Trifecta Challenge: Week 60

January 14, 2013 by UndercoverL | 49 Comments

For this week’s Trifecta Challenge, we are meant to write a piece between 33 and 333 words that uses the following definition of the word idle:

a) shiftless, lazy or b) having no evident lawful means of support.

This is the third installment in a fictional piece I am working on.  For parts 1 and 2, click the linked numbers.  As always I am open to feedback about this (and the other) pieces.

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Identity Lost

“You’re right,” agreed Alex.  “I don’t understand what Shelley’s problem is.  It’s been—what—seven years since they split up?”

“I don’t quite understand it myself, Al.  I’ve never been in a situation like hers, so I have a hard time judging.  In fact, I try my hardest to give her the benefit of the doubt.  Clearly she is not one of those people who looks at a situation, evaluates the factors, and then accepts and moves on.  I suppose her continued upset comes from the fact that she feels like she was rejected.”

“She was…”

“Oh, I know.  But it’s not like she didn’t contribute to the problems in their marriage that resulted in their split.  She let herself go.  As soon as she had their children, she just settled into the role of being a stay-at-home mother.  She stopped pursuing her education, she stopped making an effort.  She lost her identity.”

“If she ever had one,” chimed Alex.

Sam laughed and shook her head.  She rolled her eyes to the ceiling and mouthed a general apology.  Her eyes lingered for a minute on the wooden ceiling panel that had been intricately carved with curves and loops.  What simple beauty it was.

“According to Steve, she wouldn’t even change out of her pajamas most days.  The kids spent their days in front of the television, while their mom sat upstairs and watched Oprah reruns.  I think it sickened him that she had clearly decided that she had done enough and could sit back and let him take care of her.  She wouldn’t even sleep with him during the last eight months of the marriage.”

“I wonder how people get that way?”  mused Alex, aloud.

“I can’t say I would know.  I would never be able to watch my life pass me by.  I am too independent to just sit back and let someone take care of me.  As I’ve always told Steve, ‘If you ever see me grow idle, just kill me.’”

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