“You can stop the crocodile tears. You know whining gets you nowhere with me.”
I try to keep my voice even, not needing to share our conversation with my fellow cafe denizens. All I want is a quiet morning to just sit and sip my latte.
“This is settled. I’m not arguing with you.”
Holding the phone away from my mouth, I blow on my hot tea. I don’t want to ruin what’s left of my day by burning my mouth.
“I treat you like one of my kids, because you act like one of my kids. No, wait. My kids understand the concept of ‘gratitude’.”
I can envision my sister actually stomping her foot as she delivers her mothering accusation.
“You’re not interested in setting your life right, you know what to do, you just won’t.” I hate how I do sound more like her parent than her sibling. “It’s all about the drama. You love the attention more.”
Holding the phone at arm’s length, I roll my eyes at her histrionics, silently snickering at my unintended, but apropos, pun.
“You know that I did not call you that. More, more… you love the attention MORE.”
Resting my head in my free hand, I realize how tired I suddenly am.
“Roger said he would buy a bus ticket for you, but that was beneath you. The fumes, the smell, you might have to share space with the Great Unwashed. You’ll just have to put up with me for the four-hour drive.”
I can hear her sniffing, but know it’s all for effect.
“You’re right, nothing can melt my cold, cold heart.”
My tea, no longer hot, has lost its appeal.
“Just be ready by the time I get there,” I wasn’t looking forward to our trip. “You are going to move in with me, no more excuses. I know… it’s only until you get back on your feet.”
Closing the call, I enter a Google search, “Do crocodiles eat their young?”
Thin spiral notebook 
Delightful. I fed all my siblings to the crocs years ago.
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I have a sister who thrives on drama. I won’t go into the gory details, but this sure reminded me of her. I like these one-sided conversations. You see them played to good effect sometimes in films. Really well done, Tara.
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I have an older sister who has the exact effect on me…only our ending would NOT be as sweet as yours. There is no way in h@!! I would allow her to stay with me…for many many reasons. Regardless, this post hit home. Thank you for a great read!
Again….a wonderful read. Keep them coming!!:)
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HA! I have an older brother I would not want to live with again… for many, many reasons. But, I also don’t think he’d ever ask. Thanks for stopping by.
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A perfect end here.. love that..
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Thanks, Björn!
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Poor girl-what a sister to have-ouch! Hope google threw up the right answer at her, lol! Great job Tara 🙂
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I actually did check. Males crocs will eat their young.
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Ha!ha!I guess it has something to do with their protecting their leadership-like many other animals they may be eating their male progeny?
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Very eye opening and moving. This was nicely worded and got what was going on in as short of a space as possible. Very nicely done. Also there is an Interesting approach to the prompt.
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So, so realistic – I could easily imagine overhearing this conversation. I love the Gaiman quote you’ve got up top, by the way. It sums up my writing philosophy perfectly! 🙂
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Great photo!
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Thanks, Jonathan. It was a little scary, but the ‘gator was farther away than the photo looks. Thank goodness for a zoom lens.
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Lovely snap of a difficult relationship. Love the perspective you gave us with this and your last lines adds a touch of humour – we’ve got to laugh when it comes to those we love but who drive us crazy. Thanks for linking up!
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Great write. Love the ending line. And congrats on your award!
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