Charli’s prompt this week is
June 29, 2017 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about something frayed. It could be fabric, like a flag or garment. It could also be nerves or temper. What is it to be frayed?
Mary is meeting up with two girlfriends and the conversation takes a surprising turn
Dodging the Question
‘For pity’s sake, when will anyone ask?’
Mary glanced at Susan, who said, ‘Ask?’ The three women had known each other since antenatal classes.
Naomi waved a hand. ‘About… Sorry, you’re both lovely, but…’
Mary said, ‘We didn’t, you know, think you’d want reminding.’
Naomi glared. ‘Reminding? My husband’s dead at 44; I’m reminded every time I wake up.’ She shook her head. ‘I’m sorry; everyone’s really nice, sympathetic but you assume I want to move on, not talk about it. And I do but you two,’ she waved again. ‘I need more, if I’m not to come apart.
And here’s a link to more stories involving Mary
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About TanGental
My name is Geoff Le Pard. Once I was a lawyer; now I am a writer. I've published several books: a four book series following Harry Spittle as he grows from hapless student to hapless partner in a London law firm; four others in different genres; a book of poetry; four anthologies of short fiction; and a memoir of my mother. I have several more in the pipeline.
I have been blogging regularly since 2014, on topic as diverse as: poetry based on famous poems; memories from my life; my garden; my dog; a whole variety of short fiction; my attempts at baking and food; travel and the consequent disasters; theatre, film and book reviews; and the occasional thought piece. Mostly it is whatever takes my fancy.
I avoid politics, mostly, and religion, always. I don't mean to upset anyone but if I do, well, sorry and I suggest you go elsewhere.
These are my thoughts and no one else is to blame. If you want to nab anything I post, please acknowledge where it came from.
TanGental 
It’s such a thing isn’t it, skirting away from the subject of loss and grief – beautifully captured here Geoff.
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Its a problem isnt it how you address the ongoing rhythms of grief
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Sometimes it can be hrder to cope when well-intended friends avoid mentioning the frayed edges.
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I see it with men mostly but one female friend spoke tellingly about this with the vet and a friend of hers
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Pingback: Frayed at the Edges « Carrot Ranch Communications
A great capture of how we skirt around loss and death.
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It’s understandable but frustrating for the bereaved i think
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I’m sure Naomi is feeling very frayed. I hope her good friends can help her untangle the mix of emotions and help her heal – accept and rebuild. It must be difficult though, and at such a young age. As Naomi (you) says, there’s no forgetting and reminders aren’t required.
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I think that was one of the telling things i heard recently. Brought it right home
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A sad situation.
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Ah. This is tough. Some (most?) of us have been on both sides of this and it’s really difficult. It depends on the person and the situation. But you have to be very aware. Either way, great take on ‘frayed’.
Side note: I’d never heard them called ‘antenatal classes’. Always learning something over here.
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Really? I’d have imagined that was a universal term. As you say always faacinating. What were yours called
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Geez. I’ll try to make this short. See, if you sneeze and need a tissue, often people will say they need a Kleenex. Which is a brand of tissue and may or may not be the brand of tissue they actually have. So it is with pregnancy classes. The care of the baby is called ‘prenatal’ and the classes are called ‘Lamaze’ even though, I believe, those were intended to be natural birthing alternatives. That is not the case. They educate and so on and don’t use these techniques but are still called Lamaze classes. How the hell can I write flash and my comments are like a novelette?
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Hopeless Sarah. I’d retire if i were you and let the rest of us via for best flash writer…
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😀
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