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They didn’t want to be late, so they took the coast road. Gemma had been clear on the need for a punctual start to the event, and her parents knew better than to turn up late for any of Gemma’s engagements. Family or not, if they were late, there would be consequences.

Watching Dean’s knuckles grip the steering wheel, Sandra wondered when this shift in the family dynamic had begun. They had always been laid back about gatherings and nights out, not too fussed if a meal was less than perfect due to a delayed guest or outside factors beyond their control. But Gemma had a “zero tolerance” policy towards tardiness. And there were no excuses that would sway her.

‘We should have said we were away for the weekend,’ Dean muttered as he navigated a bend in the road.

Sandra shook her head. ‘Gem knows our schedule. That’s why we’re invited tonight.’

‘Could have gone away on a whim.’

Sandra snorted. ‘We tried that excuse last time, remember? Nothing but the cold shoulder for weeks. It’s not worth it.’ She could hear the resignation in her voice.

‘I don’t know where it comes from.’ Dean indicated, overtaking a slow-moving sedan.

Sandra glanced at the vehicle as they sped past. A family with three kids in the back. They looked like they were singing together, and Sandra felt the tug of a smile twitch on her lips.

‘Do you remember those road trips out to your parents’ place during school holidays?’

Dean glanced at her. ‘Hours and hours of “I Spy” and “are we there yet”?’

Sandra bumped his arm gently. ‘There were some fun times. And the kids were well-behaved, mostly.’

Dean nodded. ‘That’s true. Gemma was always first in the car, giving orders as to who was to sit where.’

Sandra sighed. ‘Maybe that’s where it started. The bossiness and need for control.’

Dean indicated again, this time pulling over onto a shoulder on the left side of the road. As the car slowed to a stop, Sandra looked at her phone to check the time.

‘What’s wrong? We don’t have time to stop if we’re to get to Gemma’s by six o’clock.’

Dean turned to her. ‘It’s time to stop doing what Gemma wants.’

Sandra swallowed. ‘What do you mean?’

‘I don’t want to be doing this. Being at her beck and call. It’s not about being late this time, or last time. Something has to change, Sandra. I’m going home. You can go to Gemma’s if you’d like, but I’m not going tonight.’

‘Shall I text her? Say we’ve got a flat tyre?’

Dean shook his head. ‘Don’t lie on my account. I’ve had enough of her petty tyranny.’

Sandra gripped her hands together, feeling as though she were being pulled in two directions at once.

This is the first of three prompts at a writing group session. Occasionally, we see if we can create a story using the same characters over a couple of prompts. As the prompts are random, this can be a challenge as the story shifts in different directions.

Photo: coastal views