This is my 100-word story for Friday Fictioneers, based the prompt below – a photo by ©Douglas M MacIlroy. To read other contributions or to find out how to get involved, click here
Friday Fictioneers prompt for 18/04/2014 ©Douglas M MacIlroy
Oh, Ellie ….
“Oh Ellie,” said Mum. “Gran will be here any minute. Did you have to make such a mess after all my tidying?”
Her brother lifted a cushion and put it back in place.
“I told her, Mum,” he said. “But she was all giddy and wouldn’t listen.”
“That’s a LIE” said Ellie. “Mum, it was Ben. He threw the cushions on me.”
“She probably didn’t think about the mess, Mum,” Ben said soothingly.
“Ellie, tidy up. I don’t have time for this,” said Mum.
Ellie’s elbow hurt from where her big brother had shoved her onto the floor. But her heart hurt more.
©Siobhán McNamara
siobhanmcnamara 
Ah, I know that pain of injustice with siblings. It’s not fair sometimes. 🙂 I like the ending line. Slightly humorous, but touching as well.
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Thanks David 🙂
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Dear Siobhán,
It’s amazing how cruel children can be to each other. Sometimes those scars stay to old age. Bittersweet story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle
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This is so true to life. I’ve been Ellie in the past, though I’ve probably also been Ben. Great take on the prompt.
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Thanks Etienne 🙂
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Aww ! I loved those fights – they might have hurt on body or heart sometimes.. but they are always much more fun !
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Thanks, Horus – the joys of family life 🙂
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Superb.
AnElephant loves this, despite the pain.
Very true to life.
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Thanks AnElephantCant
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I remember those days. My brother and I had some pretty epic battles. Good story!
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Thanks Adam 🙂
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I was the only child at home but my kids had some battles. My son usually came out worse. He didn’t want to hurt his sister because she was younger, but she fought like a tiger. Of course, she stuck up for him if someone else bullied him. Well written and realistic.
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Thank you, it’s true no matter how much we fought at home, we stick together against the rest of the world 🙂
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I’m sure I remember that exact scenario from my own childhood, Siobhan. Takes me right back.
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Thanks Karen 🙂
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Lovely, little sisters always get the short end of the stick when brothers are involved.
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🙂 Thank you
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It evokes well the real emotions involved in a family fight between kids
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Thanks Larry 🙂
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Siobhan, what a perfect combination of love and hurt! Very real.
janet
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Thank you 🙂
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Awww…he’s a bully. I hope he softens as they age.
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I suspect he will 😉
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Yes, we all do. I tormented my little sister too. Come to think of it, sometimes I still do. lol
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After the past few days I felt I was right in there, pacifying, arbitrating, separating. Nice work!
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I know the feeling Sandra 🙂
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Clever pic prompt writing #AtoZchallenge ☮Peace ☮ ღ ONE ℒℴνℯ ღ ☼ Light ☼ visiting from http://4covert2overt.blogspot.com/
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Thanks for stopping by 🙂
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Never easy to work out the real culprit when you’re the mother.
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That’s true Claire, it’s not easy to get it right 🙂
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Poor Ellie. Brothers can be so rough on their sisters sometimes. I love your take on the prompt.
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Thanks Gina 🙂
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Well – done and so typical of childhood. Not my children though!
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Ah yes, our own children are all perfect 😉
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Very true to life and real.
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Thank you 🙂
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Aww poor Ellie! I can understand her feelings being the youngest of 3 siblings myself. Nicely written.
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Thank you Zainab 🙂
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Poor Ellie! Siblings are supposed to present a united front!
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There’s always one who gets a bad deal 😉
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it’s a familiar story in every household. felt sorry for the little sister who got the bad rap.
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Thanks plaridel 🙂
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My kids always tried to create a victim/perpetrator scenario. I used to tell them I didn’t wear stripes. Then they’d get sent to their rooms with “Beat each other up until you’re both dead!” That always had them playing happily in about 5 seconds. 🙂
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Sounds like a good plan 🙂
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Such a simple, but realistic glimpse into a sibling interaction. The dialogue and action create a perfect triangulation. Ellie didn’t stand a chance!
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She lost to her more experienced brother, poor thing 😉
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Aint that often the way! 😉 (of course, I’m the eldest… so, well… hmm, right.)
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A very sweet, and true, story. I know what it feels like to be hurt by older siblings…I’m the youngest of 9.
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Thank you 🙂
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I thought it nice of Ben to give his sister all the credit for making such a mess. He’ll grow up to be fine husband some day 🙂
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😉
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Aw bless her heart! Your story made me want to give poor Ellie a hug and let her know that things would work out. It’s a sign of great storytelling when you can get your reader so involved that she feels outraged at the injustice, and very empathetic for the main character. 🙂
God bless you,
Cheryl
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Thank you Cheryl 🙂
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My brother was my hero. I would do anything for him He broke my heart many times. You don’t forget. Excellent story. Lucy
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Thanks Lucy 🙂
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The lies of children are sometimes hardest to overcome. Enjoyed your story 🙂
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Thank you 🙂
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Siobhán, Siblings can be cruel. A betrayal we learn exists where we would hope it did not. This was excellently written. Dana
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Thank you Dana 🙂
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Poor Ellie. I’ve been in similar situations, and I know that few things are more frustrating than when your parents don’t believe you. I hope she and Ben can smooth things over. Grudges amongst siblings can grow uglier as they grow older. This is a great story that quickly draws out all sorts of emotions.
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Thank you 🙂
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Big Brothers can literally be a pain. Good story! I enjoyed it! Nan 🙂
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Thank you Nan 🙂
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Oh,poor Ellie!Sibling fights are so difficult to sort and boys being stronger usually get away with more.Loved the end:-)
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Thank you, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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🙂
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Nicely written story
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Thank you 🙂
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Lots of ouches here. It’ll be different in ten year’s time. Until then …
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It sure will … but plenty more ouches in the meantime 🙂
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