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The Down Side, by Allison Symes

12/5/2023

 
Belinda grimaced. Finding a magic lamp with genie was one thing. Realising she would never be poor again was great but…

Once her wish was fulfilled, she had to give the lamp to someone she disliked. The genie said by giving it away, dislikes might be softened, friendships formed.

Belinda snorted. She’d always dislike Maisy for saying Belinda’s mother was dotty when dementia was clearly at work.

But being able to conjure up money, literally, would mean no worries about care home bills.

Belinda sighed. ‘You win, genie, but I’m doing this for my mother, not for Maisy.’

Jacqui Wiley
12/5/2023 07:11:36 am

I can feel the emotion

Allison Symes link
12/5/2023 09:59:45 am

Thanks, Jacqui.

Rashna Tessa Walton
12/5/2023 09:33:55 am

Well done Belinda, even though it must've hurt.

Allison Symes link
12/5/2023 10:00:20 am

Thanks, Rashna. It would've done! Suspect her mother would be proud though.

Paul Freeman link
12/5/2023 12:20:18 pm

Tough dilemma - but a learning curve, too.

Allison Symes link
12/5/2023 03:31:24 pm

Many thanks, Paul. The genie probably learned something too!

Sandra James
12/5/2023 12:29:56 pm

I hope the genie has another trick hidden in his lamp, one to bring awareness to Maisy.
As hard as it must have been, Belinda made the right choice. Both my parents have dementia - it's never easy and Belinda certainly didn't need nasty comments. Well done, Allison 💛

Allison Symes link
12/5/2023 03:32:48 pm

Many thanks, Sandra, and sympathies. I lost both of my parents to dementia and nasty comments aren't needed anyway. Life is too short etc.(If I was that genie, I would tell Maisy what Belinda had done and why too but that's another story!).

Mimi Grouse
13/5/2023 06:56:19 am

Thought-provoking.
Nice one, Allison.

Allison Symes link
13/5/2023 08:10:35 pm

Many thanks, Mimi. Just what would you do for someone else is a fabulous theme to write to.

Pamela Kennedy
13/5/2023 01:36:09 pm

It was, in a backhanded way, an act done for a noble cause. Belinda's future will be rewarded many times over.

Allison Symes link
13/5/2023 08:11:18 pm

Thanks, Pamela. I would hope that at the least Maisy would see the light and be more reasonable.

Sue Clayton
14/5/2023 06:24:09 am

How about a wish for dementia to become an illness of the past, along with cancer, heart disease etc.

Allison Symes link
16/5/2023 10:04:27 am

Great wish, Sue. I'd grant it in a flash if I could.


Comments are closed.

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