James Joyce Style Short Story

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James Joyce Style Short Story

They ate their dinner in silence that night. The usual somber talk that accompanied the food was gone. Her mother was happy about that. It was one less thing she would have to pretend to be happy about. With her good hand, she stirred her tea slowly with a long spoon. Her mother thought about the musky smell that she had always disliked. It was hard for her to be happy now, even with the newly fresh air surrounding them, because too many thoughts still swirled around her.

        As the 15 year old girl stood up to clear the table, she removed a bottle which had been standing in its center for the past two days. She quickly threw it into the trash with vigor. Then she proceeded to walk to the kitchen with the dirty dishes, on her way passing an old family portrait with the four.

        Her mother appeared to still love her, but she knew that it was only going to be a few more days before she snapped. Sometimes she would be gentle and motherly toward her, but most of the time she was thrown aside to other priorities. Two school photographs were in the desk drawer, while the pens and papers and tools of her mother’s business sat atop the desk in prime position. It had been twenty minutes when the young girl realized she was daydreaming, and snapped back to reality. The dirty dishwater was cold on her two hands, which looked prematurely wrinkled. She took one of the clean, department store-bought towels, and dried her hands off.

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        She tried to imagine what school was going to be like the next day. Things were going to be different, and a part of her was missing. Anticipating these generic comments of sorrow was the worst part of it. That, and deciding how she would answer. As she went back to the living room, she sat in the comfortable chair that looked outside into the already darkened street. Cars continuously passed, a large black one screeched outside before moving on, and she couldn’t help thinking back. Her mother abruptly turned, apparently startled out of her trance by the noise. They ...

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