Photo prompt © Douglas M. MacIlroy
Empty Nest (100 words)
Empty nest syndrome, the counsellor had called it. Get yourselves a hobby, he’d told them.
Now Malcolm sat in his workshop, talking to his birds – ‘the man cave’ Marjorie had mockingly labelled it – and tried not to think about his wife, or her new Tango partner.
Funny, he thought, While I’m tending my birds, she’s out spreading her wings. His phone buzzed and he tapped to read it:
Going for a drink with Brian after Tango, don’t wait up.
Something snapped.
He stood robotically, grabbed a claw-hammer from his toolbox and went back to the house to wait for her.
jwdwrites 
Great story that I’ll remember. I dance and my husband sits at home. Thanks to your warning, if he ever makes a man cave and collects birds, I’ll know to do something.
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Oh no! Not a happy ending at all.
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Who knows? The intent is sometimes as dark as I want to go. Thank you for reading 🙂
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Well all he had to do was get off his duff and tango with his wife! What did he expect? Her to sit around while he putzed around in his mancave?
Don’t come back, Marjory!!
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Couldn’t agree more Dale! He brought it all on himself. Somehow I think he’s going to be waiting a long time for her to get back! 🙂
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Oh crumbs.
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Perhaps a few bone fragments, some tenderised flesh and some difficult stains to get out, but unlikely any crumbs, Ali 🙂 Hope you had a great birthday.
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Jeez, more than empty nest syndrome going on here! I hope she stays away with Brian and doesn’t come home to her fate.
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Me too, he’s one sick puppy! Thanks for reading Iain 🙂
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Very good. Liked the use of the bird in the prompt.
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Thank you 😊
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Good story. I suspect that Marjorie is more than a match for Malcolm, even armed with a claw hammer.
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He underestimates her at his peril! Thanks for reading 🙂
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Ow! I liked where this story went. A very clever use of the prompt.
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Thank you, Varad, I am glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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I have a feeling that she will not come home tonight… it’s too late Malcolm.
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I’ve got a feeling you are right Björn 🙂
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That took a tragic twist. Nicely written.
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Thank you very much. 🙂
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I hope she enjoyed her last dance! Nice one.
Click to read my FriFic!
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She may yet get away with it Keith! 🙂
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Ouch! We chose the same title and – almost – the same theme. Yours is much darker!
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Gad zooks! I think he needs a different hobby. Make he too should take up the Tango. Great use of the prompt.
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Thanks 😊
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