Tim is dead. His fingers dab the cologne that gives her hives across his collar. His hands ruffle that collar in the way she always fixes when he’s in front of people. His wallet, usually home to a few token twenties, bulges with deceptive singles. Timothy observes Tim’s corpse: dressed a little too crisp, hair a little too mussed, wearing a seven-o’clock shadow that he really ought to shave off before the party. Not a thing about the dearly departed would meet his mother-in-law’s approval. If his mother-in-law would always use his full name to oppress him, then he will give it to her with a smile calculated to be just phony enough to bother her without being able to call him on. It took four of her Christmas Eve Bashes to kill Tim. This Yule, Timothy reigns supreme.
This piece popped into my head reading the first line of Michael Tate's story, "Darkness Surrounding."
Happy Independence Day!
ReplyDeleteI seem to be dying everywhere lately.
ReplyDeleteweird one.. love it!
ReplyDeleteOh no, you can't let the mother in law win! I can't tell if this is happy or sad. lol
ReplyDeleteI don't get it. Is Tim and Timothy the same person? If so then how is he dead an manipulating his dead body? I know it loses the point if you explain it but I really don't get this one.
ReplyDeleteI adore these responses. Thanks folks!
ReplyDeleteAs far as Joe's concern: Tim and Timothy are the same person, "Timothy" being the full name that his mother-in-law always uses to annoy him. She has hassled him at all of these engagements, so he is going to deliberately annoy her in return tonight, and all the things he's doing add up to a "Timothy" who warrants her disdain, rather than his usual "Tim" self.
There's a little something inside of us that only the in-laws can kill.
ReplyDeleteChristmas and in-laws, an unholy combo.
ReplyDeleteI liked the smallness of his rebellion. It seemed appropriate.
One thing though, you say he's "wearing an seven o'clock shadow". Did you mean to?
I liked what you did with that line. Like Joe, I was a bit confused, although I had a sense it was 'meek Tim' that was really dead.
ReplyDeleteOverall it was a nice piece, and I wonder who is going to be the next one to kill poor Timmy :)
I had to read this four times before I got it. Tim is dead; that makes sense now.
ReplyDeleteNot bad, Mr Wiswell.
I'm totally confused- is Tim dead or alive..... oh well .... I guess I didn't get this one. ^_^
ReplyDeleteOkay I just read your response in the comments to Joe - hmm
ReplyDelete