Picture 2
Kimberly Gould’s Picture Choice: Two
Title: Leftovers
Jason opened the door and stumbled into the dark house. The dark, silent house. He didn’t turn on any lights, feeling his way along the wall to the bedroom. He couldn’t face the light, not yet. After he had slept, perhaps.
He wasn’t given a choice. The light flicked on in the hallway and twelve-year-old Jessica looked down from the top of the stairs.
“You’re home!” she said, skidding down the carpeted flight and into his arms. “Daddy, I thought you’d be home before I went to bed. I’ve been so scared.”
“I’m sorry, pumpkin. I didn’t mean to scare you.” His voice sounded hollow, dead.
Jessica backed up to look at him and her bottom lip began to tremble. He could read the unspoken question in her eyes. He shook his head in the negative.
Jessica didn’t say another word, but fled, the sound of her sobs tearing what remained of his soul to shreds.
It had happened so quickly. They’d only had a day to consider the possibility that Marie might not come home, and now it was stark reality. What was he going to do? Could he raise Jessica alone? Would she be better off with one of her grandmothers? Leaning heavily on the railing, Jason made plans to ask his mother to move in, at least for the next month or two while they dealt with the immediate and planned for longer term.
At the landing he squared his shoulders and pushed those thoughts away. They were for the daylight, the morning, and only faced with the help of his family and friends. Now, he was alone, going to his empty bed. He’d buy a new one. He couldn’t sleep in this one without her.
His toe caught something and he looked down. Marie never left things out, but here were a pair of her shoes, bright red, the kind she would wear when they went out for dinner. The kind she might have had last night when…
Jason slid down to his knees and picked up the skinny heel, driving it into his chest as he hugged the shoes and wept, his sobs nearly as loud as Jessica’s.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Like what you just read? Have a question or concern? Leave a note for the author! We appreciate your feedback!
Kimberly Gould is the author of Cargon: Honour and Privilege, and it's sequel Duty and Sacrifice. She can be found most places as Kimmydonn, including Kimmydonn.com
#DailyPicspiration
You really nailed the sorrow both the father and daughter had, The idea of him buying a new bed is a real feeling for someone a person has lost. How could anyone sleep in a bed when the partner no longer can share it? I loved this flash.
ReplyDelete