© Fatima Fakier Deria
I stood and looked at the remains of the dinner party I’d thrown for the family. Chairs were hurriedly pushed back and skewed. Most of the time Alan had sat with his back to our Dad’s new wife. At least if there had been blood spilled it would have soaked into the sand around the tree. It was never like this when Mum was alive. Only since Dad found his new toxic partner. They’d tried so hard to like her, for his sake.
Sighing I said, “Mum you taught us well – at least they cleared the table.”
With thanks to Rochelle Wiseoff -Fields who hosts Friday fictioneers and also Fatima Fakier Deria who provided the photo prompt.
About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Having been there after my parents separation I can vouch for the tricky situation. Neatly done Irene.
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Thanks Iain.
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A very moving story, Irene. Coping up with a new mother occupying the chair beside their dad, left empty by their mother, is difficult as it is, I can only imagine how much more difficult it must be for Alan and his siblings.
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Yes I think it must be difficult for children to see their mother replaced, particularly with such a nasty lady.
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Families are so difficult, aren’t they? Especially when someone new comes in. Well told tale Irene
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Thanks Lyn.
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Such a difficult time in family life, and you captured that perfectly.
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Thanks Sandra.
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Dear Irene,
So much story in this one little snippet. Family dynamics are sometimes difficult, aren’t they? You’ve captured it here. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle.
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What a super story, Irene! You tell us such a lot about the family. You manage to combine the dramatic (Alan’s behaviour, and the mention of blood soaking into the sand) and the domestic (“at least they cleared the table.”) in a most satisfying way. I hope the daughter’s efforts eventually bear fruit, although I fear there’s little chance of that.
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Thank you Penny for your thoughtful answer. No I fear there is little hope for this family also.
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Great story. Things seem like they are going to get messy.
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Thanks Lisa. I think eventually there will be blood spilt.
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You caught family dynamics very well in your piece. The line about spilled blood truly lets the reader know how toxic the new wife is.
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Thank you Alicia. I’m glad you think I caught the dynamics and also that you got the wife was toxic.
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Rare are the times where the “new woman” or “new man” are accepted point blank. When my parents separated after 29 years I welcomed both new partners with open arms. They each made my parents happy so who was I to judge? Sadly, not all feel the same.
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I guess it depends a lot on the person coming in to the family and perhaps the length of time that has elapsed between the departure of one and the arrival of the new. Glad yours worked out well for you Dale.
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I should think so. You would think the ages of the kids would make a difference but,no, not necessarily…
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Oh dear, something bad’s going to happen methinks! Excellent Irene.
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Thanks Keith.
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A very real issue these days. Great take.
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Yes it is common now for many families. Thank you.
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Oh dear, I can feel the sparks fly here. What an ugly situation to be in. Such toxic addition to the family will break it up, very likely. But is she, or do the kids want to see her that way? Great writing, Irene.
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Thank you. Yes I think she is toxic although in these situations it is often the kids that can’t cope with a newcomer.
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Families at the best of times can be difficult to get along with, the broken ones are even trickier I’m sure. Great story. There’s just one point of confusion for me, is the narrator the daughter of the family, i.e. Alan’s sister? The ending seems to suggest so, but the rest of the story has references to ‘their father’ etc, which becomes third person.
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Thank you and also thanks for pointing out my error. You are right – the sister of Alan is the narrator. I have changed it to our father. I’m kicking myself that I hadn’t noticed such a glaring mistake.
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🙂
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Difficult one this and well told.
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Thanks James.
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Made me think of a client I working with. This is a true-to-life situation, and one wonders how a man could choose such a toxic second wife after having such a lovely first wife.
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I guess we all like to be loved and love is blind.
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You portrayed the complexities of family well, nicely written story! =)
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Thank you Brenda.
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Very nicely portrayed Irene!
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Thanks Dahlia.
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Ohhhhh, that was kinda sad Irene. “Toxic” that word stung, but “Mum you taught us well” made up for it.
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Thanks Dan. Yes sad tinged with good memories.
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You’ve illustrated the confusion and messiness of families so well. And yet we need each other so much. That’s life! Well written, Irene.
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You are right Fatima. We do need each other and it is life.
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Sometimes it’s a wonder that it works at all… but toxic never works.
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I agree – toxic is toxic
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It’s so hard to see someone we love in this type of relationship. You described the scene well.
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Thanks Dawn.
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Great last line! Well done.
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Thank you very much.
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This hit home for me as we have an older couple living with us. The man can’t see just how unstable and addicted his wife is. Leads to a lot of awkward silences at dinner!
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I would find that so difficult. I think I would be wanting to go out for dinner every night in that circumstance.
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Yes, but I’m the person who tends to “compulsively entertain” so everyone else is relying on me. lol. Exhausting.
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Thank you for posting! 🙂 https://caramelandchocolatehomeschool.wordpress.com/blog/
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You’re welcome.
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