Okay, so I’m really looking forward to Christmas…as long as the antlers stay out of sight and as long as my mate Tink’s mum hasn’t given her any other awful ideas…. But not everyone enjoys the festive season, I’m told. There are lots of folk who are alone… and they don’t all get a happy ending like Sally’s Jack.
And some folks might wish they were alone, or at least not in those unhappy places they find themselves. I don’t like it when she says ‘Ani!’ in that voice…. it makes me feel really sad, even though I know she’ll be cuddling me any minute. It doesn’t work that way for some…there is just that voice… and sometimes worse…
Wedgwood and Wine
Sarah Brentyn
“That’s not how it happened,” Terri barked.
“Maybe…” Tracy began.
“Who cares,” Kim interrupted, “I want to hear more about Tracy’s new ‘boyfriend’.”
“He had a…” Tracy said.
“No, no,” Mark gestured with his beer, “let’s hear more about this supposed thing I said about 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 concentrated on smoothing her velvet dress, which was quite free of wrinkles.
She swore the merlot wouldn’t flow this Christmas but found herself holding a crystal goblet like a life vest in the storm that was her family.
Slow sips, at first, then an empty wine glass. More merlot and wishes of civility or, at the very least, quiet.
It was a gift she wouldn’t get. Dinner was excruciating. Six courses served with cruelty and foie gras on floral Wedgwood china.
At this point, she didn’t care what liquid swished in her glass as long as it contained alcohol. She knew she had sunk to their level. It was the way of Decembers. “Oh, shut up already. You’re right. I don’t have a boyfriend. Happy? And I don’t have a job. Ooh! Better yet…I’m a writer!” She laughed at her own joke, took a swig, and held her arm out for a refill.
She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to swipe before she saw her boyfriend, Brad.
“Hello, love,” he kissed her cheek, “so sorry I’m late.” He took her glass, set it down, and laced his fingers through hers. “Introduce me to your lovely family?”
She did.
And they looked small.
He squeezed her hand and looked genuinely pained. “It was nice to meet all of you but I’m afraid we have been called in to an emergency meeting at work.”
In less than thirty seconds flat.
She couldn’t help thinking of her family as a set of bowling pins standing straight at soldiers, being knocked down with Brad’s bowling ball timing. Strike.
He turned to her. “Do you want to leave now or wait a bit?”
“Now is good.”
About the author
Sarah Brentyn is an introvert who believes anything can be made better with soy sauce and wasabi.
She loves words and has been writing stories since she was nine years old. She talks to trees and apologizes to inanimate objects when she bumps into them.
When she’s not writing, you can find her strolling through cemeteries or searching for fairies.
She hopes to build a vacation home in Narnia someday. In the meantime, she lives with her family and a rainbow-colored, wooden cat who is secretly a Guardian.
Find Sarah’s Books
On the Edge of a Raindrop Hinting at Shadows Author Page
Find and follow Sarah
When You’re on the Edge, It’s Easy to Fall
These are stories of lives on the edge.
A girl tortured by the world within her. A boy powerless to escape his home. A mother doomed to live with her greatest mistake. A man lost in a maze of grief.
Each raindrop provides a microscopic mirror of ourselves and those around us. But we can’t always trust what we see. The distorted images disorient the mind, altering our view of reality.
This second collection of flash and micro fiction explores the depths of the human condition and the fragile surface of our perceptions.
Dive into these tales of darkness and discover what life is like On the Edge of a Raindrop.
Each selection is approximately 100 words, with a bonus section of Microbursts in which each story is told in 50 words or less.
No One Escapes Life Unscathed
Delve into the deeper reaches of the human condition and the darkness that lives there.
A girl haunted by her sister’s drowning. A boy desperate for his father’s affection. A woman forced to make a devastating decision. A man trapped by his obsessions.
Experience tales of love, loss, murder, and madness through this collection of flash and micro fiction.
Take a peek behind the smile of a stranger. Get a glimpse inside the heart of a friend. Scratch the surface and discover what is hidden beneath.
These stories will open your mind, tug at your thoughts, and allow you to explore the possibility that, even in the brightest moments, something is Hinting at Shadows.
Each selection is approximately 100 words, with a bonus section of Microbursts in which each story is told in 50 words or less.
Antlers are for Reindeer!
If you would like to help save Ani from a fate (she says) worse than death, send your Letters to Santa, festive memories, short stories, flash fiction or poems to the Small Dog. She will post them every day through December until Christmas.
She would especially like to hear from her four-legged or feathered friends (she has a special place very close to her heart for turkeys)… but she says that two-legs are better than none, so she will accept submissions from humans too.
To get in touch, please use the form on the contact page or email Ani at findme@scvincent.com
A very satisfying story!
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And close to the experience of many, I suspect.
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I think this is probably close to quite a few Christmas dinners. Perhaps without Prince Charming at the end but…in the spirit of the season, let’s say there’s always a savior. ❤️
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Nicely put ❤
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I’m so glad you liked it, Mary. I felt the same. It’s a happy ending of sorts. Thanks!
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I imagine it was as satisfying to write and it was for many of us to read!
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Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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🙂
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Thanks for sharing! 🎄
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Ani!!!! Dont trink wine! 😉
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Never! 🙂
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Now that’s a Christmas wish come true. Great story, Sarah. Thanks Ani for sharing! No antlers today!
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Yeah, he’s like Prince Charming. With a bowling ball. (Or like Clue: Brad in the Dining Room with a Bowling Ball…I win!) Thanks, Diana! 🎄
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Wow. This is gorgeous! Thanks, Sue! And Thank you for sharing my lovely tale of a Christmas rescue. 😉 I love being part of Ani’s advent days. 🎄❤️💚
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We are so glad you came over, Sarah 🙂
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Oooo, I like this story. Bingo!
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Thanks, Jennie. Strike! 🎳🙂
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You are welcome!
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An interesting story, Sarah and Sue. I am sure Christmas is like this for some poor people.
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Unfortunately, I’m sure it is. But Tracy lucked out with her boyfriend’s impeccable timing.
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Dang, that’s a well done story, a strike. Ya set up the pins, ya knocked them all down.
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Ha! Thanks, D. 🎳 😀 I did love that part. Gave me a good laugh, that visual. Thanks for appreciating the dark humor here.
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Pingback: Wedgwood and Wine | Lemon Shark
Just very glad yo came over, Sarah 🙂
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How can I resist such a wonderful invitation from someone so sweet? (And Ani is sweet, too.) 😉❤️
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That raised a smile 😉
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Absolutely no place like home for the holidays (*shudder*).
Lucky that Brad is a bowling pro!
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Haha! He is good at bowling, huh? 🎳😊
I should have titled the piece “There’s No Place Like Home (For the Holidays)”. Love that, Liz. Thanks!
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My pleasure! 😉
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Lovely to read Sarah’s story here, Sue & Ani. So glad you had her stop by. And so glad to see Prince Charming save the day!! Very well done, Sarah! 🙂
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I think that is part of Prince Charming’s job description 😉 Always lovely to have Sarah over. xx
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I’m so glad I stopped by here, too. It’s such a lovely place to visit. (Especially with the recent bit of snow.) I must admit, this was kind of a fun one to write. Prince Charming took them down! (I think Sue is right. Job description is pretty clear.) Thanks, Marcia. 🎄❤️🙂
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Reblogged this on The Write Stuff and commented:
Another great share today, from Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo: Sarah Brentyn stops by with a short story probably more familiar to most of us than we’d like to admit. Enjoy!
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Thanks for sharing, Marcia 🙂
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My pleasure, Sue. I never get to do as much blog sharing as I’d like, but I’m trying to do better! Sarah’s name caught my eye, because she’s always up to something a bit off the wall and interesting. Like this. 🙂
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Yes, I agree…there is always a bit of a twist in her work.
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Thanks so much for sharing, Marcia. 🎄❤️🙂
Haha! “she’s always up to something a bit off the wall…” Aw, that is one of the best compliments. Happy to oblige.
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I love that ‘punch in the guts’ ending, Sara. Well done to Prince Charming! 🙂
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Aw, thanks, Judy. Three cheers for Prince Brad! 😉
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YAY! 🙂
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Ah. Rescued from that family holiday dinner. It should happen to a lot of us. Great story.
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I know, right? That would be something if we all had a holiday Prince or Princess Charming to rescue us from family dinners. Thanks, Van. 🎄🙂
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A blogger who really knows how to write. Excited to have found you! 🖌
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Aw, thank you. BTW, love your profile pic. Very nice.
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Thank you lovely .. it was my treat to myself! 💙
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It’s gorgeous. 💙 💜
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Thank you, Jaye x
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Thanks for sharing. 🎄🙂
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Another guest for Ani’s Advent Calendar post this morning with the lovely Sarah Brentyn bringing her Flash expertise to the subject of Christmas Dinner with a bullying family… signed, sealed and delivered brilliantly.. head over to Sue Vincent’s and enjoy.
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Thank you, Sally! 🙂
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Pingback: Ani’s Advent Invitation: Wedgwood and Wine by Sarah Brentyn – The Militant Negro™
Thank you 🙂
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Thanks, Ani, for the call-out (and so far so good). It’s just a bit scary that tonight she saw a sign about a Christmas Party at my Cheers Bar on the 22nd and she mentioned to someone that she needed to dig thru and find her Santa hat for the occasion. (She thinks she packed that dratted Elf Costume she got for me last year with her hat!) But at least she won’t be looking online!
Loved the story, Sarah. Prince Charming to the rescue — BUT are there really families like that? And NOBODY stops them? How mean! I would growl every time they opened their mouths if anybody tried to treat Mom like that – and bite them if they didn’t stop. They’d deserve it.
Woof! TINK
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Oh dear… you might want to wait till she has herback turned and savage the elf costume, you know… xxx
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Great idea, Ani. Right now I am trying to keep her distracted every time she starts to head for the storage bins in the basement.
Woof! TINK
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I would. Look pathetic, or maybe whimper a bit. That usually works 😉 xxx
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Ha! I’d bite them, too. And they would deserve it. (I like Sue’s idea about the elf costume…)
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Yay, Sarah! Maybe they’d stop if we all just growled.
Mom said she had a voice coach whose best friend used to hiss like a snake when she didn’t think what folks were doing was very nice. He said she was very effective.
Woof! TINK
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My son’s cat does that… it works.
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Hahaha! I can see the cat but I’m not sure what to say about the woman! 😂 That’s great.
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In true ‘Riddler’ style, lol. Unfortunately, that behavior happens on some family occasions. Glad Tracey had her savior in the ‘nick of time’. 🙂 ❤
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Yes, it does. Unfortunately. But Tracy is one of the lucky ones. 🙂 ❤
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Yes she is. 🙂 ❤
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What a great story, I could taste the merlot on my tongue, feel the velvet as I smoothed my dress down and feel the rush of pure love at being rescued! Thank you, Ani for sharing Sarah’s lovely tale!
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Always a pleasure to have Sarah over.
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She’s a beautiful writer…I’m a recent new follower of her sites and just beginning to get to know her writing!
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I agree, she is.
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That’s wonderful. 🙂 Thanks for reading and it was lovely being here with Ani and Sue.
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My pleasure!
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Now that’s a different twist on a Christmas story, and one I’m sure many of the tormented would greatly enjoy reading! Well done, Sarah 🙂 ❤
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I always have a different twist on things. Sometimes…it can go badly. Glad this one didn’t. Thanks, Tina! 🎄🙂 ❤
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Welcome, Sarah. It was refreshing 🙂 ❤
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I always love a good ‘in your face’ story. Good one, Sarah!
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Haha! Love those, too. A good ‘in your face’ story is highly underrated. 😉 Thanks, Teri.
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I’m missing Ani’s Advent calendar this year. I know no one will see this comment but I wanted to say it. 💗
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You’re probably not the only one… 😉
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Oh! Hello, Stuart. I’m so sorry. I just wanted to leave that there. I’m thinking of Sue and you and her family and just… I hope you’re doing okay. Sending love and light your way.
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