She closed her eyes, lifted her face to the sun and smiled. Breathing in deep, she whispered, “No place like home.”
“Sure you wanna walk from here in this weather?”
“I’ve been gone for too long,” she said, taking a bill from her purse and passing it to the cab driver, “so I wouldn’t dream of passing up the opportunity.”
He rolled up the window and drove off as she turned back to the dirt lane ribboning its way off into the distance. The sweet fragrance of wild flowers in bloom tickled her nose, just like when she was a little girl. She giggled at the bright sheen of sweat on her skin thanks to the midday sun.
She clutched her purse to her chest, glad she decided against any other luggage. Unencumbered, she could reach the house in just over an hour even taking her time. There had been a storm the last time she walked it, so she was going to enjoy it. Skipping and humming, her first indulgence of such childish behaviour in twenty years, she set out down the long road home.
~~
He looked away from the television, surprised by the knock at the door. The dogs hadn’t barked and he hadn’t heard a car. Sighing, he glanced at the game and pushed up out of the recliner, setting his beer on the end table.
“Want me to get that?” came a woman’s voice from the kitchen.
“I got it,” he yelled as he stepped into the foyer. “Just get on with fixin’ supper.”
His drenched daughter stood dripping on the front porch. He peered around her, noting he’d been right about not hearing a car. He wasn’t sure where the dogs were, though.
“What did you do, walk up here?” He asked as she clutched her purse against her with both hands.
“Just like when I was a little girl.” She smiled, oblivious to being soaked to the skin.
“Come on in and I’ll get your mother.”
“No,” she blurted out, taking a step forward as he turned away. “Not yet. Can’t we have some special time, just the two of us, like we use to?”
He turned back, appreciating the way the fabric clung to her curves, and sneered as he looked her in the eyes. “So, ya decided ya wanted some more after all these years, did ya?”
“I just wanted to say thank you.” She dropped the bag and raised a pistol, levelling it at his face. “In the way you deserve.”
Thunder exploded as the gun fired. She let it drop, opened the shattered storm door, and stepped over the body.
She needed her mother to make everything right.
Thanks to @melissamurphy2 (Melissa Murphy) for the #storystarters prompt in bold at the beginning.
Eerie..I like how at first, I was happy for her that she was going back home and she seemed so happy, then it takes a turn for the worse. Well written!
Oh, very well told! Great twist!
Oh, poor girl… beautifully understated way of making it clear what she’s been suffering ever since. Find it very difficult to understand how a mother can be living in the household and not know what was going on – or maybe she just didn’t want to. Makes me VERY grateful for my own parents! Excellent story.
Happy she was going home, then happy he got what he deserved.
Absolutely beautiful word choices. “… the dirt lane ribboning its way off into the distance.” I loved this story, even as it twisted at the end. Perhaps especially? Nicely done. Thanks.
Take care,
Jess
Who says you can’t go home again?
Well written, and the twist is superb.
Loved it.
Absolutely chilling! Totally not what I had expected! Great piece!
Did not anticipate what would happen, though my smile at her return to her home in such nice weather diminished at the father’s sneering question.
Then it turned dark and the twist surprised.
Well played!
Bang! Exactly… nicely done, and in less than 500 words, that’s impressive!
Sometimes going back in time is a good thing. Sometimes it’s better just to leave it behind. If she had to go back, I’m glad she took care of business. Quick, to the point, just the way I like it.
Well that was a complete surprise! Very well written, super twist at the end. Really enjoyed your story!
Thanks to everyone for the wonderful comments. It’s both fun and a little surprising taking a few lines and running with them. I wasn’t sure where it was going when I started, but was shocked when I got there.
The one place I feel I may have failed was the hints I dropped at the beginning that it really wasn’t a sunny day at all, except for in her head. If no one got that, then I need to hone my skills. It works without knowing that, so for that I’m thankful.
Did not anticipate what would happen, though my smile at her return to her home in such nice weather diminished at the father’s sneering question.
Then it turned dark and the twist surprised.
Well played!
I did not anticipate the ending.it was great,one of my favorites.
The twist at the end,was great. Glad he got what he deserved.
Well done