Get Over It!
A Story Every Day in 2024 14th March 74/366
This story comes with a mild Dharrsheena warning - mention of animal death
This was inspired by the fact that Sunday was National Get Over It Day in the USA. This was originally going to be published by me on Sunday but I opted to write one about mothers instead as it was Mother's Day in the UK.
***
He just didn't get it. Why was there so much fuss about things?
His daughter and her divorce. She didn't want to be with the guy; she left him because she wanted to and now, all she wanted to do was moan about how hard her life was. When he'd told her to "get over it" because he didn't want to hear it anymore, he couldn't understand why she was so upset. Why did she leave him if she wasn't prepared to accept how it would be?
He wasn't a callous man, but he had noticed that as he was getting older, his tolerance for what he thought was bullshit was on the wane.
Ralph was in danger of ending up a lonely old man with his attitude, because society found it difficult to tolerate someone with his lack of tact, or rather, as he saw it, his "just being honest" attitude.
His neighbour and her dead dog. He liked Kate but it had been a couple of weeks since her collie had died and he had been such a sad creature. Teddy was nearly blind, his coat was mangy and he was lame in one of his back legs so he roamed the neighbourhood shitting on people's lawns and looking like he was the pet of a zombie overlord. When Ralph saw Teddy, he used to cringe, maybe seeing something in that dog that he dreaded for himself.
Kate had always been so nice to talk to. She had always managed to brighten his day but since the death of Teddy, she had become someone that he had avoided. He understood her grief but surely, there was a time limit for these things? It was tiresome.
The last time he saw her, he looked at her washed-out face and blurted out, "Still not over Teddy yet then?" He hadn't meant it to come out so abruptly and winced inwardly at the hurt visible on her face.
"No, Ralph," she said icily. "I am not."
She stalked away.
There was no getting over his feeling of regret.
***
366 words
I mean, there really is a day for everything. I wonder if Hallmark do a card? And if they do, and you don't like the fact that they do, get over it!
Thanks for stopping by! If you do read this, please do leave a comment as I love to interact with my readers.
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Comments (8)
Adjacent to a profile on the stereotypical “get off my lawn” old guy, but grounded in some very authentic exchanges! His voice in describing the collie was crystal clear
I'd never heard of 'National Get Over It' day, so thank you for teaching me something! I wonder if they do make those cards. 😄
As should Ralph. He should just get over telling everyone to get over it.
Rachel, I had no idea there was such a day allotted for "get over it." I wish I couldn't relate to Ralph, but I do, both in attitude and bluntness. I really try to filter, but I leak at times.
Just enough self-awareness to torture himself almost as much as he tortures others. So well written that it made me squirm!
Ouch. What a womble. of the cock variety. I understand and as I get older...I am erring to the side of Whoeffingcares...it's my opinion etc. But, I try to fight it because...I don't want to unnecessarily upset people for no rhyme or reason. This is a well told little tale and as ever...seems very light and so easy to skim through but within it holds a lot of deep insight and questions. Like Kayleigh said. Well done, Chum without the p.
Thank you SO MUCHHHHHH for that warning! I saw the warning and then read the title again and kinda put two and two together but maybe it equaled to five, who knows but I'm just too scared to read it so here I am typing away in the comments hoping I'm spending enough time here so that this would register as a read. But seriously though, you have no idea how much I appreciate your Dharrsheena warnings. I don't know how to even repay your kindness 🥺❤️
I so almost didn’t click on this because the title sounded so harsh 😅 and I’m glad that I did… ! A well told, straightforward short story that highlights deep and serious issues affecting relationships and community. Well done!