“That’s not how it happened,” Terri barked.
“Who cares,” Kim interrupted, “I want to hear more about Tracy’s new ‘boyfriend’.”
“No,” Mark gestured with his beer, “let’s hear more about this supposed thing I did to Tracy. I hurt her wittle feelings?”
Britney laughed. “It’s bullshit. Like her new job.”
“Tracy?” Her mother glared. “Don’t just stand there like an idiot.”
Tracy’s boyfriend squeezed her hand. “It was nice to meet all of you but we have a weekend meeting at work.” He turned to her. “Do you want to leave now or wait a bit?”
“Now is good.”
Flash Fiction Challenge over at Carrot Ranch
August 12 Prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a character who is called to have the back of another.
What circumstances led up to this moment? What are the character motives? Think about the interaction, the setting, the tone. What does it look like to have another’s back?
Lemon Shark Reef 
I like that boyfriend and am so glad I’m not part of that family.
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Yeah, he’s pretty great. Had to rewrite his part a few times (and I’m still not sure I got it quite right) but not the family members. They were written in one shot. Done.
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Seemed good to me 🙂
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This reminds me of the lyrics of a song: “except for the names and a few minor changes . . .”
It’s definitely a cringe-worthy situation. I’m so pleased Tracy has found someone who’s got her back. Pity her family were more inclined to support her. I think you have captured the scene superbly! Well done.
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Haha! Yes. “except for the names and a few minor changes…” Exactly. It’s a shame I could capture it so well, eh? Thanks!
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Yes, I guess it is. Commiserations! 🙂
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Glad to know I’m not the only “Tracy” out there! Very nice!
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I think everyone has been a Tracy or knows a Tracy. We’ve all been in this situation as a family member or friend or boyfriend… Unfortunately.
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That’s a flash that makes me want to jump up and shout, “yeah”! Great use of dialog to show multiple characters caught up in a dysfunctional family dynamic.
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I’m so glad you liked it. Thank you, Charli. I wanted to show exactly that — multiple characters all caught up in a conversation so that the reader could feel Tracy’s “surrounded and overwhelmed” without actually being overwhelmed or confused reading it. That was a challenge. Apparently, so was this comment.
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I liked the dialogue – so natural and real. Good for Tracy’s boyfriend to have her back. He’s a keeper. 😉
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Definitely a keeper. 🙂 I worked on the boyfriend’s dialogue too much but the family members… That was very easy and quick to write so I truly appreciate the comment about it. Thank you.
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As with all the comments here, I agree Sarah, so glad that Tracy has such a great boyfriend. I felt quite uncomfortable with the family dysfunction so excellently portrayed in so few words…but that was the point, so you wrote an excellent flash with real emotion and the sense of relief at the end is palpable. Love it! ❤
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Thanks so much, Sherri. (I’m glad it made you uncomfortable. My work here is done.) 😉
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Oh yes… 😀
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