Wednesday 6 April 2011

Time to Tell inspired by Three Word Wednesday

The peculiar thing was that she was absolutely adamant that she didn't fabricate the story. She even led us out into her tiny garden, and with passion blazing in her rapidly blinking pale blue eyes, slowly and painfully got down on her hands and knees.

Such a frail figure, with her papery skin and her arthritic hands.

She pulled aside the long grass that had forgotten its lawn like roots, and she pointed. Drawing us closer to look at what she so desperately wanted us to see.

She was peering back at us over her fragile shoulder as she jabbed at the burnt marks etched into the earth, and again at the strange formations that radiated from them.

"Look, look, it was here that they landed."

My brother stifled his laughter, but I could see his shoulders shaking.

My mother fiddled in her handbag absentmindedly. She was uncomfortable. She always was with anything that wasn't neat and manicured. Anything that couldn't be filed away in the rational boxes in which she kept her thoughts.

Father of course was convinced that she was quite mad, and humoured her. Speaking to her slowly and gently as he would a small child. He leant over and took hold of her arm and tried to help her to her feet.

No one was listening to her and her faded eyes were full of fire.

She looked straight at me. "You know. You saw them too."

I felt my heart quicken and I could feel my pulse pounding in my ears as she yelled...

"Tell them, tell them the truth."

It would be so easy to shake my head and look away, to let them carry on believing that she was crazy. But the look in her eyes was too intense. It bore through my defenses and shattered the pretence that had kept me sane.

She was pleading with me and I couldn't let her down. I heard the sharp intake of breath, and felt the weight of the stares as everyone turned their attention to me.

I could feel my face burning, my hands were trembling.

I could no longer pretend it was just a dream.

I tried to find my voice and without any breath to drive it, it emerged in a soft whisper.

"Yes, I saw them too."


For Three Word Wednesday - (prompt words Adamant, Fabricate, Peculiar)

15 comments:

Deborah said...

I want to see 'them' too! ... just wonderfully written, I loved it! :o)

Susannah said...

Thanks Deborah. :-)

Jae Rose said...

Good for her - I imagine a grand-daughter standing up for her Gran..whether to bring comfort or if there really is something 'out there' what a tender scene..Jae :)

Susannah said...

Thanks jae. :-)

Sheilagh Lee said...

sheilagh lee said:Ilove this and what agreat granddaughter she stood up and said she saw them too.

Anonymous said...

Susannah, glad I found you at 3WW, because this was a great read for me. My mother was alcoholic and my grandma was manic depressive (so am I, the latter, that is) and I can understand the girl's push and pull. The line is so fine...

Amy Barlow Liberatore
http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/04/06/all-in-a-name-3ww-npwm-6/

Altonian said...

Oh, they are there alright. My wife has seen one of 'them' hovering over some power lines. Good story.

VL Sheridan said...

Oh, I'm glad for grandma's sake she saw them too. Great story.

Old Egg said...

And why shouldn't they be there? Why do always need a rational explanation when so many things are still unexplained. Secretly we all want to see them too. Great story.

trisha said...

this is beautifully written, very sweet and touching story. loved the ending. :)

trisha
http://sharmishthabasu.wordpress.com/2011/04/08/the-visitor-for-3ww/

Unknown said...

Compelling to read, Susannah. Smartly written. Love the final line. Here is my late contribution:
http://www.kimnelsonwrites.com/2011/04/12/goddess-creates/

Susannah said...

Thanks everyone for your comments. :-) They are much appreciated.

Anonymous said...

This piece was very polished. A clear plot, well-developed, internal conflict....and happy resolution. Entertaining and skillful. Vb

Susannah said...

Thanks very much vb, I appreciate the comment. Good to meet you. :-)

Susannah said...

Thanks Jabblog. :-)

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