Every Friday authors worldwide gather round the virtual fireside of Rochelle Wisoff and share stories of 100 words, prompted by a common photograph, and exchange constructive criticism. Readers’ comments are also welcome. This week’s photo, Dining Room, has been provided by Jan Wayne Fields. Thanks, Jan, your photo inspired the following tale:
Fish’n Chips
His parents didn’t come to the wedding; their gift a garish orange dinner service – cheap fairground prize won long ago.
“Carnival glass is collectable these days,” Adi had said, generously, adding, “they’ll come round. Patience!”
It was his mother, really.
“That’s a beautiful necklace,” said Adi warmly, across the table.
“A family piece.”
Matt glanced at the bejewelled cross dangling from his mother’s throat.
“I’d hoped to hand it down to my daughter-in-law, … but I expect you have your own family jewellery.”
Adi’s face fell. “Sadly, no. The nazis … “ She rose, lifted the lids from two tureens set in the middle of the table.”
“Fish and chips. How … British.”
“Fish’n chips,” Adi said, smiling mischievously, “were introduced into Britain by Sephardi Jews.”
Ann Isik
124 words
Poetic Mapping: Walking Into Art 
Loved it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed this story very much! With a daughter in law like that, I’m sure the mother gows very fond of her in a short time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading, Renie.
LikeLike
Family tensions can focus on all sorts of things – but it seems there are always tensions. I don’t know a family without them. Nicely depicted here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Margaret. Amd I agree entirely wth your sentiments. 🙂
LikeLike
I love the tale.. how much you can capture in a dialogue.. and I think fish and chips is perfect for an occasion like this.. I have missed your stories 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are most kind Bjorn. Thank you.
LikeLike
I have to get my husband to do this. Is there a link to this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m a bit baffled. I can be very stupid. What is it you want to get your husband to do from my story? 🙂
LikeLike
I enjoyed the story, but noticed a mispelling. A second l in jewelry.
LikeLike
English English spelling. 🙂
LikeLike
Dear Ann,
First it’s nice to see you back. Second this could very well be one of my favorites this week. It’s subtle and, at the same time, takes direct aim and hits the bull’s eye.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your welcome back, Rochelle. I never knew till researching, that the food considered so British (fish and chips) is actually Kosher. And though over my word limit this week, in November I managed to write a suite of 4 stories, from scratch, to a deadline, of exactly 750,750,100 and 65 words each, in 24 hours. And that’s entirely down to the discipline and practice of writing with Friday Fictioneers each week. Happy 2015.
LikeLike
What a delightful mother-in-law, but I think Adi is a match for her. Adi’s warmth and tolerance come across very clearly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Adi (the name translates from the Hebrew into ‘jewel’ by the way) as a character is definitely not autobiographical – I might have put arsenic in the dinner! 🙂
LikeLike
I didn’t know that about Fish n’ Chips. 🙂 Jewelry is passed down to generations, but so is food, isn’t it? In family recipes and things that are priceless. Great story, Ann Welcome back!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Amy, for the welcome back. I didn’t know that about fish and chips either, till I did some research on Jewish food! Fascinating subject. I always expand my ‘knowledge base’ when writing these little stories. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
P S. ‘Adi’ translates as ‘Jewel’ by the way.
LikeLike
Oh, how very nice. I learn all kinds of new things, too. Like this one. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I looked up Jewish girls’ names and found ‘Adi’ almost at once and saw how its translation ‘Jewel’ was so apt. Strange how things dovetail …
LikeLike
Mother-in-laws and daughter-in-laws can provide some much stuff for our writing! So I am quite grateful for all the angst from families and friends, etc. You’ve caught the emotions and undercurrents wonderfully true!
Lily
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Lily! Ann
LikeLike
I like that Adi is sparring without animus, at least as you portrayed it. She has a far better chance of doing well that way and not alienating her husband, who hopefully will also stand up for. Echoing Sandra, nice to have you back. Hope all’s well and not too hectic.
janet
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the welcome back. And for your astuteness in respect of my story and characters. A house move is on the cards this year.
LikeLike
I think the daughter-in-law is going to give as good as she gets.
Claire
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hopefully, in the direction of bonding and mending, rather than upmanship. 😉
LikeLike
Isn’t it always (or a lot of the time) a struggle with the mother in-law? Go daughter-in-law! I enjoyed this immensely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Yes, it is usually a difficult relationship and it never has anything to do with what it is said to be is about – in this case, the excuse of differing religions.
LikeLike
Jeez – back. 😦
LikeLike
?
LikeLike
One-nil to the daughter-in-law. Nicely done. Haven’t seen you around here for a while Ann. Glad to have you bak.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Sandra, yes I’ve had to have a break, but am hoping to be welcomed back – I’ve missed you all! Happy New Year. Ann
LikeLike