Relatives

[franceslievens]

Suddenly, in the middle of Christmas dinner, waiting for cake and coffee, you find yourself trapped. The other guests are reclining on the couch or in the kitchen or taking a walk, but you were tricked by your absent-mindedness. There you are, all by yourself, with great-aunt (or gran, or drunk uncle) telling you stories about The War. Every family must have one of these members: pour a couple too many drinks in them and they start telling you how things were better when they were little – but not quite. The logic in their stories has left the building with the wrapping paper and the leftover turkey-bits. When you try to add your layer to the conversation, they nod and go on, where-ever their mind is taking them. The panic in your eyes is easily confused with interest. The other family members only shrug. It's your turn now to tend for the feeble minded. And you didn't have a "get out of jail free"-card. It is in fact an unnamed family game. The goal is this: leave the table as unconspicuous and as quickly as you can. The loser (the one who ends up sitting at the table all by his- or herself) gets to entertain great-aunt.

Comments

[sister-luck.livejournal.com]

Sounds just like my greataunt. On Boxing Day we made our annual trip to her place. I've learned to tolerate her ways and thankfully, this year, there were no discussions of the past.
(There was one time when it culminated with me storming out of her place crying with anger, frustration and shame. We've managed not to repeat that performance. It is worse when the old folks are still caught up in the propaganda.)

[frances-lievens.livejournal.com]

Poor you! It wasn't that bad though, but at one point I was wishing someone would come out of the kitchen to rescue me. The lady is very nice and everything, but it kinda gets to you when she keeps complaining about the same things over and over again and whatever you say, she keeps making sense that is not.

P.S.

[frances-lievens.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the Christmas card!

Re: P.S.

[sister-luck.livejournal.com]

You're welcome!