Idiom
When we were kids, Dad used to say “And you don’t take a shower in the high street,” whenever we did something patently stupid. It became a family phrase, one of those private idioms that you take for granted between yourselves, but which raise an eyebrow or a question when used with strangers.
What I loved most about the phrase though, was how it made Mum laugh whenever he said it. She didn’t laugh much, and very rarely indeed at anything Dad said. That phrase, and whatever history had created it, sometimes felt like the glue holding their marriage together.
elmowrites 
A strange and rather touching piece, Jen.
A whole lot of pain in ‘She didn’t laugh much’…
Thanks. I think many people have a tendency to lose the laughter; it’s a shame but make it such a special sound when it comes.
That’s an affectionate and lovely portrait
Thanks, Neil!
Dear Jen,
I love those little shared inside jokes. You built a larger story around it. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you, I had an idea for more of a ‘story’ around it but when this came in at 100 words it felt like a natural break point.
Feels like a very realistic portrayal of a family and a marriage. Nicely done.
Thanks, Iain! The story is fictional, but both my family as a child and my little family now definitely revel in those little ‘in jokes’.
Love the thoughtfulness of this idiom. Well done.
Aw, thanks Mason. The phrase just came to me when I saw the image – I’m intrigued what is actually going on here.
I think the place is actually a spooky old water treatment works turned into a haunted attraction in London. i think that’s what it is anyway.
Ah, that figures. London is full of weird ‘spooky’ things
Ir sure is. I was wrong though. Apparently this in New York lol
I can only echo the above comments, this post warmed my heart
🙂 And your comment warms mine!
What a great family picture out of a presentation of an idiom. That last sentence is so powerful. A really effective snapshot.
Thank you. I’m glad the last line resonated in particular.
Beautiful intimate slice of life.
Thanks!
Sometimes it’s the little things that hold families together.
Absolutely.
There’s a whole lot of backstory there. Do children ever really know their parents? Lovely story.
You are so right! Your comment reminds me of another FF from years ago… I’m going to have to look back at it now!
Each family has their “thing” or expression. You have portrayed that so well here.
Right? This one is fictional, but we had several in my childhood family and now with my own husband and kids. Hard to avoid after so much time together.
Absolutely! Now I’m trying to think of the ones we had 🙂
Glad the story is fictional, but I love the tender POV and the convincing realism with which it’s told. Well done.
Thanks Dora, I usually find realism easier to write, although I love a touch of fantasy too 😉
A beautifully touching piece, so well written!
Thanks!
I love your gentle touch, even as you lay bare the weaknesses of the marriage. You hint at a whole emotional dynamic; wistfulness, loss of joy, and yet a great willingness to do what is necessary to stay together.
I think it’s a truth for a great many marriages, at least at times. Strong marriages almost certainly have their weaknesses too 😉 Thank you for your comment, Penny, I’m glad the story struck you
What a touching and authentic sort of snapshot. Brought to mind the little phrases from my own history.
Excellent! Even where they aren’t the only glue, I think shared culture like this is part of the fabric of happy family.
I think so too.
Heartwarming memories of someone’s childhood unveiled in your tale.
Nicely penned … Isadora 😎
Thank you, Isadora!
A touching story. I love the ending.
Cheers!
Interesting take on the prompt, very different. Well done.
Thanks. It stumped me for a bit, but this is what came and I’ve long since stopped resisting the muse!
I never know what’s going to come out of my brain or my fingers. 🙂