Mother’s mediocrity was so consistently applied that it almost became a kind of excellence.
She wasn’t especially bad at anything. Nor was she particularly good.
In everything she did, Mother was merely adequate.
The many dinners she cooked for us excited no praise, yet were always eaten without complaint. When she gave gifts, they were accepted but rarely used by the recipient. Sweaters unworn, books unread. Her house was mildly comfortable, its smells neither offensive nor pleasant.
Even her conversation was mediocre. Mother was never interesting nor boring. She would deprive her friends of solitude, yet not provide them any company.
Poor thing. A sad and sadly funny character study.
Yet mother had a secret. I know it
Oh that last line. Brilliant. Well done, Josh.
Shalom,
Rochelle
I’d love to take credit for it, but I stole it from John D. MacDonald. He likely stole it from somebody too, but his work is where I saw it first.
As I just told another reader. Originality is the art of concealing your source. (that’s not original either. ;) )
It turns out that Oscar Wilde said it first. All of us are lying in the gutter, but some are gazing at the stars;-)
Isn’t that a state of being we all fear? I like the real world application!
Brilliant!
What a brilliant character study.
I feel surprisingly sorry for her, and also glad she’s not my mother….
Ouch!! What a portrait! Great job!
A great take on the prompt. You may have stolen your last line but you weaved it in brilliantly with the other 87. Well done.
She knew exactly how not to raise high expectations. She was comfortable. And smart :)
What perfectly bland woman!!!! Great character sketch.
I loved that last line. In fact, I loved it all. Well done.
A character unremarkable enough to be interesting. I like it.
To be perceived in that way by her children: how sad and cruel, but that’s often the case when kids judge their parents. I’m sure that her pov would tell a completely different story. :)
Awww … a tale of woe that could have a happy ending.
But, mother refuses to cooperate. Ha Ha … but the upper
hand will soon reign. Nicely done …
Isadora
What a sadly harsh description of his mother.
That is so sad. My own mother manages to paint pictures none of us want, but in other respects she’s unique.
Very creative take on the prompt. It reminds me of Bill Murray’s insult calling Chevy Chase a medium talent.
Such subtle humour, brilliantly done. I think I am almost like the mom.
Mother really needed to do something outrageous, just once.
There are so many people like this, who arouse neither love nor hatred.
Middle of the road, played it safe. I would love to hear Mother’s side of the story. Well done!
I love the description. You make the reader crave for more information about the character. Loved it.
This was great description of a character who’s almost characterless but by being so becomes a fantastic original character in her own right. If that makes sense. I know what I’m trying to say :-)
It must be so sad to be this woman that no one finds interesting.