SOME DOORS ARE NOT FOR OPENING
BY
Faith McCord
.
Disconnected and empty she went to her. Although she’d been told not to. Left the bright garden – and its startling flowers with dark creatures in the pits of their bowels – began the long trek though the gloom of the house, all the while considering if that is what she should be doing… And, halted before the big closed door. It had a gold handle which by twisting locked the room. Most times this room was locked. The loud heart-thumps in her chest marked her hesitation. Her hand slowly jerked towards the handle.
“Don’t disturb me, I’m busy.”
That’s what she told her. That’s what she always told her.
She thought, behind this closed door she is there. Near. Yet, not near. She pictured her usual stance of averted face, complete absorption in a book. The seriousness of the act marked in the features of her face – in her very essence.
Her hand stopped short of the handle.
The door was most likely locked.
She would not be pleased. She could be frightening with her sudden rage. The raised voice, the insults, the quick hit of the hand.
She is a part of her but not a part of her. She is the most important person yet a stranger. She is as distant to her as a person can possibly be to another whilst living in the same house. She’s distant to her like belonging to another – and more favoured – world.
I am the irritation of a mundane task. (She knew).
Why can’t I be liked? What did I do wrong? (It confused her).
Her hand still wavered, now retracted to a position inches under the gold door handle. Of the closed door. She heard her cough inside the room, she imagined her turning the pages of text. She stared at the closed door.
It didn’t beckon to open.
…
word count: 315
© copyright Faith McCord 2018
Author’s note: Child neglect is insidious and very damaging.
.
*
Copyright Faith McCord 2018
Story and artwork belongs to Faith McCord who is the author and artist holding the copyright. This is not a public domain work. Worldwide rights.
Little Lord Oscar Dandelion Books 
So glad to see you are back writing and posting. Bit disturbed by what you are telling however………I guess life can’t all be smelling like roses? Cheers,H
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Helen. Yep, life is made up of good and bad experiences. It’s what we make of our life now that’s important 🙂 I remember you saying you are 10 hours ahead of us in the UK, so it must be early evening there (sorry, memory-fart, which part of Oz are you from?). Wishing you a great week my friend. Glad to hear of your recent social activities.
LikeLike
Great story, the reader is placed in the childs mind and knows how it feels. I think you could really develop some flash fiction to submit to competitions. Usually max word count is 250 but sometimes shorter than that. Just think you have the skill to put across a story and emotion in a short amonut of words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Ruth for reading and commenting, also for your encouragement. I can’t remember if I ever have entered a writing competition before, it’s worth considering 🙂
I hope you have some of this sunshine like we’re having in Norfolk today.
LikeLike
Yes, very sunny, but work to do. Just closed is the Bridport comp. They accept starts of novels, poetry short stories and flash fiction. Mark in your diary April next year. Really worthwhile entering. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you my friend, I shall make a note of that. Don’t work too hard xo
LikeLike
I will try…I will also put together a list of some of the comps worth entering and email it to you. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh gosh, thank you so much. That is kind of you. Hugs!
LikeLike
Sorry
will be in a couple of days. Meanwhile would you like to contribute a short story to A Silent Roar?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ruth, I meant to reply to you this morning but we had commotion here with a gas leak! The electric wasn’t back on till late at night. But, the good thing is is that we’re all safe now with the calor gas canisters shut off to the house and someone coming to look at the old gas oven. And I was hoping for a quiet day after yesterday’s car MOT running around lol.
Is Silent Roar a WP blog? Your help is much appreciated whenever you’re able of course, Ruth 🙂 xo
LikeLike
What a powerful, poignant story, Faith.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you dear Magarisa 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, Faith.
LikeLike