Danny James

Why Can’t We Talk About This

This post is submitted to Friday Fictioneers.

The rules are simple. Write a COMPLETE STORY in 100 words or less with a beginning, middle and end.

anonymous-kitchen-photo
PHOTO PROMPT @ A. Noni Mouse

“I beginning to hate these people,” said Helen. “I just about lost my temper at dinner. Are we so afraid of Erick that we can’t talk about current events without the fear of offending him? How long can we talk about ocean cruises?  Neighborhood gossip? I would like to talk about the necessity of wearing masks. Vote by mail? Racial equality? Black Lives Matter? The feeling that this nation is being divided by the very one who should be uniting us? Let’s not have another Civil War!”

“So that’s why you spent the final thirty minutes doing dishes?” said Tom.

 

32 comments

  1. An intriguing article. Many folks these days are facing this same free speech dilemma at the supper table. Talking about COVID 19, wearing masks, social distancing raises a red flag immediately. Praising Trump is a sure winner for the offer of another slice of mom’s apple pie. What a farce and what a divisive world we live in. Sometimes I am tempted to bring plastic knives and forks and paper plates to a family dinner and place them by the sink in case the topics of conversation happen to raise the hackles of the guests. Jeez!

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  8. It is tricky thing, especially with family members. I remember being taught ‘if you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all.’ But, there are times to speak up even if doing so causes disagreement. I struggle with this and have done my share of before dinner is over dish washing! I loved the way you created the story in dialogue form. So much said and unsaid.

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  11. We are stuck between a rock and a hard place. The silence, where nothing is said, is the rock. Screaming or violence is the hard place. I wish there was a productive middle, but….

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