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sometimes it’s hard to break a fractious relationship. Often not to be even contemplated. Thanks for reading, Rochelle.
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Insightful, as usual. Well done.
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Many thanks, Trish.
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Enjoyed the last line. Wise words.
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Thanks for reading, Tannille.
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Sometimes I hope we never meet, because you see right into the soul.
I read it that he’s still bitter about being rejected.
As we say here, impec!
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He’s bitter about something, for sure. Way too edgy a relationship for me. Thanks for reading, CE.
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This was one of those that I read more than once. Just because it is that good. You’ve such a knack for subtlety. Wonderfully done!
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Aww thanks Dale. It’s always good to know something is worth a re-read. 🙂
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Yours always are. Sometimes because I am not clever enough on the first read, most times because it’s just too delicious to NOT do so.
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I share the computer desk with my ADD husband. I’ve had to accept that it will never, ever, be orderly by my own standards. There are just too many squirrels in there!
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Yes, I understand that. I couldn’t share a desk with mine. But he helps himself to all my office equipment and then denies it…
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Maybe he needs a time-out 🙂
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Feeling in an indifferent atmosphere… good take on this. When I saw the pale pinks and china, I almost envisioned a hoighty-toity business man sitting down to a tea party with a wee child.
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Thanks for reading.
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I enjoyed how you used the prompt. I fear the repeated strains of lockdown will test many.
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Thanks for reading Michael.
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Sometimes it’s so hard not to get in just one more barb. We hug our bitterness to us. Are we so afraid of the void of indifference? Very well done, very thought-provoking.
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Thanks for reading Eugenia. 🙂
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I’ll take the indifference any day!
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I think I might. I’m not the best for dealing with snippy people.
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🙂
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Ooh, I loved guessing at the relatonship between these two, and what brought them back together. So many possibilities, but the sharpness says to me it’s an ex-wife meeting her replacement for the first time. Anyway, it’s beautifully written, Sandra. I have missed reading your characters.
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Thanks so much Jen. I can’t express how nice it will be to see you back on the squares on a regular basis.
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A perfect relationship can too easily become stale and lose its spark. Vive la difference!
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Thanks for reading, Keith.
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Elegant. Full of insight. You give it great impact by your exquisite and so-appropriate descriptions. Lovely!
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Thanks so much Penny.
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I believe he like things he can control.
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And I believe she can’t bear to be controlled. 🙂 Thanks for reading, Oneta.
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Like a fencing match with words. An unresolved issue percolates the tension.
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Thanks for reading, James.
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Sandra, It’s easy to see the narrator of this little domestic aperçu was never as easily controlled as the new mistress. The source of the tension, perhaps? You’ve rendered the scene with cinematic force. Truly enjoyable!
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Many thanks, Dora.
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‘vintage hostilities’ I love that turn-of-word phrase!! Enjoyed.
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Thanks for reading, Roger.
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I enjoyed reading this tale, Sandra. The last line unveils a great deal.
Like, Roger(above) “vintage hostilities” are stellar words saying so much.
Happy New Year 2021 …. Be Safe 😷
Isadora 😎
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Thanks Isadora, and you stay safe too.
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You are the master of details. I clearly imagined the scene and the underlying “vintage hostilities.” Excellent story, Sandra! Belated Happy New Year to you as well!
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Thanks Brenda! And a happy New Year to you too. Let’s hope it’s a different one.
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Something familiar to cling to, even if not the friendliest of relationships.
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Thanks for reading 🙂
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This was thought-provoking. Do we want to deal with people’s bitterness or their indifference? Is this all it comes down to? Hope not! Yet, sometimes the familiar can seem comforting even if it is hostile and toxic. You do this flash fiction thing so well.
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Many thanks, Fatima.
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I imagine they used to be married. Great observation, as always.
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Thanks for reading, Liz.
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my hat goes off to them. it looks like they’d been together for so long and still endure each other’s idiosyncrasy.
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Yes, sometimes it’s hard to shake yourself free. Even when you are free.
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Love that. Especially the words “vintage hostilities.” Perhaps a good substitute for indifference as you mention.
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Thanks for reading.
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I love this little cameo, Sandra. You tell us so much in just enough words. 👏🏻
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Many thanks!
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Well orchestrated Sandra. I could sense the almost teasing hostilities beyond the façade of new appearances.
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