I Have A Real Family
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#1: I Have A Real Family Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 6:32 pm


There has been quite a bit of discussion about the comment by Joey, in Joey Goes to the Oberland The relevant passage is quoted below for those who may not remember it. This is what I wish Simone had said, but fitting it in with the original, so hopefully allowing the story to continue on afterwards.

Quote:
“Nine months old,” his mother said proudly. “He weighs – one moment – twenty-one pounds. And look at his curls and his lashes!”

Jo nodded. “Firm as a rock, too. I’m awfully glad you have him, Simone. I know it's always been a grief to you that you had only Tessa when the rest of us were steaming ahead with real families! Let’s hope,” she went on cheerfully as they turned and went back to her own room, “that’s the beginning of yours. You may have five more if you want ‘em. Then you’ve got to stop. If you don’t,” she added warningly, “I shall go on and see about those quads I promised the staff of the Chalet School last term.”

It was just as well they were back in Jo’s room and Simone had shut the door, for she first stared wide-eyed at Jo and then went off into shrieks of laughter at this awful pronouncement.



But Simone did not laugh. Tears came to her eyes but the years at school and the intervening years of marriage had helped to forge a strong woman of her and she was able to control her temper in her reply to Joey’s words.
‘I have a real family Joey.’ She spoke more quietly than usual and Joey, who was washing herself in preparation for bed, did not hear her friends words.
Simone paused for a few seconds and then repeated the words, a little louder this time. Joey looked up and across the room, a smile on her face.
‘Sorry, Simone, what was that?’
‘I said I have a REAL family.’ Frustrated at having to repeat herself again, Simone had spoken loudly, almost shouted those words, and had rolled her ‘r’s’ with emphasis. ‘Why would I want another five children?’ she continued. Tessa and Pierre, they are the most precious things to me alongside André. Even more so with the difficulties we had.’
Simone stumbled over the pronouncement of this revelation. Even now, with the arrival of Pierre, it was difficult to remember those years without the recollection of the pain and frustration.
Joey started at her words, unable to move, until she said in a rush. ‘Oh, Simone. Oh darling. Why didn’t you say something before? I’m so, so sorry, I never realised.’
‘No, you didn’t’, Simone found it hard to keep the bitterness from her voice. ‘How many times did I have to listen to you - you gloating about the size of your family? Bragging about it being the largest in your family and amongst your friends, without seemingly a thought for how we might feel. Then you come here, to my home, and make me feel - feel inadequate as a mother because I do not have an army of children to parade before you. Do you realise how thankful I am that Tessa was asleep and so unable to hear your words. Did you stop to think how she might feel if she heard you saying we were not a family. André and I, we try our best to provide her and Pierre with love, support, comfort, friendship, advice and a sense of belonging. How is that not a family?’
Simone stopped, slightly out of breath after her words. She was calming down now and was beginning to feel a sense of shame that she had given into her feelings and spoken her thoughts. But no, she spoke to herself firmly, they had to be, needed to be spoken.
Through all this Joey had been standing in the same position. Her hand gripping, more and more tightly the wash hand basin. The only means of support she had.
‘Simone I….’ Her voice trailed off. For once there was very little she could say. She knew she had a tendency to be tactless, she had often been so when a child but, in adulthood she felt she had controlled and conquered this problem. But she hadn’t and as a consequence she had deeply hurt her friend. A stab of panic and fear flooded through her body and she gripped the basin tighter still. There were new thoughts. Just how many other people had she hurt in the past few years from similar comments? Tears welled up in her eyes as she contemplated what she might have done.
‘Simone I, I am so very sorry…’ she could say no more but, her words, together with the attitude of her body and the pleading sadness of her eyes told her friend that she meant that she was truly sorry.
Simone spoke again, this time with more warmth in her voice. ‘Joey, chéri, you are my friend, my oldest and dearest friend. That means I feel I can be honest with you but it also means I know you would never purposely try to hurt my feelings. Just, sometimes in your enthusiasm to be kind, you perhaps say the wrong things.'
She gave Joey a friendly smile. ‘Now come on. You have had a long journey and need to rest. I will see whether your supper is ready and you must promise to eat it and sleep well!’
Turning, she left the room leaving a sombre Jo to brush out her hair and say her prayers, giving her the chance to find strength through asking God for his help and forgiveness.
On her return with the soup that formed supper, Simone found her friend in bed.
‘I am so sorry Simone’ Joey repeated again, speaking softly as she settled the tray on her lap.
‘I know, Joey,’ and bending down she gave her friend a gentle kiss. ‘Now, go to sleep!’
Joey did as she was told and it was a much better person who woke in the morning.

 


#2:  Author: Amanda MLocation: Wakefield PostPosted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 6:49 pm


That was excellent. Thank you for writing that, it makes the scene so much better, it would have been nice to see EBD write something like that, but never mind. I liked the way that Joey realised how her tactfulness had hurt many, but that her and Simone still remained friends. I imagine that Simone would have liked to have got that off her chest too.

Star Wars

 


#3:  Author: AlexLocation: Manchester PostPosted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 6:55 pm


Whenever I read that bit I always want to shout at Joey so I'm gald Simone finally has.

 


#4:  Author: claireLocation: South Wales PostPosted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 7:12 pm


Well done Simone - it's about time that someone told Jo that a family isn't just the number of children you have - it's the love there is

 


#5:  Author: LissLocation: Harrow, London PostPosted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 7:20 pm


That was wonderful, Ally! It's nice to see that sort of confrontation carried out in a canon kinda way.

 


#6:  Author: LulieLocation: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 7:33 pm


Marvellous! I'm so glad Simone has a chance to put Joey straight after all this time Wink

And it was sensitively done, thank you Ally.

 


#7:  Author: EllieLocation: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 7:36 pm


Excellent Ally, exactly what Simone should have said. Thank you.

 


#8:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 7:41 pm


Bravo, Ally, that told her!

 


#9:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:06 pm


Thank you Ally, given all the chat about this extract recently it's great to see it written in a way that is true to EBD and keeps both women in character whilst still saying what needed to be said to Joey.

 


#10:  Author: GemLocation: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:46 pm


Thank you, Ally, that was lovely!! It's about time Simone told Joey what she thought of her! Wonderfully written, as well - an excellent read.

Now, where's the other drabble? *g*

 


#11:  Author: Kathy_SLocation: midwestern US PostPosted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:50 pm


Thank you, Ally! Very, very well done, on behalf of both Simone & Joey! You've got them just right!

Last edited by Kathy_S on Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:52 pm; edited 1 time in total

 


#12:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:51 pm


Yay Simone! (and Ally, of course!)

I wonder how different a person Jo might have become had this actually happened?

um...not that any of it did actually happen, but you know what I mean!

 


#13:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 12:41 am


That was lovely Ally!! And very cleverly done too!!!
Thank you!

 


#14:  Author: keren PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 9:29 am


Can I say another "Me too"
I liked the way you kept it EBD style.
Joey has a fault that comes out, she is corrected and learns from it.
It would have been more"educational" if EBD had written this too

 


#15:  Author: NellLocation: London, England PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 11:53 am


Well done Ally, that was really well done! (All that talk about not writing! Rolling Eyes )

Gem wrote:
Now, where's the other drabble? *g*


Which other drabble would that be Gem? Wink

 


#16:  Author: KatethLocation: Essex PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 3:18 pm


*grin* That was great!

Do you know, I'd never noticed Jo's complete tactlessness there before. But good for Simone; why on earth Jo believes that the more children she has, the 'better' it makes her family, I really don't know...

 


#17:  Author: GemLocation: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 3:19 pm


Nell wrote:
Well done Ally, that was really well done! (All that talk about not writing! Rolling Eyes )

Gem wrote:
Now, where's the other drabble? *g*


Which other drabble would that be Gem? Wink


Oh, just a little drabble that I've been hearing about, Nell, you wouldn't have heard anything about it would you? Wink

 


#18:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 3:48 pm


Well said Simone! Glad this has been written at long last.

 


#19:  Author: NellLocation: London, England PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 3:53 pm


Gem wrote:
Nell wrote:
Gem wrote:
Now, where's the other drabble? *g*


Which other drabble would that be Gem? Wink


Oh, just a little drabble that I've been hearing about, Nell, you wouldn't have heard anything about it would you? Wink


Nope, I've heard nothing! Silent as the grave! Wink

 


#20:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 3:56 pm


Me neither, it's quite spooky in this graveyard though!

*Whistling innocently*


Thank you everyone for your lovely comments Very Happy Embarassed

 


#21:  Author: NellLocation: London, England PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 3:58 pm


It is indeed and a strange kind of mist seems to be rising...

 


#22:  Author: GemLocation: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 5:49 pm


Nell wrote:
Gem wrote:
Nell wrote:
Gem wrote:
Now, where's the other drabble? *g*


Which other drabble would that be Gem? Wink


Oh, just a little drabble that I've been hearing about, Nell, you wouldn't have heard anything about it would you? Wink


Nope, I've heard nothing! Silent as the grave! Wink


Nell!!! *wails*

 


#23:  Author: Helen PLocation: Cheshire PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 11:05 pm


Ally, I just caught up with this and it is lovely!

I wish that was what had really been said - I really feel for Simone every time I read that part of Oberland.

 


#24:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 3:03 pm


Gem wrote:
Nell!!! *wails*


*Pops one of Anna's cream buns into Gem's mouth to keep her quiet* Wink

 


#25:  Author: NellLocation: London, England PostPosted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 3:10 pm


Oh thanks Ally, the wailing was getting a bit much! May I have one of those too? Wink

 


#26:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 8:25 pm


Ally, that was perfect. Whenever I read that passage now I will mentally place your version in there. I think EBD would have been proud to write that.

 


#27:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 8:37 pm


That is now canon for me!

 


#28:  Author: GemLocation: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 5:38 pm


Ally wrote:
Gem wrote:
Nell!!! *wails*


*Pops one of Anna's cream buns into Gem's mouth to keep her quiet* Wink


You two both know exactly how to stop me wailing! *growls*

But thank you Ally (and Anna) - it was lovely! May I have another, please? *hopeful smiley*

 


#29:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:56 pm


Gem wrote:
May I have another, please? *hopeful smiley*


Of course! There will always be plenty whilst you need to be kept quiet Wink

 


#30:  Author: GemLocation: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 9:23 am


tongue

Glad to hear it though Wink


Last edited by Gem on Fri Sep 10, 2004 10:06 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#31:  Author: NellLocation: London, England PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 10:04 am


Feeds Gem more cakes in an effot to keep her quiet...

but just so you know things are on the move again

 


#32:  Author: GemLocation: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 10:07 am


They better be - these cakes are getting rather sickly-sweet...

ETA:... and I am now in the San, so obviously I've over-eaten!

 


#33:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 1:19 pm


Nell wrote:
but just so you know things are on the move again


But expect them to stagnate again very soon!

Gem, its probably for the best you are in the San, Anna was getting exhausted with all that baking Wink

 


#34:  Author: NellLocation: London, England PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 2:25 pm


Ally wrote:
Nell wrote:
but just so you know things are on the move again


But expect them to stagnate again very soon!

Gem, its probably for the best you are in the San, Anna was getting exhausted with all that baking Wink


Indeed...on both counts!!!

 


#35:  Author: GemLocation: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 2:28 pm


Oh well, I can be patient! Just so long as they don't stagnate for too long!

... why on earth do I have a star above my avatar? Confused

 


#36:  Author: NellLocation: London, England PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 2:32 pm


Cos you've reached 600 posts i think!!! Well done!

And have fun practicing patience!!! Wink

 


#37:  Author: JackieJLocation: Kingston upon Hull PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 9:01 pm


I have a star too, and I'm only on 200+ posts Confused

Ermmm.... to steer back on topic. This is wonderful Ally. As with many drabbles, I've not read the original bit (although read about it in Book Reviews), but this is a wonderful answer, and highlights in a way that Con does get the thinking before she speaks from Joey.

JackieJ

 




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