.
I’ll never forget that Halloween. ‘Trick or treat’ we shouted the way kids do. The old lady hissed and shook her stick. We ran!
‘Never go near the grey house again’, Mum said. ‘She’s a witch’.
I work for a company emptying disused properties now. When I heard we were clearing the grey house I was intrigued. She’d died a while back and nobody had claimed it. Did she have kids? Grandkids? Perhaps I’d find out.
Inside, everywhere was neat and tidy. A bit of dust but nothing more. There was a photograph on the sideboard.
A photograph of Mum and me.
.
.
Thanks to Rochelle for hosting and to Ted Strutz for the photo
Click on Froggie to join in the fun.
Oh, this is sad Keith.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Di.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh…deep family secrets…and a tragedy that may never be told.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So it would seem. Thanks, Christine.
LikeLike
A serious family dispute it seems. I feel sorry for the old lady. Maybe I shouldn’t!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe, maybe not. Thanks Iain
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, how sad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed. Thank you Denise.
LikeLike
Intriguing family connection
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is. Thank you, Neil.
LikeLike
Too sad and too often a true tale.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure you’re right Mimi.
LikeLike
Dear Keith,
How very sad when there are insurmountable rifts in families. Nice misdirect.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unimaginable too most, but too often for some it’s the case. Thanks, Rochelle.
LikeLike
Ah families…and now they can’t go back…it’s done. So very, very sad. But beautiful to read every bite.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s really kind thank you.
LikeLike
Oh what an intriguing ending.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes! Cheers Sadje.
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍👍👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the ending.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m pleased! Thanks so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
what can we say? most family do have secrets. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure they do plaridel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And to think he could have had a granny all of those years. Maybe she was a witch, but maybe not. Well-told story that leaves intriguing questions…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Even I’m wondering. Thanks Jade.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It even had me wondering and I wrote it! Cheers Jade.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh boy, great last line! Family secrets, and now too late.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadly, yes. Thanks, draliman.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadly that’s so. Thanks draliman.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now that really is sad. Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed. Thanks, Sandra.
LikeLike
Clever construction
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Families. What a surprise they are.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes! Cheers Danny.
LikeLike
Nice twist ending! Family grudges are never worth all the grief and pain they cause.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree but sadly they are not uncommon. Thanks Dora.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Spooky and imaginable, nicely done
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much WWM.
LikeLike
Thats really sad, but brilliantly done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most kind, thanks so much .
LikeLike
The last line gave me a good punch in the stomach. WOW …. to have found the photo had to be devastating to him.
Gosh … I want to know more but with a bit of hope. Have a wonderful day … Be Safe
Isadora 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for your lovely comment Isadora. Makes it all worthwhile!
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍😊😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh that last line! Didn’t see that coming at all. Poor old woman – or was the photo there for more sinister reasons?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had in mind a grandmother who was for reason was kept at arm’s length from her family. Then again, I’m all for the reader interpreting it in any way they wish! Thanks siobhan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, that was a wicked twist at the end! I’m trying my hand at Friday Fictioneers for the first time. This photo prompt has generated some chilling stories!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much Sue, and welcome aboard. I really enjoyed your story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yanno… my husband used to call his mother a witch… their relationship was strained but not to this level. It always saddens me – while we don’t know the whys maybe it is best. Maybe it was better. Who knows now? Excellent story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think this was a bit exteme. Who knows indeed? Thanks so much Dale.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a lot extreme…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unfortunately she may turn out to be quite a deliberately neglected grandmother
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s what I had in mind. Cheers Larry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh dear, a long time family rift and he had no idea who she really was. So sad. Very well written, Keith.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Brenda.
LikeLike
Wow. Fantastic storytelling. Quite the dysfunctional family.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So it seems! Thanks, Tannille
LikeLiked by 1 person
The last sentence changes the story completely. Nicely done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does. Thanks so much subroto.
LikeLike
The shock to learn how you were denied your grandmother. What went wrong in the family.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder. Thanks, James.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is heart-wrenching , Keith – excellently so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Liz.
LikeLike
Oh, wow. This is powerful, Keith! The stories children are told. The realities they learn to believe … and the secrets adults use to hide reality from their own kids … 😦 Sad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s exactly what I was hoping to convey. Thanks so much Na’ama.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 So glad I ‘got it’! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
When the comedian throws the dramatic mystery curve ball, it is a story to behold. Well done, Keith, and well-told.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s very kind of you Bill. thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Super cool story!
Ronda
LikeLike
Now that is a great beginning to a much longer tale
LikeLiked by 1 person
It could well be! Cheers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How sad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed. Thanks so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Keith.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An atmospheric and intriguing tale, I like the mood. Nicely done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much.
LikeLike
This is actually very sad I think
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed. Thanks Björn
LikeLike
One of your best, what a punchline
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Mike.
LikeLike
Well done! Love all the questions this leaves unanswered.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Annette .
LikeLike