And the words:
“Miss Wonderly murmured, “Thank you,” softly as before and sat down on the edge of the chair’s wooden seat.” – The Maltese Falcon – Dashiell Hammett.
Her mother had been one of those forthright people who had dominated every conversation with her authority. She always gave her opinion, whether asked for or not and seemed to take pleasure in causing upset and distress to everyone. “Don’t you think, dear, you don’t have the figure for satin?” she would say and revel as she reduced her victim to a self-conscious wreck.
She would bully anyone who was unfortunate enough to cross paths with her, even her doctors in the hospital were terrified of her, right up until her final illness. She fought them until her last breath.
She’d also planned her funeral to the last detail, which hymns were to be played, what people were allowed to wear, no bright colours, she’d stipulated Black only. She was not one of those modern ladies who specified “No flowers, donations to charity only”, she wanted Carnations and roses, no chrysanthemums, she’d detested those.
“It was karma really”, Miss Wonderly said to herself as she looked around the spacious and empty hall.
The Vicar cleared his throat and gently asked: “Would you like me to hold on a moment longer?”
She was a gentle lady who’d looked after her mother tirelessly and with patience for years, but who knew the truth.
“No, thank you, vicar. You may as well start the service. No one else is coming.” She replied very softly.
Miss Wonderly murmured, “Thank you,” softly as before and sat down on the edge of the chair’s wooden seat.
[250 Words]
This story was written for the 50 Word Thursday Challenge. Click on the link below if you like to take part in the challenge.
https://talesfromthemindofkristian.wordpress.com/2019/08/08/50-word-thursday-32/
All the responses will be posted in my results post on Wednesday and then a new 50 Word Thursday challenge will begin.
I have also included the following word prompts:
https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2019/08/13/lady/
https://onedailyprompt.wordpress.com/2019/08/13/your-daily-word-prompt-karma-august-13-2019/
https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2019/08/13/rdp-tuesday-spacious-2/
FOWC with Fandango — Authority
Great story! Karma indeed.
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Thank you. Writing it made me vow to be nicer to people to avoid the same fate 😉
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Thinking far ahead! 😛
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Great storyline… At fist I thought you were writing about my sister. LOL! 🤣
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Haha, It could have been a good many people, I come from a family of opinionated, strong minded people. It makes me keep my opinions to myself and only give them upon request (unless they are nice ones). 🙂
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I hear that. Same thing with my father’s side of the family. 😉 I tend to lie low until someone punches my buttons, and then its, “Look out!” 😜
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Haha, Yes that’s me too 🙂
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I do love when karma has the last laugh. Great story Kristian!
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Thank you. 🙂 It’s very true in life that you get back a reflection of what you give out, so I always try to smile, even if I don’t really feel like it. 🙂
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Yours didn’t feel as sad as mine. 🙂
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No, it was almost a goodriddance! 😉
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Yes; it was!
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What a sad and poignant tale, Kristian. What will Miss Wonderly do now?
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She will probably start to enjoy life more, but probably feel a bit guilty about it. I could write the adventures of Miss Wonderly 😉
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Yes, you could! I’m sure you would do her justice also.
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The tales of Miss Wonderly 😉
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Sad…but we reap what we sow.
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It appears you get what you deserve. Karma at its finest.
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Thank you. Yes that’s often the case, sadly not always though 🙂
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Oh, I believe it does catch up with you. Sometimes it just takes a long time.
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