When Blood Collides
Viewing comments for Chapter 33 "Bruised Again"A family's love is tested.
29 total reviews
Comment from chasennov
My family sits in a corner. A chapter in the book When Blood Collides. Bruised Again.' Yeah, I could feel the insults, and the embarrassment, all too real. I'm just wondering how you really must've felt at the time, and especially after the event. Well done.
reply by the author on 15-Jun-2015
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My family sits in a corner. A chapter in the book When Blood Collides. Bruised Again.' Yeah, I could feel the insults, and the embarrassment, all too real. I'm just wondering how you really must've felt at the time, and especially after the event. Well done.
Comment Written 15-Jun-2015
reply by the author on 15-Jun-2015
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That's covered in the next chapter, Chase.
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Sorry for leaping ahead. I just can't wait.
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
For as "fabulous" as the event was, well planned in appearances, the planners did a crappy job of keeping you informed about what was supposed to happen. I would have been so annoyed that I would have moved to the empty table and if anyone said anything, I'd have made a scene. That's just me. You're lucky you have self-control.
But it was their wedding, and they were happy with it. Don't take it personally. They tried their best to make it fun, and it was, for most guests. Mothers get left out when our kids move on to their own lives... I think that's a fact of life.
At least I like my daughter Katy's guy, and I approve of their marriage plans, which are as simple as can be. Small ceremony followed by a party at their house. We won't even go, since it will be out west where all their friends are along with his family. I can't travel easily by plane due to my oxygen needs... not worth the hassle. They'll visit us after. No gown or meal etc. for us to pay for, and I'm happy with Katy's choice. She's practical above all... just like her mom. :)
reply by the author on 14-Jun-2015
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For as "fabulous" as the event was, well planned in appearances, the planners did a crappy job of keeping you informed about what was supposed to happen. I would have been so annoyed that I would have moved to the empty table and if anyone said anything, I'd have made a scene. That's just me. You're lucky you have self-control.
But it was their wedding, and they were happy with it. Don't take it personally. They tried their best to make it fun, and it was, for most guests. Mothers get left out when our kids move on to their own lives... I think that's a fact of life.
At least I like my daughter Katy's guy, and I approve of their marriage plans, which are as simple as can be. Small ceremony followed by a party at their house. We won't even go, since it will be out west where all their friends are along with his family. I can't travel easily by plane due to my oxygen needs... not worth the hassle. They'll visit us after. No gown or meal etc. for us to pay for, and I'm happy with Katy's choice. She's practical above all... just like her mom. :)
Comment Written 14-Jun-2015
reply by the author on 14-Jun-2015
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That's so important that the parents approve of their children's spouse. Maybe Nichole didn't realize we disliked him that much. I wonder now what would have happened if we had laid our cards on the table and been more honest about our concerns. Probably not, for some reason this was meant to be. At least my son's wedding was conventional and still fun. Plus we love our daughter-in-law, the girl he brought to the wedding.
Comment from walbc
Not a good sign...bride's parents very unhappy and wanting to go home.
Your story remains most interesting, with vibes passing back and forth, fireworks in the air and a mystery remaining as to what transpires. Your usual brilliant prose, Shari.
warm regards, Wendy.
reply by the author on 14-Jun-2015
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Not a good sign...bride's parents very unhappy and wanting to go home.
Your story remains most interesting, with vibes passing back and forth, fireworks in the air and a mystery remaining as to what transpires. Your usual brilliant prose, Shari.
warm regards, Wendy.
Comment Written 14-Jun-2015
reply by the author on 14-Jun-2015
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Thanks, Wendy. Those fireworks stayed in the air a long time and be probably be quick to reappear if I criticized Jeff. I go overboard to play nice.
Comment from Tatarka2
I think it would be REALLY interesting if you were to do the same thing with this that you did with the previous section; that is, try writing it from Nichole's POV. This was apparently a much bigger wedding than I had imagined. Someone had to pay for a wedding of 200+ guests. And, unusual as it was, someone had to plan it all, send out the invitations, plan the seating, the dance, etc. Who? Nichole? Nichole and Jeff? This was all apparently a big surprise to you and your husband, so what kind of process did Nichole go through as she tried to negotiate this with her in-laws and fiance? She must have known how you and Frank would feel - there's another story here, I think. Reading this one, it almost screams to be told. How did this HAPPEN, anyway? There's your story, I think. Also, since patterns of negotiation are set up in the beginning of a marriage, how has she been coping with all of since? How about you and Frank? It seems to me that this is a story about power, control, and family dynamics as much as it is about a funky wedding. I'd love to see you tell it.
reply by the author on 14-Jun-2015
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I think it would be REALLY interesting if you were to do the same thing with this that you did with the previous section; that is, try writing it from Nichole's POV. This was apparently a much bigger wedding than I had imagined. Someone had to pay for a wedding of 200+ guests. And, unusual as it was, someone had to plan it all, send out the invitations, plan the seating, the dance, etc. Who? Nichole? Nichole and Jeff? This was all apparently a big surprise to you and your husband, so what kind of process did Nichole go through as she tried to negotiate this with her in-laws and fiance? She must have known how you and Frank would feel - there's another story here, I think. Reading this one, it almost screams to be told. How did this HAPPEN, anyway? There's your story, I think. Also, since patterns of negotiation are set up in the beginning of a marriage, how has she been coping with all of since? How about you and Frank? It seems to me that this is a story about power, control, and family dynamics as much as it is about a funky wedding. I'd love to see you tell it.
Comment Written 14-Jun-2015
reply by the author on 14-Jun-2015
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You'll get Nichole's POV in the next chapter as I sent her a letter about our feelings. Nichole and Jeff planned the wedding together. Carol came a week earlier to help. That's in an earlier chapter. Nichole has always had a talent for organization. She once thought of starting her own business--organizing other people's messes.
Comment from boxergirl
Oh my...my patience has run out with Jeff and his antics to be the center of attention. Of course, it seems his mother likes the attention as well.
Maybe it is Nicole who will need the patience in the future.
I can see Frank fuming in the corner. 8-)
reply by the author on 14-Jun-2015
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Oh my...my patience has run out with Jeff and his antics to be the center of attention. Of course, it seems his mother likes the attention as well.
Maybe it is Nicole who will need the patience in the future.
I can see Frank fuming in the corner. 8-)
Comment Written 14-Jun-2015
reply by the author on 14-Jun-2015
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Fume, he did all the way home and just couldn't let it go, because he knew how it hurt me.
Comment from barkingdog
Grrr. I would hate being put in the corner. Why couldn't both sets of parents sit at the same table? The table with the view. Or did Jeff and Nicole think the worst might happen, putting you all together?
Frank is having a hard time of it. I imagine the he wants to go home, too.
It sounds like the bride and groom are having fun. That's what counts.
:) ellen
reply by the author on 14-Jun-2015
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Grrr. I would hate being put in the corner. Why couldn't both sets of parents sit at the same table? The table with the view. Or did Jeff and Nicole think the worst might happen, putting you all together?
Frank is having a hard time of it. I imagine the he wants to go home, too.
It sounds like the bride and groom are having fun. That's what counts.
:) ellen
Comment Written 14-Jun-2015
reply by the author on 14-Jun-2015
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Since I had enough family coming, we needed a whole table. Nope, not a good idea to put both sets of parents together plus his grandmother and caretaker plus half-sister Ashley took up room.
As long as Nichole was happy, that's what really counted.
Comment from judiverse
I don't blame you for being ready to head home, after enduring all the insults. It seems as if things had been deliberately planned to slight you and Frank. I'm surprised Nicole chose the tango,if Jeff wasn't much of a dancer. It is difficult. I can't believe all the things he did to make himself the center of attention. I can visualize Frank trying very hard to control his temper and not make a scene, when it appeared you were deliberately being shut out. judi
reply by the author on 14-Jun-2015
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I don't blame you for being ready to head home, after enduring all the insults. It seems as if things had been deliberately planned to slight you and Frank. I'm surprised Nicole chose the tango,if Jeff wasn't much of a dancer. It is difficult. I can't believe all the things he did to make himself the center of attention. I can visualize Frank trying very hard to control his temper and not make a scene, when it appeared you were deliberately being shut out. judi
Comment Written 14-Jun-2015
reply by the author on 14-Jun-2015
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Thanks, judi, for the exceptional review. Some of this will be addressed in the next post. Of course, this is all the facts from my POV. Nichole seemed oblivious. From my recent weekly call I suspect she is waking up after fifteen years as his wife. MAybe just wishful thinking.
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You're very welcome. It'll be interesting to see if your suspicious are correct. It sounds like she's the one who's been keeping him afloat. judi
Comment from sibhus
Ah, yes the joining of two people in Holy Wedlock, and the binding of two families into one clan. In this case it sounds like the Hatfields and the McCoys , ha, ha. It sounds almost like a combined costume party and wedding reception, which sounds like it could have been fun. Great details, it's almost if we are there with you. Good stuff there, Spitfire.
reply by the author on 14-Jun-2015
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Ah, yes the joining of two people in Holy Wedlock, and the binding of two families into one clan. In this case it sounds like the Hatfields and the McCoys , ha, ha. It sounds almost like a combined costume party and wedding reception, which sounds like it could have been fun. Great details, it's almost if we are there with you. Good stuff there, Spitfire.
Comment Written 14-Jun-2015
reply by the author on 14-Jun-2015
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Thanks goodness, we never had any more contact with Jeff's folks. Seems the few times we've visited, Jeff still manages to be inappropriate.
Comment from Sasha
I know you love your daughter and told me they are still together, but how bloody rude to have you sit in a corner and treated like strangers. I too would have been ready to go home as soon as I entered the room...sorry. I found one small spag you may want to look at:
Jeff had the grace of cow...should be grace of 'a' cow...
reply by the author on 14-Jun-2015
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I know you love your daughter and told me they are still together, but how bloody rude to have you sit in a corner and treated like strangers. I too would have been ready to go home as soon as I entered the room...sorry. I found one small spag you may want to look at:
Jeff had the grace of cow...should be grace of 'a' cow...
Comment Written 14-Jun-2015
reply by the author on 14-Jun-2015
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Thanks, sasha, for seeing the error. I suspect Jeff made out the seating chart. More about that later.
Comment from Lovinia
Hi Shari
Easy to see why you were so frustrated and Frank so angry. Ahh .. the angst of mothers and daughters. My mother felt the same about the man I married ... he did prove her right, though it took twenty years and three sons before he dumped us in the gutter. I'm not sure how Nicole has fared. I hope better than me. You describe the scene well highlighting a little of the anguish you must have felt at not being informed to wait to be introduced and to be placed 'in the corner'. I feel for you ... I hope your relationship has since improved with Nicole. Well-penned. Hugs - Lovi xoxo
reply by the author on 14-Jun-2015
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Hi Shari
Easy to see why you were so frustrated and Frank so angry. Ahh .. the angst of mothers and daughters. My mother felt the same about the man I married ... he did prove her right, though it took twenty years and three sons before he dumped us in the gutter. I'm not sure how Nicole has fared. I hope better than me. You describe the scene well highlighting a little of the anguish you must have felt at not being informed to wait to be introduced and to be placed 'in the corner'. I feel for you ... I hope your relationship has since improved with Nicole. Well-penned. Hugs - Lovi xoxo
Comment Written 14-Jun-2015
reply by the author on 14-Jun-2015
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Twenty years! Well, thank goodness, Nichole told before the wedding, she didn't want children. It's been fifteen for her now, but occasionally, I get clues that she's had enough. She would never tell me though that I was right from the start. Wish he would dump Nichole, but then he'd have to work!
