Contest #142 shortlist ⭐️

Looking for Mr. Darcy

Submitted into Contest #142 in response to: Write a story that includes one character reading aloud to another.... view prompt

59 comments

Drama Fiction Romance

Every Sunday, I’m allowed to read a chapter from Jane Eyre.


That’s a special treat for me since every other day it’s another Jane that commandeers the hour. My mother has good days and bad days. She has days where she can’t recognize me and days where she can’t recognize herself. Her life exists in that spot at the tip of your tongue where words and phrases go missing. Her life is made up of sterile smells and muted colors. She’s placed everyday in a chair facing a window that looks out on a man-made lake surrounded by a walking path and native plants like Eastern Blue Star and Carolina Lupine.


I hear rumors when I check in at the front desk that the man-made lake is drying up and the corporation that owns the place refuses to do anything about it. The place is called Lakeside View. What will they call it if there’s no lake?


None of this should concern my mother. The lake may not last long, but it’ll certainly outlive her. Her bad days have begun multiplying. One Sunday she sees the copy of Jane Eyre under my arm and becomes agitated almost instantly. I ask the nurse to run to the makeshift library on the other side of the locked doors where residents who have nothing but good days are allowed to roam. I tell her to see if somebody’s donated a copy of Pride & Prejudice. I tell her my mother is looking for Mr. Darcy. She comes back with Persuasion. My mother is still agitated, but she quiets down as I begin.


Sir Walter Elliot, of Kellynch Hall, in Somersetshire, was a man who,

for his own amusement, never took up any book but the Baronetage


I never knew what a Baronetage is and I have no desire to find out. When I was younger, my mother would spend every night perched at the edge of my bed reading to me from Austen. Depending on the sort of day I’d had, she would make a thoughtful selection. Chaotic days needed Sense & Sensibility. Frivolous days required Emma. If the two of us had fought the way mothers and daughters often do, then I would get a chapter from Northanger Abbey.


When we had good days, and we had many good days, it was Pride & Prejudice.


Never a favorite of mine, to my mother, this book was the Bible. You could open it up to any page and find a lesson to be learned. Nearly every lesson she was searching for revolved around love and the courage to welcome it into your life when the opportunity presented itself. My mother saw a lot of herself in the novel’s heroine, Lizzie Bennet. She came from a family of nine--her parents, herself, and six sisters. (She would often remark that Lizzie got off easy.) There was no money, and when my mother met my father she was working at a gas station in a dodgy part of town. He had noticed her sitting behind him in AP Chemistry, and before he knew it, his beaker was overflowing. That afternoon, he drove his new car right up to Pump #4 and asked her if she’d like to go for a drive.


My father was not a man with a pleasant disposition, but underneath his chilly exterior was a great deal of kindness. He proposed to her on graduation night, and despite protestations from his family that the Gas Station Girl would empty his pockets and ruin his good name, they were married that September in Beck’s Orchard, which was purchased the following year and turned into a golf course.


Shortly after my arrival, my father developed a cough. The cough lingered for a year before he got it checked out, and by then, there was nothing to be done. My knowledge of his illness is spotted due to my mother’s insistence that talking about it would dredge up too many bad memories. Instead, she would read me Pride & Prejudice each night and then tell me one thing about my father that she loved. His inability to tie a proper tie, his eyebrows, the way he had to dissect a good joke to find out what made it so funny. She called him “Chicago” because that was where he wanted them to move once they had enough money in the bank and he called her “Swiss” because she wanted to travel overseas and live like the Von Trapps did before the Nazis showed up. When he passed away, his mother attended the funeral and offered to pay for everything provided she could have regular visits with me every week. My mother agreed to the visits, but not the money. She had her pride.


Luckily for her (and me), the law has no regard for pride. My father was an only child, just like me, and when both his parents passed away, a respectable amount of money was put in a trust that I never touched. It was meant to be for college, but I enrolled in a state school where I received a full scholarship to study Gothic literature. That meant the money was still there years later when my mother fell in her kitchen and it was suggested that she be put somewhere with more supervision. The savings account has been dented considerably by her time spent in Lakeside View, but there’s enough there so that I don’t have to worry about taking on a second job just yet. As it is, my manager at the Cloverleaf Pub is already giving me as many shifts as he can. He also pretends not to notice when I write short poems on the back of napkins in between taking drink orders. When I visit my mother, I’ll read her some of these poems, and she sits quietly, but doesn’t react. It isn’t until I open Pride & Prejudice that I get to see some of that personality I remember reignite.


The fourth or fifth time we finished the book, she grabbed my hand as I was approaching the final words. I thought she might be scared of what would happen this time. Would the ending of the novel bring about another kind of ending? Would I stop coming to visit her? Would I become like so many of the other children who show up only on holidays and sometimes skip those as well? Would she go even further back into her own mind where only the bad days live? Not the good days when my father would drive her around town in the car he was allowed to keep, her belly out to the dashboard, him calling her “Swiss” and Bon Jovi on the radio. My mother took my hand and when I saw that she was trying to speak, I leaned forward so she wouldn’t have to strain to be heard.


“…and they were both ever sensible of the warmest gratitude towards the persons who, by bringing her into Derbyshire, had been the means of uniting them.”


She remembered.


She remembered how it all was supposed to end.

April 22, 2022 19:15

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59 comments

Chris Obinna
18:36 Apr 03, 2023

There's the silence, the calm that follows at the end of this read, a mixture of sadness and peace. This is a beautiful story Kevin.

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Story Time
20:17 Apr 03, 2023

Thank you so much, Chris.

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Wally Schmidt
00:48 Dec 31, 2022

This story made me nostalgic for my late mother-in-law who had Alzheimer's and how she would drift in and out of recognition for people, and places, and events. We would spend long hours looking out the window commenting on the city streets below-something we both enjoyed whether it was a day she recognized me or not. One day, she asked me where I lived and when I told her, she perked up and she said, "My son lives there! Maybe you know him?" When I admitted that I did, she said, "I think you'd like him". "I do," I said. "In fact I liked him...

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Story Time
00:59 Dec 31, 2022

Thank you so much, Wally. That means the world.

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Rebecca Miles
21:07 May 13, 2022

This is just the story I wanted to read after binge listening to the Audible Unlimited Austen collection; your title just leaped out at me (I am definitely one of the many thousands who would love to look for Mr Darcy- preferably coming dripping from his Pemberley pond!) After the title what moved me were the beautiful flashbacks which captured so poignantly the narrator's relationship with his mum and the poignancy of it all teetering on the edge. If your prose is this good, I'd love to read your plays!

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Story Time
22:34 May 13, 2022

Thank you I'm still getting used to prose, but I've enjoyed the transition a lot.

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Sarah Jade
13:34 May 31, 2022

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13:58 May 05, 2022

this is a good story

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Story Time
01:00 Dec 31, 2022

Thank you, Carter.

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Laura Eliz
20:48 May 04, 2022

Heartbreaking but such a good story.

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Story Time
21:13 May 04, 2022

Thank you so much, Laura.

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13:59 May 05, 2022

is this the only story you made

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Story Time
16:03 May 05, 2022

Hi Carter, if you click on my name, it'll bring up other stories I've written.

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Sarah Jade
13:34 May 31, 2022

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James Grasham
19:42 Apr 29, 2022

Kevin - absolutely brilliant, and the shortlist was deserved for this! My nan suffered with dementia in her later life and it brought back a few memories for me. P.S. as a massive fantasy nerd I've never actually read any Jane Austen. I feel REALLY bad for admitting that on a platform like Reedsy!

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Story Time
20:01 Apr 29, 2022

Don't feel bad! I've read barely any of it.

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Sarah Jade
13:34 May 31, 2022

IS NO LONGER NEWS THAT DR OGAH IS THE BEST SPELL CASTER OF THE YEAR. i have work hard and tried everything i could to get my lover back but nothing works out for me to get him back, till i came across a great man profile called Dr. OGAH, a love spell caster that helped me get my lover back to me wethin the period of 2days i want to say with his great power he has save so many lifes and relationship he was the only man i contacted and his love spell really brought my ex back for in case you need his help for your relationship to be restored y...

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Ron Davidson
18:25 Apr 29, 2022

Great story telling Kevin! Congrats on the Shortlist! -Ron

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Story Time
18:48 Apr 29, 2022

Thank you Ron!

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Sarah Jade
13:34 May 31, 2022

IS NO LONGER NEWS THAT DR OGAH IS THE BEST SPELL CASTER OF THE YEAR. i have work hard and tried everything i could to get my lover back but nothing works out for me to get him back, till i came across a great man profile called Dr. OGAH, a love spell caster that helped me get my lover back to me wethin the period of 2days i want to say with his great power he has save so many lifes and relationship he was the only man i contacted and his love spell really brought my ex back for in case you need his help for your relationship to be restored y...

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12:34 Apr 28, 2022

Such a sweet, lovely story! I really enjoyed this!

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Story Time
16:04 Apr 28, 2022

Thank you so much, Julia.

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Sarah Jade
13:35 May 31, 2022

IS NO LONGER NEWS THAT DR OGAH IS THE BEST SPELL CASTER OF THE YEAR. i have work hard and tried everything i could to get my lover back but nothing works out for me to get him back, till i came across a great man profile called Dr. OGAH, a love spell caster that helped me get my lover back to me wethin the period of 2days i want to say with his great power he has save so many lifes and relationship he was the only man i contacted and his love spell really brought my ex back for in case you need his help for your relationship to be restored y...

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Chris Morris
05:24 Apr 28, 2022

Very beautifully written, puts you right in the main character's life. I feel a sadness in the words of your story, but only because of how well it's put together. Brilliant writing, well done.

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Story Time
16:04 Apr 28, 2022

Thank you, Chris. I appreciate it.

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Chris Morris
14:50 Apr 29, 2022

That's three weeks in a row Reedsy have given me a shortlisted story in the Critique Circle! Well done, obviously well deserved.

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Story Time
15:58 Apr 29, 2022

Thank you, Chris!

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Sarah Jade
13:35 May 31, 2022

IS NO LONGER NEWS THAT DR OGAH IS THE BEST SPELL CASTER OF THE YEAR. i have work hard and tried everything i could to get my lover back but nothing works out for me to get him back, till i came across a great man profile called Dr. OGAH, a love spell caster that helped me get my lover back to me wethin the period of 2days i want to say with his great power he has save so many lifes and relationship he was the only man i contacted and his love spell really brought my ex back for in case you need his help for your relationship to be restored y...

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00:11 Apr 27, 2022

Having read most the novels you referenced, I am a HUGE fan of this piece. The parallels you draw are just so beautiful. Well done 👏👏👏

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Story Time
16:04 Apr 27, 2022

Thank you so much, Hannah!

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Sarah Jade
13:35 May 31, 2022

IS NO LONGER NEWS THAT DR OGAH IS THE BEST SPELL CASTER OF THE YEAR. i have work hard and tried everything i could to get my lover back but nothing works out for me to get him back, till i came across a great man profile called Dr. OGAH, a love spell caster that helped me get my lover back to me wethin the period of 2days i want to say with his great power he has save so many lifes and relationship he was the only man i contacted and his love spell really brought my ex back for in case you need his help for your relationship to be restored y...

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Gladys Morales
18:36 Apr 26, 2022

I love this!

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Story Time
19:17 Apr 26, 2022

Thank you, Gladys.

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Sarah Jade
13:35 May 31, 2022

IS NO LONGER NEWS THAT DR OGAH IS THE BEST SPELL CASTER OF THE YEAR. i have work hard and tried everything i could to get my lover back but nothing works out for me to get him back, till i came across a great man profile called Dr. OGAH, a love spell caster that helped me get my lover back to me wethin the period of 2days i want to say with his great power he has save so many lifes and relationship he was the only man i contacted and his love spell really brought my ex back for in case you need his help for your relationship to be restored y...

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Kelsey H
11:00 Apr 25, 2022

Lovely story of a mother/daughter relationship. I enjoyed how the story of the parents relationship is told by the daughter.

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Story Time
16:16 Apr 25, 2022

Thank you so much.

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Sarah Jade
13:35 May 31, 2022

IS NO LONGER NEWS THAT DR OGAH IS THE BEST SPELL CASTER OF THE YEAR. i have work hard and tried everything i could to get my lover back but nothing works out for me to get him back, till i came across a great man profile called Dr. OGAH, a love spell caster that helped me get my lover back to me wethin the period of 2days i want to say with his great power he has save so many lifes and relationship he was the only man i contacted and his love spell really brought my ex back for in case you need his help for your relationship to be restored y...

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Shea West
16:00 Apr 24, 2022

Admitting a crime, I've never read Austen🙈 But I do enjoy the PBS versions of them😂. This was a darling story, and I loved the romanticism in it. This line was my favorite: She called him “Chicago” because that was where he wanted them to move once they had enough money in the bank and he called her “Swiss” because she wanted to travel overseas and live like the Von Trapps did before the Nazis showed up.

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Story Time
22:02 Apr 24, 2022

Aw thank you my friend <3

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Shea West
15:41 Apr 29, 2022

Way to go KB. Pretty soon we'll need to scroll when we go to your profile as your accolades will be so long!

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Story Time
15:58 Apr 29, 2022

Wait until you see my "Mansfield Park" story! Haha

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Sarah Jade
13:35 May 31, 2022

IS NO LONGER NEWS THAT DR OGAH IS THE BEST SPELL CASTER OF THE YEAR. i have work hard and tried everything i could to get my lover back but nothing works out for me to get him back, till i came across a great man profile called Dr. OGAH, a love spell caster that helped me get my lover back to me wethin the period of 2days i want to say with his great power he has save so many lifes and relationship he was the only man i contacted and his love spell really brought my ex back for in case you need his help for your relationship to be restored y...

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Jay McKenzie
10:31 Apr 24, 2022

Hi Kevin. What a beautiful, tender story. I particularly love the way you close this. Really, really lovely.

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Story Time
22:02 Apr 24, 2022

Thank you <3

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Sarah Jade
13:35 May 31, 2022

IS NO LONGER NEWS THAT DR OGAH IS THE BEST SPELL CASTER OF THE YEAR. i have work hard and tried everything i could to get my lover back but nothing works out for me to get him back, till i came across a great man profile called Dr. OGAH, a love spell caster that helped me get my lover back to me wethin the period of 2days i want to say with his great power he has save so many lifes and relationship he was the only man i contacted and his love spell really brought my ex back for in case you need his help for your relationship to be restored y...

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Suma Jayachandar
03:48 Apr 23, 2022

Growing up, I loved reading Austen, later I questioned the sensibilities portrayed in them and now I accept them as something suitable for good days or bad days. Kevin, your mastery over prose is a given, but what struck me in this piece is the depth of characterisation you have achieved, and with so much tenderness. Thanks for sharing this.

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Story Time
01:20 Apr 24, 2022

Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.

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Sarah Jade
13:36 May 31, 2022

IS NO LONGER NEWS THAT DR OGAH IS THE BEST SPELL CASTER OF THE YEAR. i have work hard and tried everything i could to get my lover back but nothing works out for me to get him back, till i came across a great man profile called Dr. OGAH, a love spell caster that helped me get my lover back to me wethin the period of 2days i want to say with his great power he has save so many lifes and relationship he was the only man i contacted and his love spell really brought my ex back for in case you need his help for your relationship to be restored y...

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02:33 Apr 23, 2022

Kevin, I loved this story. My favourite part was at the beginning, when you describe the mother's dementia in such a beautiful way. It's totally congruent with my own experiences of dementia. There are so few words in this but they convey so much character and life. Bravo. :)

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Story Time
01:20 Apr 24, 2022

Thank you so much.

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Sarah Jade
13:36 May 31, 2022

IS NO LONGER NEWS THAT DR OGAH IS THE BEST SPELL CASTER OF THE YEAR. i have work hard and tried everything i could to get my lover back but nothing works out for me to get him back, till i came across a great man profile called Dr. OGAH, a love spell caster that helped me get my lover back to me wethin the period of 2days i want to say with his great power he has save so many lifes and relationship he was the only man i contacted and his love spell really brought my ex back for in case you need his help for your relationship to be restored y...

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Riel Rosehill
21:24 Apr 22, 2022

Hi Kevin, This was great! (Small edit to catch before the deadline, sorry to start with this: "That meant the money was still there years later when my father fell in her kitchen" -- you meant "mother", right? Ignore me if I'm just being stupid) Loved how we got the story of their life within the short visit to Lakeside, and I absolutely LOVED the last sentence with its two meanings... She remembered HOW it all was supposed to end & She remembered how it all WAS supposed to end. Just had to point out that I think this was brilliant and I ...

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Story Time
21:30 Apr 22, 2022

Good catch thank you!!!!

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Sarah Jade
13:36 May 31, 2022

IS NO LONGER NEWS THAT DR OGAH IS THE BEST SPELL CASTER OF THE YEAR. i have work hard and tried everything i could to get my lover back but nothing works out for me to get him back, till i came across a great man profile called Dr. OGAH, a love spell caster that helped me get my lover back to me wethin the period of 2days i want to say with his great power he has save so many lifes and relationship he was the only man i contacted and his love spell really brought my ex back for in case you need his help for your relationship to be restored y...

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Gillian Juex1
03:03 Jan 20, 2023

I went to bring my boyfriend a stocking stuffer for the holidays as a token of our love for one another, but to my surprise, he had already received a gift from another lady, which he had worn and posted about on Facebook. I was inconsolable. We got into a quarrel and separated. I didn't give the stocking stuffer to anyone else; I just kept it in my room. I wept myself to sleep all day and all night. I was unable to let go. So I made the decision to see a spellcaster. I'm delighted I discovered Dr. Maway, who I initially saw on https://www.d...

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Gillian Juex1
03:02 Jan 20, 2023

I went to bring my boyfriend a stocking stuffer for the holidays as a token of our love for one another, but to my surprise, he had already received a gift from another lady, which he had worn and posted about on Facebook. I was inconsolable. We got into a quarrel and separated. I didn't give the stocking stuffer to anyone else; I just kept it in my room. I wept myself to sleep all day and all night. I was unable to let go. So I made the decision to see a spellcaster. I'm delighted I discovered Dr. Maway, who I initially saw on https://www.d...

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Paul Wilhite
13:53 May 15, 2022

My Mom was also in such a place and this was the most difficult time for me. I'm glad you shared this story. Well done and thought-provoking.

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Story Time
21:20 May 15, 2022

Thank you, Paul.

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Sarah Jade
13:36 May 31, 2022

IS NO LONGER NEWS THAT DR OGAH IS THE BEST SPELL CASTER OF THE YEAR. i have work hard and tried everything i could to get my lover back but nothing works out for me to get him back, till i came across a great man profile called Dr. OGAH, a love spell caster that helped me get my lover back to me wethin the period of 2days i want to say with his great power he has save so many lifes and relationship he was the only man i contacted and his love spell really brought my ex back for in case you need his help for your relationship to be restored y...

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