FLASH FICTION

MOVING ON

The sound of  a large vehicle reversing caused my heart to race in anticipation.

With baited breath I listened as it slowed to a halt. The ‘clunk’ as the tailgate was lowered confirmed the moment of dread which had engulfed me.

The house was now too large for mum and although in reasonably good health the stairs were a difficult factor within her capabilities

Mum also heard the ‘clunk’ and flinched yet other than that, showed no visible emotion. I touched her gently on the arm but averted my gaze lest she should see the sadness in my eyes.                                                      

“Can you open the doors love?” A gruff voice echoed through my muffled mind.

Boxes filled with essentials and a lifetime of memorabilia were packed and ready for removal.  Sixty years’ of memories flashed through my mind as if I were traveling at the speed of light. Piece by piece like a jigsaw mum and dad  turned this shabby house into a fine home. I glanced at the staircase and  saw myself as a child  sitting on the stairs during the evenings watching dad paint whilst mum was working to supplement financial survival. The luxury of  Central Heating and the first beloved cat and dog sprang to mind. Dad passed away though afterwards conveyed a message to mum requesting  her to plant a yellow rose bush which he promised would flourish in the garden. Albeit rather skeptical about spiritual matters she planted the  rose and it flourished well until  eventually grewing old and losing its lustr.        

“Are you going to make tea?”  Mum’s words brought me back to reality. The remaining boxes were loaded and time had come to walk away. My heart began to pound and hot poker like tears filled my eyes. Again I averted my gaze as mum closed the front door. Showing no emotion she said “That’s it”.    

Upon arrival at the bungalow we began unpacking immediate necessities. Mum was sullen and irritated. Sleep did not set upon either of us easily. Exhaustion nearly overcame me and I feared for the dark frame of mind mum was slipping in to. There was no turning  back. We had sold the house. Dad would have loved the bungalow. It was small and in his later years the maintenance of the house tired him.       

The  doorbell rang unexpectedly and upon opening the door three familiar beaming faces took my breath away. My three grandchildren Jay, Michael and Lauren had come  to surprise their great grandmother in hr new home..

“Hello Great Nana” they chorused. I caught sight of genuine  emotion in mum’s eyes. Excitedly they ran from room to room and into the garden “It is overgrown so be careful”,  Mum said  tenderly.

“Great Nana” they shouted excitedly “Come here”. As she walked towards them Lauren followed by Jay and Michael was clutching a yellow rose. “We picked it for you. It was over there” I glanced at my mother and  knew we shared  the same instinct. Had my father sent her the rose in the fair hand of her great granddaughter?.           

“We must get this place sorted for the school holidays” my mother beamed with happiness,  flourishing like the rose.