This is one great and involved story @jayna The characterisation in particular was stunning. I could myself really disliking Katrina and her clucking ways. Also, I'm not a big fan of privileged people, I often find them vaccous and obnoxious, but the mother seemed pretty level headed.
Was it true that this was how teenagers developed complexes − because their mothers tried to help them become better people?
Ha ha, most probably true. I'm still convinced My mum used reverse psychology in me for that very reason.
Again I love how you build the characters in this story and both the mum and Angela create a feeling of warmth in me.
Then the most amazing thing happened. Angela must have said something, and Katrina must have clucked. Isabelle could not hear them and would never know. But all of a sudden Angela stopped, just before the intersection and the oncoming train.
With a great twist and by the end with the clucking saving the day and I even warm to Katrina... a little 😉
A really Great short story!
P.s. I'm going to try and write something to join in with my own challenge tomorrow but I've been struggling with illness, stress and lack of creativity the last few days.
Thank you for the great feedback, @raj808! It made my day. You picked up on all the nuances I sprinkled in. Katrina is not supposed to be likable at first. But she discovers that being a surly teenager is not going to get her anything in life except heartache.
Take care of yourself, my friend. That’s the most important thing.
You're welcome. I woke up at 3am as I always do at the moment so I thought I'd have a look at what had turned up at The Ink Well... and well... I wasn't disappointed with your story.
Ha ha, fiction is fiction after all 😉 I never learned that lesson until it was too late and a few things had happened after I'd moved out of my parental home to teach me a little caution and wisdom.
It has given me that much needed ten minute reading moment before I try and get a few more hours shut eye 😄
Will do. But I have setting, characters and plot outlined so I may as well give it a stab tomorrow before another prompt is due on Tuesday
Good luck! Follow that muse. She can be capricious.