When her children were young she had taken scores Instamatic snapshots. In these photographs, they seemed to have been frozen by the flesh-bleaching flashbulb, stunned faces and red glowing eyes making them look like newly spawned demons.
She’d kept these photos in a box in her closet.
One day she carried the box to the garbage and that was that.
She hadn’t spoken to any of them for years.
One Christmas her son David sent her a brand-new Olympus digital camera.
It was gift-wrapped. There was no card.
She still wonders why David thought she would ever need a camera.
I do think it’s very annoying when family and friends change. It’s all right for them, but do they ever think about the work I have to do revising their database entries?
That’s a pungent little squib, Josh. Mother and son sound just as bad as each other in their lack of family feeling.
That opening paragraph is down right creepy! in a very good way. Very much sets the scene for a dysfunctional family.
Thanks! That is what I was going for.
Dear Josh,
This touched me in a way I can’t say. Perhaps the camera’s an olive branch. (Ever the hopeful mother here). Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Glad you liked it
Glad you liked it. I was thinking about a short story I wrote to this effect.
This reminds me of a woman I once traveled with. After years of hearing nothing but complaints over the gifts she sent her kids and grandkids she decided to cut them off. If they wanted anything from her, they had to talk to her the rest of the year, too.
Start taking pictures. Start loving life again. Form new bonds.
Yeah, I doubt she’s capable at this point. Good advice, though!
I can’t make my mind up who is the villain of the piece here. Interesting.
This is a very sad tale. I’m not sure who’s at fault, but life is too short. Like Rochelle, I’m hoping the camera is a peace-offering, but it doesn’t sound like she’ll act on it.
One wonders what drove her to throw out the photos – shame . And then the son … Oh my doesn’t look like it’ll end well …
gramswisewords.blogspot.com
Yeah, I was thinking this was just bitterness being its own end.
She should start a blog, photos and all, she could even have a go at the Friday Fictioneers!!
I doubt she has a computer! ;-)
Let’s club together and get her one!!
That’s an interesting take. I hope she makes good use of the new camera.
There’s love here I think but neither know exactly how to show it. Great read.
Many, many families like this one you’ve written about, Carroll.
Sometimes, there are no repairs. Sometimes, it’s best to let things be.
Great write … loved it.
Isadora
A sad story. Makes me wonder what went wrong and how the family dynamics will go from here.
This is great, I laughed about the description of the old pictures, I guess we all have some of these. I saw the new camera as an olive branch from her son, maybe an invitation to take great, non-demon-spawn pictures of her grandkids?
Love that opening, those little demons of hers captured. And that back and forth of bitterness between son and mother – there’s a deal of history to unpack there. Great story Josh
I think he is ready to create some new memories.. Sorry she’s already written him off…
“After not speaking to any of them for years, her son David. . . .” Who didn’t speak to any of them? I think you mean the mother, but it could be David. How about “After not speaking to any of them for years, she received a gift. . . .”
True. It’s unclear. Good catch
I love the flesh-bleaching flashbulb amongst other phrases here. Great take