Kim wipes the sweat off her face. She’ll have to do it again in a second. The sun’s as relentless as her dad, but it’s the latter’s relentlessness that’s keeping her outside.
Kim’s mum arrives with a glass of homemade lemonade. Ice cubes tinkle. Sweetest sound Kim’s ever heard.
‘Dad said no drinks until I’ve finished with the balustrade.’
‘I know. You’ll end up dehydrated. Here.’
Kim gulps down the lemonade, then presses the glass to her temples.
‘I’m roasting,’ she whimpers.
‘Ideal varnishing conditions,’ her mum says. ‘Remember it for next time.’
‘Next time? Like I’ll throw another party.’
***
This is my entry for this week’s Friday Fictioneers. It’s based on the photo by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Go here if you want to read more stories inspired by the prompt.
Nicely written. Kim’s dad sounds really ‘relentless’! Mind you, the naughty girl shoud really remember to keep her party guests under control! Great last line. :).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, she should keep her guests under control. I rather suspect she’s learnt her lesson. Thank you, Millie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good story. I felt sorry for her until I read about the party.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent, Judith – that’s what I was trying to achieve with the story. Thank you!
LikeLike
Aah the days of parties and not getting caught. Whew that was long ago. I was lucky enough not to have any problems. That doesn’t happen often. Nice picture too. Enjoy your stories
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers, Donna! I never got caught either – lucky us 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Smart mum. Good way to look after her daughter’s health AND make sure Kim felt chastised while doing it. Why are mother’s sooo good at that?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your comment, Anne! I’m glad the mother’s sneakiness comes across 🙂
LikeLike
Like Judith, I felt sorry for her too (in fact I felt the heat and then the cool drink of lemonade), then read about the party. LOL! Typical teen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s great that you felt sorry for her at first. That’s what I wanted… Thank you, PJ!
LikeLike
Good one. I thought it was going to be paternal cruelty but it turns out to be teenage waywardness. Nice turnaround, well managed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sandra! I reckon he’s a bit cruel, but she’s certainly not innocent.
LikeLike
Love it! I raised three kids and can SO relate!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dawn, thanks for reading! Mine is only 4, so I’ve got that to look forward to…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Sonya,
Great twist on this one. I was ready to call the authorities on Dad until the end.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Rochelle! I’m so glad the twist works 🙂
LikeLike
Dear Sonya,
I was raised on a farm. The first time my Dad noticed I had a hangover, he made me replace a couple of wooden fence post. This was done by making a hole with a steel bar and pounding the post in with a 16 lb. hammer. With every lick of the hammer it felt as if the top of my head would come off. He never said a word about my drinking, but I knew there were always more posts that needed replacing.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Russell, thank you for taking the time to reply! I reckon your dad’s hangover treatment would make a good story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it would. And I remember it well 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the twist at the end. You had me fuming about the dad, and then I got the full picture. Very nicely done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Margaret! That’s just the reaction I wanted 🙂
LikeLike