Assignment #12 Writing 101
Today’s Prompt for Writing 101: Write a post inspired by a real-world conversation.
Today’s twist: include an element of foreshadowing in the beginning of your post.
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The good news is, she lives 6 hours away from me right now. The bad news is, she is moving back to my area in three weeks. I am referring to my sister. She is like a walking, living, breathing human tornado that destroys, or tries to destroy everything and everyone in her path. (I wish I were joking).
I answered the telephone this morning and the voice on the other line automatically put me on high “red-alert.”
My sister, Chauna is on the other line and she immediately informs me, “These people here are trying to declare me incompetent and take all my money away from me. They are all trying to steal from me.” (These people = her daughter, son-in-law, brother, mother).
Because I don’t believe one word of it, I say, “No, I don’t believe that. They have no reason to steal from you. Why do they need to steal from you Chauna? They have plenty of their own money.”
“Well,” she says, “I can’t explain it but they are and I’m getting the hell out of here.” (Big City). She starts whining, “They tried to steal my RV from me and now I can’t get it out of the consignment place until May 8.”
I remind her, “They put it in the consignment place because you told Rex to handle it for you because you wanted to sell it. He is just trying to sell it for you!”
Now she begins barking, “Well he didn’t ask me if he could put it in the consignment shop and now I can’t get it out until May 8. He should have asked me if he could do that. I would have told him I would only put it in the consignment shop if I could get it out anytime I wanted to.”
By this time I am getting very frustrated, “How was he suppose to know you wanted to be able to get it out anytime you want to. You don’t even have a truck to pull it with.”
Then she immediately states, “Well I might have wanted to get it out and he didn’t ask me if he could put it in there and I’m madder than hell at him.”
I ask her, “So this is all about control not really about the RV?”
“Well, maybe.” She stated, then adds, “I should have had control of that RV not Rex!”
(This horrible conversation continues for 15 more minutes then turns to something else).
After listening to her barking for 20 minutes I am really getting exasperated. She begins to tell me, “He (her daughter’s husband) has declared my daughter incompetent and has taken over all of her money.”
I am stunned, “What? Why would he do that? That doesn’t make sense!”
She further tells me, “She says that Rex will not allow her to see me anymore unless I hand over the control of all my money to him.”
I am shocked. “What?! (I highly doubt this is true). Why would he want to take control of your money? I just have a hard time believing that.”
“Well he did!” She states matter-of-factly, ” I can’t stand him. He’s a snake and I can’t stand him.”
I am really wanting this conversation to end, “So this all about the fact that you dislike Rex so much you are willing to give up your own daughter?”
“Yes, I am.” She informs me, ” I am not having him control me or take control of my money.”
I inform her, for the thousandth time, “Chauna, you have GOT to go to the doctor and get on some medicine.”
“No I don’t.” She barks, “I don’t need medicine! I need to get the hell out of here!”
“Yes, Chauna, you do.” I further remind her (once again), “You have a chemical imbalance and you need medicine to control it.”
She starts her barking again, “Everybody thinks the world’s problems can be solved with a f—ing pill!”
(OMG, Help ME! And she’s going to be here in 3 weeks)
* Names have been changed. I am not exaggerating this conversation. If anything, I have tamed it down and removed all but one of the curse words.
BEAUTIFUL WORDS 
That is a chronically excruciating situation.
Exactly! (sigh) 😦
I know. I’m sorry
PJ, this conversation was so realistic, it made me nervous. I could feel “your” exasperation as you slowly lost patience. Very well-written! Hope it’s not based on a true story, although, my hubbie’s sister is capable of having a conversation like this at a very high volume!!
Thank you so much Terri! I really value and appreciate your opinion. Unfortunately, this conversation was real and it happened the day before yesterday.
You are welcome. Well, no wonder I could feel your pain. I suppose that’s where writers get their ideas–from real life!
Thank you. Talking to her is like listening to fingernails scratching a chalkboard with the volume on high. lol
Egads, LOL!
So sorry for you hope it goes better or you can find a way to deal with her
Thank you Donna, I appreciate your empathy. If she doesn’t get on medicine that will help her, I may not be able to deal with her at all. Sadly, her youngest daughter committed suicide 18 months ago. She only has one daughter left and this situation stems from her daughter’s husband helping her to sell her RV.
Is this something counselling will help or just meds? I have lived with someone who had manic depression or bipolar I guess is the term now so it is hard without meds.
I think she may have the onset of dementia. But yes, she also has chemical imbalance and probably needs some type of antidepressant. I would never be able to get her to go into counseling. I cannot even get her to go to the doctor to get on meds.
onset dementia is a hard one for all it would be so helpful to her if she would see a good (Good) dr.
That’s what we all think but she doesn’t just have stubborn pride she has stubborn pride that is set in concrete.
Wow, that is a really intense conversation. I don’t know if I could have handled it as well as you (i.e. not snapping back as much as said sister snapped in conversation with you). I guess I wish you all the luck for when she arrives? Stay strong!
Thank you for reading and commenting. I know her personality and she has always been curt and “snappy.” I appreciate your empathy. Thank you.
There’s a great book called Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by Henry Cloud and John Townsend. I highly recommend it. There’s a point at which you must decide whether it is emotionally healthy for you to have constant contact, limited contact, or no contact with you sister. I understand, as my brother is bipolar.
Thank you so much for this information! I will look for that book. I understand that if she doesn’t get on medication, I won’t be able to be around her at all. Our personalities are the polar opposites.
I might have something I can email you on boundaries – a therapist once gave it to me. Do you do the Flash Fiction site?
I am on several flash fiction sites, which one are you referring to?
There was one that had your email address – FFfAW. Is that an email I can use?
Yes, it is.
As soon as I find it, I’ll send it along!
Thanks!
Done! I had to boot up our dinosaur to get the original.
Haha! That’s funny that our old computers are now considered dinosaurs. Haha! Thank you!
Well, the good news is I was able to save it on our new computer AND my Google drive, which means I’ll never lose it now! 🙂
That’s great! I read it and it is very good and I agree with everything it says.
Such a difficult situation. Sad. Hope you can help her. But be sure to take care of you!! We all have at least someone in our family!! Hugs
Thanks Jodi! I am aware that if she doesn’t get on medication, I won’t be able to be around her at all (or very very little).
OMG can’t you get her banned from state or something. Does she have dementia? Sounds like it. Poor soul is probably demented by her own thoughts. Will she start dropping by to visit you?
We think that Dementia is what is wrong with her, that she may be in the early stages. I don’t think she will drop by because she will be living in her RV about 12 miles out of town, but she will be calling me. Ugh. You’re right! She has become demented from her own thoughts.
It’s a shame but so difficult all the same
Yes, it is a shame especially because she is strong willed, bull-headed, and stubborn as concrete.
Glad I don’t have to deal with her 🙂
I don’t blame you one bit! LOL! I hope she will go see a doctor when she gets here.
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OH PJ, I couldn’t hit the like button on this. Tho you wrote very well, I hate that you have to deal with this with your sister. Has to be so hard!! HUGS to you and many prayers as she comes in 3 weeks!
Thank you JR, I REALLY appreciate those hugs and your concern. Hopefully, we can get her to a doctor.
Having worked in a day treatment center for people who have mental health problems, I have been in conversations not unlike the one you wrote about. It is a difficult place to be. My thoughts are with you.
Thank you so much! Yes, it is a difficult place to be and I hope she will go to her doctor because I believe she can be helped.
That was a very difficult conversation you had to suffer, PJ. I just hope you cope when she moves back nto your area! I feel rather sorry for her if she really believes that so many people are out to steal her money and make her life difficult. But if she won’t take your advice and go for medical help, she probably won’t take anyone else’s.
Thank you Millie. My family thinks it might be early onset of Dementia. Of course we don’t know for sure but my brothers are working on something to make her go to her doctor. She has been getting worse over the past few years. Conversations with her are horrible. I hope she can get on some medication to help her. You’re right, she won’t listen to me or any of us but hopefully, she will listen to our brothers.
It’s very difficult for everyone involved, isn’t it? I hope you’re right and she’ll listen to your brothers. Just don’t let it get you down too much, if that’s possiible, PJ. You’ve had more than enough to deal with yourself.
Thank you for your concern Millie, I appreciate that. I have had to tell her in the past to say away from me (for my own sanity) and I will again, if it comes to that again.
Yesd, that is necessary sometimes. If she needs medical help, no one will be able to help her until that’s in place. Take care of yourself. 🙂
(I’m just about to have a look at a certain raiway station – once my brain clicks into gear, that is! Hope to post later on.) 🙂
I understand! I had a hard time getting my brain in gear for this one.
I have a few ideas right now, but can’t decide which to do. I sometimes end up writing a few out before I decide – so I never really know whether I’ve made the right choice. And I never read other entries until I’ve done mine. It’s too easy to pick up on other people’s ideas. Have a great day, PJ. 🙂
You have a great day too Millie! I look forward to reading your story. I have mine written, I just haven’t published/linked it yet. I have to run up to the hospital for a blood test for my doctor. I will publish mine when I get back.
Speak to you later, then. 🙂
Okay Millie, I’m getting ready to leave right now. I look forward to reading your story and again, thank you for your concern!
I’m back! Just got back from getting my blood drawn. I can now enjoy my cup of coffee. Life is good. 🙂
Life is definitely good and I’m glad you’re feeling happy today! Have your coffee and put your feet up. I’ve just noticed your post come into my Reader but I won’t read it until I’ve done mine. 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your day, PJ.
Thank you Millie and I wish you to have a wonderful day.
Wow! What a difficult situation. It sounds like you have handled it well. It will be harder if you have to deal with her in person. I hope you can get her to see a doctor…..maybe with the support of family and friends. I wish you well, and God bless you and her.
Thank you Jessie. I appreciate the blessings because we need it. I am hoping my brothers will get her to go to the doctor. Seriously, she is like a tornado.
The reality of these conversations is heart breaking Priceless. I’m sorry you’re all going through this. It’s so difficult.
This story made me nervous too…. I am not sure what to say, you created a series of pictures in mind…. I do hope things work out well for you and Chauna 🙂
Thank you Ady. It will be if we can get her to go to the doctor.
I can only imagine the difficulties in convincing a patient of his/her diseases especially if the symptoms are not physical, isn’t there anyone she yields easily to or is afraid to disobey ? They might succeed ?
Ady she is very very stubborn. But when she gets here there is a doctor here that she trusts and we hope she will go to see him. She really needs to be on medication. We think she has early onset of dementia. Thank you so much for your sweet concern.
Oooo…. I do hope the Doctors can cure it soon and she returns to her family as less complicated then now. Have the courage and the patience , dear PJ 🙂
Thank you Ady! I certainly will try!
What a horrible experience. She is lucky you are so patient and can empathise. Make sure she doesn’t drag you down though. Hope you get through her stay okay and that she gets help.
Thank you very much, I appreciate your concern. I also hope she goes to the doctor for some help.
WOW! Been there. So realistically written! Well done!
Thank you! And it was a “real” converation. 😦