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The brothers – grim

It wasn’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 they’d know better.

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

Thanks to Ted Strutz for the photographic inspiration, and to Rochelle as ever for hosting. Click here to read this week’s stories.

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28 responses to “The brothers – grim”

  1. Tannille

    Get last line. I’m still chuckling!

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Thanks!

      Reply
  2. neilmacdon

    I put it down to them still living with their parents

    Reply
  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!!

    Reply
  4. Sandra

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

    Reply
    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.

      Reply
  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

    Reply
  6. Jevgenija Zukova

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

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Thanks for the kind words!

      Reply
  7. Mike

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

    Reply
  8. Keith’s Ramblings

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

    Here’s mine!

    Reply
  9. wmqcolby

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

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Always good to make somebody laugh! Thanks for reading.

      Reply
  10. spicedmullings

    Guess they never get up!

    Reply
  11. theministryofshrawleywalks

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

    Reply
  12. Dale

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

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

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

      Reply
      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.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Glad you liked it. Thanks for reading.

      Reply
  14. larry trasciatti

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

    Reply
  15. msjadeli

    Well, they are either immature — or chimpanzees.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Probably a bit of both!

      Reply
      1. msjadeli

        🙂

  16. justjoyfulness

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

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Very true!

      Reply
  17. granonine

    Hilarious! Someone needs some corner time 🙂

    Reply
  18. tedstrutz

    love the last line… I know people like that…

    Reply

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