Learn when to walk away

#37

Her thin, disapproving mouth had been highlighted with an unforgiving shade of bright pink. The long grey hair had been brushed and lay in lanky strands down the inevitable black jumper. She hadn’t spoken to his family all morning. No ‘good morning’, ‘how did you sleep?’ Nothing. They were wondering which face would appear this morning.

Twenty minutes before the designated departure time for ‘a fun day out’ she stomped into the lounge and glared down at his family who were sitting on the couch finishing their morning tea. They smiled at her. “Are you ready?” she snarled — the first words of the day. His family looked at each other, stunned. “We will be, but we are only leaving in 20 minutes” they answered. Not used to being back-chatted she fixed them with a beady stare and staccatoed “Yes. But. Are. You. Ready.”

His niece left the room, trying not to flounce or slam the door on her departure. She had to prevent herself pointing out that it was customary to greet people first thing in the morning and that she was not 7 years old. She would only lose that battle as he always sided with her. Sometimes walking away was the only answer.