Dead mean

“I’m worried about Bruce.” announced the old woman and explained her concern. “He’s not paying anything for living here!”

“But he’s not getting the care you are,” her daughter answered cautiously, not wanting to upset her mother, “so he doesn’t need to pay anything.”

“But he’s here all the time!” was mum’s reply. “All the carers know!”

“Really?... well they can’t see him, can they?”

“They know...” mum tapped her nose, “and he sleeps in the bed with me!”

“It must be pretty cramped in there!” chuckled daughter, pointing at the single hospital bed, knowing dad died five years earlier.

Drabble published October 20, 2018 08:20

Neville Hunt over 5 years ago

True story... almost verbatim.
Neville Hunt over 5 years ago

Thanks very much Drew. I just accept that he's there and it makes her feel good, but I wonder if it does! I certainly wish he would keep her frequent nastiness under control, although she now thinks I'm a hero... a complete reversal of fortune! :-)
Neville Hunt over 5 years ago

We fought tooth and nail early on - I wasn’t good enough for her daughter (who would have been?), then, being a good adman, I started to treat her like a client (yes ma’am, no ma’am, three bags full ma’am) andit did the trick. Now I’m the only one she really likes as ‘I understand her!’ Simples! 🐿
Steve McBrevity over 5 years ago

Reminds me of Allegra’s mother who was under the misapprehension that the former director of the British Sand and Gravel Association living down the corridor on the left was her husband. He likewise thought she was his wife. Touching if it was not so sad.
Neville Hunt over 5 years ago

I’d known Allegra’s mother for many years although my last encounter prompted the response “Who are you?” (Yet again I wasn’t good enough! Ho-hum!).
Neville Hunt over 5 years ago

Mrs H has just reminded me about something Allegra’s mum apparently said to our solicitor mate. “I don’t know who you are, but I know you’re a naughty boy!”

She can’t have been that far gone because she was right!