3173. Fish 'n chips © Bruce Goodman 12 April 2025

When Brenda’s husband passed away after a long illness there’s no denying that Brenda experienced a huge feeling of relief. He husband had taken seriously ill three years earlier and required almost constant care. Brenda had faithfully looked after him. However, even before he had taken ill he had been callous and cruel. Brenda was about to say enough is enough and then he took ill. Brenda had promised herself one thing she would do on the first evening after the funeral: she would go to the Fish ‘n Chips shop and buy herself two scoops of chips (French fries) and two pieces of deep fried battered fish. She hadn’t had fish ‘n chips for years as her husband didn’t like the smell. Fish ‘n chips stink the house out, he would say. There had been a nice gathering of people at the funeral; not a big gathering but a dozen or so people who were there mainly to support Brenda and not necessarily to mourn her husband. Then in the afternoon people popped into the house in dribs and drabs – to offer a fleeting company and to basically say to give a call if anything was needed. The evening arrived. It was time for Brenda to treat herself! She ordered by phone her two scoops of chips and two pieces of deep fried battered fish. She picked it up by car. It was all wrapped in newspaper. That was the way she liked and remembered it. This was her moment of reflection – contemplation even – of her life in recent years. That was when Janice from over the road knocked on the door. Brenda hastily put her fish and chips in the pantry. Janice wouldn’t go. She talked and talked. She wouldn’t take a hint. It was 9 pm before Janice finished her visitation of comfort. Brenda got out her fish and chips. They were cold and soggy. There’s no reviving fish ‘n chips. She put them in the trash and made herself a nice cup of tea. Contact Author Back to Index Next Story Previous Story