(Author’s note: Such great responses from everyone for last week’s piece. I will respond this evening, I’m just dealing with a lot of crunk related to winter camp here. Hope to have more coming up after the camp is done. Otherwise, here’s a good one, being written while the moon is starting to eclipse…)
© Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Little Lies
by Miles H. Rost
“So, where did you get all that wood from?”
Christine looked at her husband, who just gazed down at his shiny boots.
“I went out and cut a couple at the edge of the…”
“Bull.”
Mike stared at her with that word, and started to fume.
“You didn’t cut down the trees, because there’d be sawdust on your boots.”
“I used the chainsaw.”
“It’d still be there. I told you to cut the trees down, and you went and bought wood.”
Mike sighed, as he gave her a note.
“It was given. There’s the proof that people know we’re poor.”
Music and Fiction 
She seems a tad cranky.
She gave him a job. He didn’t do it. That’s likely why she’s cranky.
Hmm… this is a song I’ve always associated with my ex. Fun times 😛 But I like your story regardless. It reminds me of my childhood, when my mother would take me and my siblings down to the local church for the canned-goods handouts they give to the very needy. And we were needy. Sorry, ramble. Good tale!
All of us have to ask for help at sometime. Some are too proud to ask. I guess the woman in the story may be that way.
Life can be so tough when you’re young, especially if you’re proud. Your story brings that sense of pride alive for your readers.
It’s something that I’ve had to deal with before, and is something I may have to face again with this move back to the US.
I saw a family in need. Hopefully one day they will themselves give a gift to someone in need. For to be allowed to give a ‘thoughtful and true’ gift is special. Your story reminded me about some of gifts that I have received. Thank you.
You’re welcome. It’s the same on my end.
Guess she didn’t sign up for this life when she married him.
Who knows what life she signed up for. 🙂
I’m glad he was able to redeem his self-respect and shut her down. Good story.
He did something she couldn’t do. And it was hard, but it worked out.
Yikes. She sounds a bit…er…unpleasant, unless he has some tendency to steal. But I don’t feel that the piece. It does feel sad.
It’s a tough piece. It shows a side of people that we rather not see at times.
I think the best fiction does that.
The guy seems resolute about maintaining his dignity, but the woman seems intent on destroying it.
I think it’s more he wants to accept the reality for what it is, and she doesn’t.
It is tough to be in need. Pride really takes a hit.
True true.