IAIN KELLY

NEMESIS

I stared at my nemesis.

Last night I had thrown the chair into the lake, shouting ‘good riddance’ as I heaved it as far as I could. I heard the splash in the dark.

Overnight the lake had frozen.

This morning there it was, sitting upright. Waiting for me.

Mum saw me looking out the window.

‘Did you put the chair out there?’

I nodded. Mum shook her head.

‘Then I think you should go and sit on the chair again. One day you will learn how to behave. Best wrap up.’

I swear the chair was grinning at me.

mystery-chair-ted-strutz
Ted Strutz

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

88 responses to “NEMESIS”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    Mum is a disciplinarian of the old school. But at least she made him wrap up warm

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Tough love I think they call it? Thanks Neil.

      Like

      Reply
  2. Jessie Ansons Avatar
    Jessie Ansons

    Haha, such a funny piece. That chair does seem to be smirking, now I come to think about it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Jessie 😉

      Like

      Reply
  3. David K Avatar
    David K

    Intriguing piece, Iain. Nice hook with the first line. Additionally, the starting ‘nemesis’ and suggestion of ‘grinning’ at the end lends the piece a somewhat insidious and malevolent feel. Nicely done!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks David – an insidious and malevolent chair – I like that 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Iain,

    I suppose if you have to sit on a chair for punishment, that beats sitting in a corner. Nicely done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Probably quite a nice view to look at while sitting out in th open there too! Thanks Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. joyroses13 Avatar
    joyroses13

    Great piece! Love the Mum. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Joy 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. J Hardy Carroll Avatar
    J Hardy Carroll

    Love this. Putts me in mind of Monty Python. “Oh, but you can’t expect to wield supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at you! “

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. shehannemoore Avatar
    shehannemoore

    Lol. Brilliant ending again

    Like

    Reply
  8. Dina Avatar
    Dina

    Great work, Iain! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Dina, much appreciated ! 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  9. Chris C. Avatar
    Chris C.

    A cruel and unusual punishment! At least he’s warm – and the chair had the last laugh.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      He’s got to learn somehow! Thanks Chris

      Like

      Reply
  10. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    The chair has the final word. I like that.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      The chair wins this round – I think there will be more to come. Thanks Sandra

      Like

      Reply
  11. jellico84 Avatar
    jellico84

    Oh, how cruel fate is. Good writing this morning! 🙂 ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  12. Jane Dougherty Avatar
    Jane Dougherty

    That chair sounds evil.

    Like

    Reply
  13. nonsmokingladybug Avatar
    nonsmokingladybug

    I know for a fact that furniture can make faces. I restore old furniture and some of them laugh at me. Great take on the prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I hope they laugh in a non-threatening way 🙂 Many thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. granonine Avatar
    granonine

    Now THAT is a determined mother!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. Morgan Avatar
    Morgan

    Marvelous, Iain ! Love that last line!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Morgan, much appreciated 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  16. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    I loved the idea of the chair ‘smirking’.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Mike 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  17. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

    Indeed we usually have to live by our deeds – mum taught him well.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Michael

      Like

      Reply
  18. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    So much fun and we both used the chair as punishment! Not quite in the same way… 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I have to read yours now!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. Liz Husebye Hartmann Avatar
    Liz Husebye Hartmann

    That had to’ve been the worst Time-out ever! Brrrrrr!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      A good chance to ‘cool down’ 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  20. Lynn Love Avatar
    Lynn Love

    Why did he hate that chair so much? Mind, they’re not very comfortable, those things. Love how you give the chair personality – it almost looks smug now you’ve mentioned it 🙂 Love the tale Iain

    Like

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Lynn. I think he was just fed up of being told to go and sit on the chair by his mum! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Lynn Love Avatar
        Lynn Love

        Haha! I’m sure you’re right – quite understandable.

        Liked by 1 person

  21. Michael Wynn Avatar
    Michael Wynn

    That’ll teach him.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Lesson learned.

      Like

      Reply
  22. Clare Hempstead Avatar
    Clare Hempstead

    I can see it smiling, definitely! I wonder what he will do it next and how it will inevitably have the upper hand again!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I think a saw or an axe would certainly in handy next time! Thanks Clare

      Like

      Reply
  23. Life Lessons of a Dog Lover Avatar
    Life Lessons of a Dog Lover

    I’m rooting for the mom. He is reaping what he sowed. Great take on the prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      He will learn. Thanks very much.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  24. wmqcolby Avatar
    wmqcolby

    I never understood what sitting in the corner ver did for me, other than the fact it was an unpleasant experience.

    Super story, Iain. Well-structured and perfectly ended.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Sitting out in the open should be nice, so long as the ice is thick enough. Thank you.

      Like

      Reply
  25. Siobhan McNamara Avatar
    Siobhan McNamara

    Ah the poor boy. There’s just no getting away from that chair! It was funny but with a nice layer of the dark side in there too. I have a friend who was convinced a piece of furniture she inherited was possessed by an evil force. After one too many debates about how it could be exorcised, I suggested she just sell it. She took my advice and as far as I know, it never tried to come back – but who knows, it could be lurking out there somewhere, biding its time …. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Scary furniture! Hopefully it won’t return, and hasn’t caused any trouble for whoever she sold it too! Thanks Siobhan 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  26. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar
    Alicia Jamtaas

    Ha! This is funny. Good old mom, poor kid! At least she told him to wrap up before heading out.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Alicia. It shows she cares for him, even when giving him his punishment.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar
        Alicia Jamtaas

        It surely does. Reminds me of my mom. Lots of love wrapped around every punishment.

        Liked by 1 person

  27. beautyswot Avatar
    beautyswot

    he he, fab! I think I see the smirk too…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Many thanks 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  28. plaridel Avatar
    plaridel

    this reminds me of the good old days. when somebody in the class misbehaved, the teacher told him to sit on the thinking chair. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Exactly that, only an extreme version!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  29. draliman Avatar
    draliman

    The punishment fits the crime!

    Like

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Indeed! Thanks

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  30. Liz Young Avatar
    Liz Young

    Ye gods – what a mother – what if you fell through the ice?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Then he would really have learned his lesson! 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  31. rgayer55 Avatar
    rgayer55

    You have to admire a chair that lands on its feet. I guess this make you the Chairman, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I suppose it does 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  32. writelindy Avatar
    writelindy

    You’ve given me a story that I can relate to as it shows so many emotions. Love this.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Lindy, very kind.

      Like

      Reply
  33. yarnspinnerr Avatar
    yarnspinnerr

    🙂 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  34. Sarah "SacaKat" Fairbairn Avatar
    Sarah “SacaKat” Fairbairn

    I’m picturing a naughty little boy in head. Lovely story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Sarah. A cheeky boy I think, rather than too naughty! He’ll learn 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  35. Laurie Bell Avatar
    Laurie Bell

    Oh dear. Karma or just desserts! 😊 a fun piece Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      A bit of both. Thanks Laurie 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  36. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar
    Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    A conspiracy between chair and mom… better behave, and don’t eat and talk at the same time.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I hadn’t thought of it as a conspiracy, that makes it a much darker piece! Thanks Bjorn 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  37. tedstrutz Avatar
    tedstrutz

    best wrap up… love it… good story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Ted, good picture.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  38. Fatima Fakier Deria Avatar
    Fatima Fakier Deria

    Good old tough love parenting.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It has to be done sometimes! Thanks for reading 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  39. Sarah Potter Writes Avatar
    Sarah Potter Writes

    Well, that’s one step on from sending your child to sit at the bottom of the stairs without his or her toys, which was how I punished my children. It’s called “timeout” in behaviour therapy, which is better than a shouting match. The theory is that you give them positive reinforcement with plenty of attention/praise/rewards when they’re behaving but ignore them when they’re being naughty. Personally, I think that was quite a reasonable punishment, provided there was a time-limit on it and steaming drink of hot chocolate waiting for him after he’d sat quietly for half-an-hour.
    You made me laugh, as usual 😀

    Like

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Sarah. We try that theory with our 2 but it fails because they love sitting on the stairs and are soon making games up there. Which is what they would do with a chair on ice as well! Thanks for the feedback, always appreciated 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  40. Rachel Bjerke Avatar
    Rachel Bjerke

    If I had to be punished by sitting in a chair, I wouldn’t mind sitting in that one with that view and fresh air!

    Good story, nicely written 🙂

    -Rachel

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I think it might be quite nice and calming 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  41. mandibelle16 Avatar
    mandibelle16

    Very funny. A worse place to be punished inside then on the chair inside.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Mandi 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  42. Tamal Avatar
    Tamal

    Is that Calvin? It sounds like something Calvin would do. The Nemesis Chair 🙂 Nice piece.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Tamal 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  43. justjoyfulness Avatar
    justjoyfulness

    Maybe he threw the chair in the lake on purpose. So that he could go sit on the lake 🙂 Very well written!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      That’s true, I like that – a better view when he gets in trouble, smart kid 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  44. patrickprinsloo Avatar
    patrickprinsloo

    Some battles you can’t win.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. swarmsandbee Avatar
      swarmsandbee

      I heard it going mwahahhaahaha too. Loved it Iain.

      Like

      Reply
      1. Iain Kelly Avatar
        Iain Kelly

        🙂 Many thanks

        Like

  45. The Mom Who Runs Avatar
    The Mom Who Runs

    Hi, Iain! A great take on the prompt. You packed a lot into so few words. Great imagery and yikes! Beware of Mom!
    🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, glad you liked it 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  46. lingeringvisions by Dawn Avatar
    lingeringvisions by Dawn

    As my son would say “You can’t let it beat you.”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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