"I really think you should use photos."
She gave me a sidelong glance. "You don't like these?"
"No, no. I'm not saying that. You did manage to capture a certain energy in their faces. Artistically, it's quite well done."
"Thanks, I think so."
"It just that..." I made sure to look away as I spoke so she couldn't stop me in my tracks with another glare.
"What?" I heard her say.
"It just that they're your children." Turned to her.
"I know," she beamed maternally.
"And..they're missing."
"I certainly miss them. That's why I drew this picture."
"And it's a lovely picture. But shouldn't you use photos? I mean, so people can identify them?"
She crossed her arms. "Didn't you just tell me I captured their essence or something?"
"I did. But.."
"You're always trying to shoot me down, aren't you?"
"Not at all!"
"Yes, yes. I put this beautiful artwork up. This tribute..."
"And it is lovely..."
"And you..."
"Please..."
"No, you..."
"Keep it up."
"Really?"
"
I found this story really funny, at least the first half but I'm not sure if I'm supposed to. It really tickled me, once I realized what was going on in the story, to watch the well-meaning "I" in the story try to tactfully prod the mother. The middle section with the reveal of "And they're missing" and her response when she says "I certainly miss them. That's why I drew this picture." seemed really funny. Author will you tell me, am I bad person or was I supposed to laugh?
Yeah, I thought it would be funny to have someone do an abstract painting as a missing persons poster, and then defend their artistry when someone calls them out on it.
The first story I remember writing was about a man who caught a two-headed fish. He held it in his hand, marveling at it for a while, and then he noticed that it had another hook in it's mouth. Somebody else had caught it and let it go. So he carefully removed his hook and set it free.
I don't know how old I was when I wrote that, but I'm still trying to write a better story.
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