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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: GRATE (11/19/15)
It was the day before Thanksgiving, and I was helping my mom with food preparation. Soon my parent’s home would be filled with relatives—some good and—some not so good.

Mom’s kitchen was small and got hot quickly. Drying my brow, I manually grated cheese for the mac and cheese everyone was anticipating. I heard the doorbell, and then I heard the harsh voice of my Uncle Edward. His voice caused me to reduce the cheese to very small particles even more quickly.

Another doorbell announced the arrival of Aunt Mabel. My irritation level went skyward. “How can I be kin to these annoying people?” I apparently said out loud, because I drew a sharp rebuke from my sweet mother.

“The Lord loves everybody, Beth. You should take a lesson from Him.”

“Sorry Mom. I’ll do better.” The words left my tongue before going any deeper inside my body. However, my up-bringing dictated that I keep a kind demeanor.

My knuckles were white as I pressed the cheese harder against the grater. I resisted the urge to slip out the kitchen door. Soon the mac and cheese was bubbling away in the oven. Idle hands meant I should socialize, but I couldn’t bear the thought of mixing and mingling.

That’s when I saw several large carrots in a colander on the counter. “Ah ha! Carrot salad.” I immediately began reducing the veggies to thin slices with the grater I had just washed. Although, my fingers grew numb, I kept pressing the carrots firmly against the grater.

Finally the job was done so I added some raisins, drained crushed pineapple, and my favorite condiment, mayo. Um-m-m . . . yum. What now? Looking around I realized to my dismay that everything was done. A timer dinged announcing the mac and cheese was also done. What was I going to do now? Since no options presented themselves, I was forced to join the family in the grand room.

Starting with my brother and his wife, I drug out my conversations as I made my way around the room. “Well, Bethie girl, looks like you kept all your baby weight. How’s the little man doing?”

“The baby is doing fine. How are you, Aunt Mabel?” I said without moving my lips through clinched teeth.

Why! Why did I ask her that question? I listened as she went from her snotty sinuses to her explosive Irritable Bowel Syndrome all the way to her severely infected, ingrown toenails which were displayed for all to see. Ooze and all. Yuck!

Moving right along, Uncle Edward grabbed me and pinched my behind, before slobbering all over my neck in an all too familiar kiss. I was at my breaking point, but I thought about Mom’s remarks earlier.

Excusing myself I headed directly to the bathroom. I felt like I needed a shower, but I settled for a warm bath cloth. I hid out until I heard the people moving to the dining room.

“Lord, I’m on the verge of embarrassing my parents. I need you to help me, and I’m not joking. I know you love all these people, but I’m having trouble being tolerant. Help me be what you want me to be. Amen.”

At the table, my dad prayed a wonderful prayer. I felt much better. Soon dish after dish made their way around Mom’s huge table. It’s amazing how food can silence loud annoying voices. I let my thoughts reflect on grating the cheese and carrots. Then it hit me. Grating had been therapy for my irritated nerves.

Fiction
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This article has been read 609 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Bonnie Bowden 
11/29/15
Grate use of this week's topic. I think each of us know at least one family member that might hit a nerve now and then.
Noel Mitaxa 
11/29/15
You can choose your friends, but you are stuck with family. Still, you've taken us through your MC's mood (or your mood if this is autobiographical) and opened the door for God's grace to build his peace. Well done.
Francie Snell 
11/30/15
Great take on the topic. This had me laughing. You did a wonderful job describing all the personalities. Makes me want a dish of mac-n-cheese.
God Bless
C D Swanson 
12/02/15
Excellent job in content and delivery...well done. I really enjoyed this well written piece.

God bless~
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
12/03/15
You did a wonderful job of painting some awesome pictures. I especially enjoyed the snot and infected toes. It made me shudder, but in a good way. The only thing that bothered me a bit was the all-too-familiar kiss. My mind went to child molestation. I'm not sure if that was your intention, if so then you should expand on it. I'm guessing it was more that each year he kissed the MC, but thought I'd point it out in case. Everything else was near perfect. I liked your double take on the topic. You did a nice job with the conflict and the resolution. Nicely done.