He is angry. But he curbs it well, speaking calmly and slowly. Or at least, I think he’s angry. Maybe he isn’t. It could just be my projection. I know there’s a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.
“Why did you leave the seat down again?” he asks. “You did it to annoy me, right?”
Though I shake my head, I feel the dread of speaking, of contradicting him.
And he could be right. He says I don’t know myself well. That might be true. And what would I do without him to pay the bills?
.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Neil MacDonald Author 
Superb, Neil.
Brilliantly unstated violence.
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Thanks so much. I was so tempted to go with a quarantine story
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I think our hostess would have sent you to the naughty step.
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Hi Neil, the subtle menace reminds me of the film ‘Sleeping With the Enemy”, staring Julia Roberts.
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I wasn’t the first? Dammit!
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I like the use of a normal everyday, usually trivial, argument that exposes something much more menacing.
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Thanks so much, Iain.
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I raised three sons. Four men. One woman. Sigh. The seat was always left up.
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Perhaps a squat latrine is the answer to this eternal battle
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🤪🧻🚽
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i don’t know why I’m attracting ‘gaslighting’ energy today. Third piece on the subject… Well written, Neil!
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Thanks so much, Reena
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She is tolerating him for the bills. True story for many.
Reminds me of the song- “Money, Money, Money- It’s a plastic world.”
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And she’s not sure he isn’t right (though we know of course that he isn’t)
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Well, at least the TP is on the right way.
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That may not be sufficient to mollify him
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Ah, the toilet seat battle. He should just let it go. Especially if he wants more fun time. Shame she doesn’t leave but it isn’t always that easy.
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As the title suggests, he’s gaslighting her
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Oh, the menace in this is palpable!
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Thanks so much, Liz
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He would have found a fault if she left it up. I agree that menace is so palpable, nicely done.
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Thanks so much
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Impending violence, and she knows it. My question is, why WOULD she put the seat down when she knows it’s going to earn her a beating? After the first time, I seriously doubt i would forget.
And she needs to run away.
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Because there was picture of toilet paper?
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It was the lock on the roll that set you off? I knew charlie, finally Meg had enough and Charlie is a DOA
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I actually didn’t notice the lock
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Psychological torment can be more serious than physical abuse as it leaves no scars. A disturbing scene indeed.
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I agree with you, Keith
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You’ve nailed the essence of gaslighting here, Neil. It really messes with a person’s mind.
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Thanks so much, Jade
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You’re welcome.
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Her terror comes through, and her state of mind, cowed and helpless. Well written, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Dora
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i bet this is just one of his ways to keep her in line. i wonder how long it would take for her to reach the boiling point.
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He’s doing his best to stop her ever getting there
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Good stuff, I went down the same route kind of.
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Thanks so much. The wife in your story had more agency
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Chilling, one of the worst and insidious forms of abuse.
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I agree
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Saddle up and ride straight out of town, girl. You can pay your own bills. Very imaginative take, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Jilly
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Just whiz on the ring a few times and she’ll learn.
After all, I’m assuming she’s the one who has to clean the bathroom.
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I’m not sure that’s the industry-approved solution
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I think he’s driving them both crazy. Assuming they’re not there already.
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I think you’re right
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Her fear and self-doubt were masterfully woven into the story. Very sad to live with such a man.
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Thanks so much, Brenda
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I like the way you wove his menacing behavior towards her.
A great deal said in very few words, Neil. Superb write …
Be Safe 😷 … Isadora 😎
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Thanks so much, Isadora. He is a nasty piece of work
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It’s so sad that someone can be cruel to another.
Life isn’t always pretty. 🙂 😎
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Oh no. She needs to get out of there. He sounds absolutely horrid.
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People in that situation rarely do get out in time
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This was a very well written, Neil. The menace is very palpable. And it’s true, many women don’t leave in time.
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Thanks so much
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Simmering dischord, brilliantly conveyed Neil
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Thanks so much, Michael
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Immediately I thought that guy is angry about the seat being down, because he has gone to the toilet in the night and peed without looking to see if the toilet seat is up or down. But seriously, living with someone with such bad anger issues would be hell, and a particular kind of hell during lockdown, with less options for escape..
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The toilet seat is probably just an excuse
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The violence of this came across so clear,
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Thanks so much. Michael
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Mm, hope she figures this out and leaves him soon. As a survivor, this story is too triggering to think about for very long. Well written.
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Thanks so much, Anne
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