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Saturday night. Time for the weekly Dinner Date night. They had been doing this for the past year of their marriage. It was supposed to make them feel like they were dating, bring back that newly dating fresh-feeling. At least that’s what their marriage counselor had told them that night many appointments ago, Mary thought to herself. She let out a big sigh then caught herself before Jim heard her.
“So, where do you want to go tonight, Jim?”, Mary faced her husband and braced her hands under the breakfast nook table for the conversation she knew was about to follow.
“Oh, I don’t care. You pick this time.” Jim mumbled through the body of the morning paper. “You know I hate being made to pick.” He snapped the paper turning to the next page.
“O.K. There’s this really great Chinese…”
Jim interjected before she could go any further, “Don’t tell me you want to go for Chinese. You KNOW I can’t take that stuff, that MSG.”
“Well then, I was thinking Maison…”
“Oh heck no! That place is too expensive and you know I can’t eat rich food. The doctor said no more. Jesus, Mary, can’t you just come up with something!”
Mary paused. Took a reassuring sip of her coffee, savoring it’s warmth, it’s comfort. She’d try that final third attempt. “Then Outback. They have good variety. Gotta be something there we’d both like?” Then she waited for the same response she’d been receiving all these Saturday mornings.
“Eh! Not in the mood. To heck with this. We’re going to Olive Garden. I don’t feel like quibbling anymore. Love their breadsticks after all. You too, Mary, right? Yeah that’s right” Jim dropped the corner of his paper. “Mary, you really should try to come up,with the restaurant one of these times. Dr. Fields says you need to take some initiative in this marriage. I have to agree, ya know. So tiring to make ALL the decisions…”
Mary heard Jim as he droned on but she had learned to not process this part anymore. What was the use listening since it was the same every time? Zoning out at this point is what saved her from running away from the table screaming and pulling her hair out; just as she envisioned in her daydream.
Taking one more long drink of coffee, Mary came back to the present. She found a slight smile to put on her face and said, “Breadsticks will do just fine. Pass me the Front Page now you’re done.”
tildy1 said:
Seems like a real conversation!
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Linda Rooney said:
Thankfully not one I’ve had. Sadly I’ve observed similar. Thanks for the input because writing dialogue gives me the fits and the sweats. Lol!
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Laurie Jackson Author said:
I think this sounded like a real conversation. I’ve had these kinds of conversations in the past. I felt like the woman in your writing. I thought you did a great job with your dialogue. Personally, I enjoy writing it.
Have a wonderful evening! I look forward to reading more of your blogs. š
Laurie Jackson
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Linda Rooney said:
Thank you Laurie for the words of confidence. I haven’t been able to write creatively for a long time. I’m trying to reawaken it. I’m glad that the conversation came across as real. Not so sure I’m glad you’ve had conversations like this though.
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Laurie Jackson Author said:
It’s ok. Actually, that guy is someone who is now in my past.
Hope you have a wonderful evening! š
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Linda Rooney said:
Here’s to the past being the past. Have a wonderful evening yourself!
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Laurie Jackson Author said:
Thank you! š
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aprobertsstories said:
I love how you immerse the reader in Mary’s mind. Your dialogue is also wonderfully written. š
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Linda Rooney said:
Thank you for the positive feedback! I guess I just need to stop fretting and just try to write, fix it later attitude. š
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Grasshopper Girls said:
Oh boy, I know people like that! Loved getting to hear Mary’s thoughts. I’ve had similar thoughts myself, though thankfully not with the man I married.
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fantasticbetty2014 said:
Oh no!!! Were you at my house??? So realistic in my opinion! We have had that type of conversation many times! Fortunately for me my husband generally likes whatever I do suggest and I like to find new and interesting places so our conversations end differently from the one you portrayed.
I like how Mary actually says very little but you know exactly what she is thinking. Very well done!
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Linda Rooney said:
Thank you. I’m happy you found it realistic. š
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Burgess Taylor said:
This sounded like a realistic conversation. Great use of dialogue. I also like the use of internal dialogue.
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Linda Rooney said:
Thanks. I’m always concerned that my dialogue is not realistic.
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amberamulets said:
I wanted to keep reading…sounded like a great novel setting the stage for love, loss, and the trials of marriage! Nice job!
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Linda Rooney said:
Thanks. It came to me easier than expected. Maybe I’ll revisit them for a longer story in the future. Thanks for suggesting it would make a good longer story. š
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Laura L. said:
I like that you kept it to Mary’s POV instead of being totally omniscient. Mary is nicer than I am… I would have been considering leaping across the table with a dangerous fork. š
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Linda Rooney said:
I would have used the fork too! The part about her hands under the table – I pictured in my mind how she may be digging her nails into the opposite hand.
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