Sugar Coated – 3 Word Wednesday

October 5, 2014freyathewriter 8 Comments

You were always a cold mother. Even as a tiny tot, parading up and down in the lounge, wearing toddler-sized heels and more than enough make-up for a grown woman, let alone a little girl like me, I knew that your heart was barren. I could never please you. There was always that crease between your eyebrows. Disappointment seeped out of your pores.

You wanted a blonde-haired, blue-eyed Barbie doll of a daughter. You wanted me to transform into a perfectly-proportioned teenager, into Homecoming Queen, into the girl that every boy wanted, and the girl that every other girl wanted to be. Instead, you got me, the short, stocky, brunette, grey-eyed, spectacle-wearing geek. The only thing I got intense about was chemistry. Make-up, nails and short skirts were not in my repertoire. I was not a daughter to be proud of, in your eyes.

Oh, you may well worry. You may well tell your friends that I’ll be an old maid, childless and your lip may curl when you spit out the words ‘chemist’. But you’re worrying about the wrong things, mother. Who brings you your morning coffee? Who brings her work home? Who is forgetful enough to pour poison into your special mug, instead of sugar?

Yes, you created a monster. But not the sort that you expected.

Sleep well, Mother dear.

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I decided to take part in something new! The lovely Angela at VisDare is taking a well-deserved break for October, to concentrate on her exciting writing project, and the rest of life in general. So, welcome one, welcome all, to Three Word Wednesday! I know it’s Sunday, but thankfully, we don’t have to contribute on a Wednesday, since I only blog at weekends, these days.

This week, the words are:

Barren

Intense

Worry

What a cheerful combination! I decided to link it up to my Five Sentence Fiction post, which you can read here. Let me know what you think of my response, and do pop over to the blog to see how others have responded!

Home Truths – Five Sentence Fiction

October 5, 2014October 5, 2014freyathewriter 12 Comments

Don’t judge me.

I have lived in this skin for nineteen years, I have breathed this life since you first put me on a pageant runway at the age of two.

You created me, yet you look at me as if I am a monster.

Look at yourself, mother, look at yourself.

I am who and what you made me.

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Here is my latest entry into the lovely Lillie’s Five Sentence Fiction, where she has provided this gorgeous photo for us as this week’s inspiration. Please do visit here to read, read, read some more! No two pieces will be the same…

False Lights – Magpie Tales

September 21, 2014freyathewriter 23 Comments

We struggle for money, aye. It’s always hand to mouth and Mum says it was the same for her growing up, and for Granny and Grandad, and for their parents too, Old Sam Trelawney and his wife, Smiling Nell.

They called her Smiling Nell after the scar that pulled her mouth upwards into a grin. When she was just been married and carrying my Grandad in her belly, she tripped on a rope and cut her face on her filleting knife down at the wharf.

Dad didn’t want us to be short of money and didn’t see why we should just be poor. He always said that times needed to change.

Well, they have now, with him in a sailor’s uniform, firing cannon and all.

Thing is, we have even less than before – a sailor’s pay ain’t so grand, not even half he got for setting down to the shore with his men, waving his lights and pulling the boats on to the rocks. I followed them all, silent as a ghost, lying on the cliff top out of sight of the Wrecker’s Moon. Yes, he risked his life and liberty then, but the rewards were mighty fine. I still have a silk shawl to prove it – it smells of the sea.

Now he’s away, earning the King’s shilling, and he might never come back

Nan says he brought it on himself and he should be thankful he didn’t swing for it.

Nan’s not always right, just like Mum never wants to hear the truth. Wrecking is mighty exciting, I think. I’m going to be the best lady wrecker in all of Cornwall when I’m old enough.

————

Here’s my latest entry into Magpie Tales – I hope you enjoy it! If it feels like you’ve stepped part way into a story, you’ll be right! Here’s the first instalment submitted to VisDare, and then the second instalment submitted to Five Sentence Fiction.

This week, they are all told by the same young lady, and we are treated to her own firm but (probably) fair views on life, death, truths and falsehoods. I hope you enjoy the stories – please do visit Magpie Tales for more!