Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: SLANDER (09/07/17)
-
TITLE: Disparage | Previous Challenge Entry
By JC Hummel
09/14/17 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
“You have two children already, don’t you think that’s enough?” Laura growled on the other end of the phone.
Irene tried to remain composed. “Well, Laura, sometimes God has a different plan for our lives. Anyway, Jacob and I are looking forward to being parents again.”
“Another baby is just going to mean more stress in your lives.”
“I think we’ll be able to manage”
“I’m just stating the obvious.”
“No you’re not, and quite frankly, I think you’re being rude.”
“Irene I need to pack for my trip. Why don’t you call back when you’ve calmed down. Goodbye.”
Laura was prone to mood swings. When she was happy she was charming and fun to be around, but when she was having a bad day she could be very insensitive. Today was one of the worst days. Irene was glad her in-laws would be away for a month, she needed some breathing room.
A few weeks later, she got an e-mail from Laura, it was a picture of an angel and the words: ‘Forgive others as quickly as God forgives you.’
“I think Laura is still upset with me.” Irene said to her husband. “She wasn't happy when I told her about the baby and when things got heated, she told me to call her back when I calmed down.”
“Did you call her back?” he said raising his eyebrows.
“No, I was too afraid. Today she sent me an e-mail about forgiveness.”
“Don’t take it personally. You know Laura’s quirky, harmless.”
“When was the last time you talked to her or your Dad?”
A few weeks ago, before they left on their trip. My dad asked me to come over with the kids but we couldn’t, it was one of the days the kids were at day camp.”
Standing in line at the deli, Irene saw, Sam, one of Laura’s friends, but as she approached her to say hello, the woman completely ignored her and walked away. She thought her behavior strange.
On the way out, still upset by what had happened, she bumped into her neighbor Josie.
“How are you doing?”
“Honestly Josie, I’m a little upset. I just got snubbed by a friend of Laura’s. It’s weird, I’ve know her for years.”
“Irene, I should have told you this sooner, but Laura’s been telling people you won’t let her see the kids.”
“What? That’s not true. Anyway, we haven’t seen them, they’ve been on vacation.”
“She told everyone at my mom’s bookclub meeting a few weeks ago.”
“So this has been going on for weeks?”
“Yes, she said that you were upset with her about something and now refuse to let them see the kids.”
When Irene got home she marched into the kitchen. “You need to call Laura and find out what she is up to,” she yelled at Jacob.
“What are you talking about?”
“I just found that Laura has been telling her friends, and her bookclub buddies, and who knows who else, that I won’t let her see the kids.”
“Are you sure it’s not a misunderstanding?”
“Yes, and it’s been going on for weeks. You’re the one who told your dad that you couldn't bring the kids over, and now it’s been misconstrued and they think I won’t let them see their grandkids. You’re always making excuses for Laura’s behavior saying she’s eccentric, or she’s a little different. Now she’s crossed the line,” she said sobbing into her tissue.
Jacob picked up his phone. “I’m going to call my dad. I don’t want you to worry about it anymore,” and his kissed her forehead.
She had faith that Jacob would handle it, but she still worried about what people might be saying.
When she was at the store the following week, she braced herself for what might happen and then she saw Sam, Laura’s friend, who now smiled and waved at her.
Part of Irene wanted to go over and give her a piece of her mind, but she remembered Laura’s e-mail on forgiveness and smiled and waved back.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
Blessings~
Great message.