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The brothers – grim

It wasnโ€™t so much that they were bad kids, far from it (they were generally polite and particularly well groomed) but their table-manners were completely atrocious. 

When they did manage to sit together for dinner (and this was a rare occurrence in itself) there would be constant squabbling, complaints about the menu, the consistency, the portion sizes, the wrong sort of ketchup. 

Every mealtime was exactly the same. 

There would be name-calling, kicking, flicking and biting (though never, it is worth pointing out, of the lovingly prepared food). 

At 23 and 31 you would think theyโ€™d know better.


This flash fiction/short story, call it what you will, was written for Friday Fictioneers.

Thanks toย Ted Strutzย for the photographic inspiration, and toย Rochelleย as ever for hosting. Clickย here to read this weekโ€™s stories.

Responses to “The brothers – grim”

  1. Tannille

    Get last line. I’m still chuckling!

    1. MrBinks

      Thanks!

  2. neilmacdon

    I put it down to them still living with their parents

  3. Iain Kelly

    I thought you had been describing dinner time at my house there – don’t tell me there’s another twenty years of this to go!!

  4. Sandra

    I enjoyed both reading and listening. Particularly the listening. Well done.

    1. MrBinks

      Thanks Sandra, I’m hoping to get my recording mic back out at some point to make these sound a little nicer. But as with everything at the moment, I’m making do! Thanks for reading/listening.

  5. rochellewisoff

    Dear Peter,

    My own sons came to mind all through this. The last line made me laugh out loud. I loved listening to it.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

  6. Jevgenija Zukova

    Hah, this was great. I imagined my brother while reading this. Thank you for this piece!

    1. MrBinks

      Thanks for the kind words!

  7. Mike

    It seems that some kids never learn. I enjoyed reading this then listening to the recording. Lovely

  8. Keith’s Ramblings

    Some kids never grow up – and don’t I know it!

    Here’s mine!

  9. wmqcolby

    Funny, Binks. Made me laugh out loud.
    Also, good to see you, too! I’m sure the coffee is great today. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    1. MrBinks

      Always good to make somebody laugh! Thanks for reading.

  10. spicedmullings

    Guess they never get up!

  11. theministryofshrawleywalks

    So it doesn’t get any easier then!? Good stuff, reminds me of my 16 and 11 year olds.

  12. Dale

    You’ve got a wonderful voice, Peter.
    And oh hell no! That last line was a killer!

    1. MrBinks

      What a kind thing to say. Thanks for listening/reading.

      1. Dale

        I speak in truths, kind sir! I enjoyed both immensely.

  13. pennygadd51

    You got me with that last line! And I liked your use of brackets for “(they were generally polite and particularly well groomed)” – it gives the sensation of a different voice, or a different angle on the scene.

    1. MrBinks

      Glad you liked it. Thanks for reading.

  14. larry trasciatti

    ha ha .All that otherwise well behaved side of them should have worn off by now onto their table manners

  15. msjadeli

    Well, they are either immature — or chimpanzees.

    1. MrBinks

      Probably a bit of both!

      1. msjadeli

        ๐Ÿ™‚

  16. justjoyfulness

    Poor parent! I feel sorry for him / her. Maybe it’s time to stop cooking for them ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. MrBinks

      Very true!

  17. granonine

    Hilarious! Someone needs some corner time ๐Ÿ™‚

  18. tedstrutz

    love the last line… I know people like that…

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