A Domestic Dispute plays with the concept of privilege, living unaware, and the dangers of being self-absorbed. Back in a university class on children's literature, the professor told us how most fairy tales and poems are actually warnings for children on how not to behave.
For example, a child might be curious about what would happen if they dropped the cat down the well, but they read a nursery rhyme that tells them doing such a thing would make them a bad person, but if they rescued an animal, they would be a good person. A couple may receive wishes, then waste them by arguing with each other.
In this story, Daniel who starts out as a totally self-absorbed twenty-something learns something the hard way, with a lot of arguing happening. No nursery rhyme or fairy tale lessons for him; he has to experience it first hand.
And we, as the reader, get to act all smug and knowing about it. We would never be so insensitive. (To be honest, I have been that unaware and worse many times in my life.)
As for the setting, well, I've been living in the Spanish Basque Country since 2007, and am fascinated by Basque myths. Basque culture in general is quite unique, but many of their myths overlap with other cultures. However, there is just enough difference to make the connections even more interesting.
Add in Basque cultural details and the beautiful city of San Sebastian, and you get the perfect setting and setup for a series of short stories (plus a novel underway).
Hope you enjoy the story A Domestic Dispute!
Interesting! Thanks, Alex! Be sure to check out "A Domestic Dispute" and the rest of the stories on November 30.
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