Less Than Perfect

A Short Story

After years of emotional abuse, Patricia has learned to accept herself and live her life the way she wants. Her sister Linda is not happy about that, relentlessly pointing out her faults and mistakes. Patricia could have shut her up by revealing a secret she’s been keeping for many years, one that would put a big question mark on Linda’s perfect marriage… But the secret is too devastating.

Less Than Perfect is a part of the Mothers, Sisters, Husbands, Secrets series of short stories. The stories are unrelated and can be read out of order.

A Relatable story or Moment to Reflect

Less Than Perfect shows the pitfalls of family relationships, especially when abuse has taken place. Meany will relate to Patricia’s story. If they do not relate, they would be wise to consider how they might be too much like Linda.

Patricia is the main character who is learning to live with healthy boundaries and expectations of herself and others. Patricia grew up in a home where her mother’s critical and judgmental attitudes created a harmful environment. What her family would describe as high standards were actually unrealistic expectations. After years of this emotional abuse, Patricia has learned to accept herself and set healthier boundaries.

Many will relate to Patricia’s pursuit of mental health and the journey of learning to set boundaries while still in contact with those family-obligated connections that would otherwise be left behind.