A Case of Identity: Shame the Devil

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

Title: A Case of Identity: Shame the Devil
Author: gardnerhill                        
Word Count: 60                     
Rating: G
Warning: None.
Summary: Watson is not afraid of tiger cubs nor deluded women.
Author’s Note: This is a 60-word retelling of a longer story of mine (from Mary Sutherland’s POV), Tigress.

***

Holmes examined the livid red hand-print on Watson’s cheek. “You told her. I warned you what would happen.”

“And you were wrong.”

Arched eyebrows.

“Holmes, Mary Sutherland slapped me because she believed me – her broken heart demanding shared pain in that first moment.”

“And now?”

“She accepted Mrs. Hudson’s boarding-house recommendation. Mary will flee her unspeakable family within the fortnight.”

Comments

[debriswoman]

Yes...precisely what should have followed.

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

I remember your original. Yes, she should have been told because she would have coped.

[okapi1895.livejournal.com]

Yes, we all want a different ending for Mary. A shock, but she should be told.

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

I love Watson's strength of character in this. Miss Sutherland's distress doesn't truly excuse her hitting him but I admire Watson for being prepared and willing to weather any manifestation of that distress. Because telling her the truth is the right thing to do, no matter how unpleasant it's going to be for both of them at first.

I've just read the original and I loved that too ^__^ Miss Sutherland's reactions and emotions felt so true to life.

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

Women are hella stronger than most men know. You don't leave someone with a financial vampire just because the truth might hurt her delicate sensibilities.

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

Right. Most men have little respect for how strong most women actually are. (Fortunately, Watson is not one of those men!)

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

If you leave someone in a perilous situation - financial or otherwise - just because you think their entire gender is a pack of irrational idiots who cling to delusions? That says a lot worse things about YOU than that person.

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

Fortunately Holmes seems to have gotten a clue by the time ILLU happens - he ignores Women's Delusions to do his best to save Violet de Merville from her situation.

[mafief.livejournal.com]

I like this fix as well.

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

Thanks. So do I. Better a broken heart than a broken heart coupled with emotional and financial abuse.