She lived her entire life in the shadow of her father. Always referenced, yet never personally spoken about. Her talent always eclipsed by whichever show he was performing next. Never famous enough to feel influential, but too famous to move elsewhere and reinvent herself. Courted by aspiring actors desperate for any claim to fame, or a spot in the tabloids.
After her father’s death, she was merely the silhouette the media used to keep his name in the magazines. They pitied her when she also released an album, seeing it as a pale imitation of what he had done.
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This story was inspired by Carrot Ranch’s January 16, 2023, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a lady shadow. Who is this person and why do they lurk in the shadows. What is the tone and setting for your story? Go where the prompt leads!
Elderberry Tea 
Beautiful poignant story about being overshadowed by someone else’s legacy – wonderfully written, Nicole! 🙂
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Thanks, Tom 😃
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A reality for many born to famous parents
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It is. I feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t get to chose between fame and normality.
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I agree with you
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As you said, Nicole, a choice not even existing, one to allow escape from the shadow.
And I would say that these assumptions/expectations are forming a thick shadow in more ways ; example: I remember the look of my younger brother when teachers would say to him Your brother was first in class you certainly will follow his footsteps…stupid as it is shadowy 🙂
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Being in the shadow of older siblings is very much real too.
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That’s so sad, I really feel for her.
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It’s an ugly reality for so many kids. And they don’t even need to be world famous – they could also be in the shadow of a popular older sibling in high school.
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That’s so true and just as heartbreaking for the one feeling left in the shadows.
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Something many can relate to I’m sure.
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Yup, maybe not on as big a scale as a celebrity’s child, but still relatable at a local scale.
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I read this a few days after Lisa-Marie Presley’s funeral. So sad 🖤🖤
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It was indeed inspired by her – I read the prompt, didn’t know how I’d respond to it, then later that day watched a video on YouTube about her life and death, and I knew what to write about.
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And you did it very well 🖤
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