.
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.
Thank you, Di.
Oh…deep family secrets…and a tragedy that may never be told.
So it would seem. Thanks, Christine.
A serious family dispute it seems. I feel sorry for the old lady. Maybe I shouldn’t!
Maybe, maybe not. Thanks Iain
Oh, how sad.
Indeed. Thank you Denise.
Intriguing family connection
It is. Thank you, Neil.
Too sad and too often a true tale.
I’m sure you’re right Mimi.
Dear Keith,
How very sad when there are insurmountable rifts in families. Nice misdirect.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Unimaginable too most, but too often for some it’s the case. Thanks, Rochelle.
Ah families…and now they can’t go back…it’s done. So very, very sad. But beautiful to read every bite.
That’s really kind thank you.
Oh what an intriguing ending.
Oh yes! Cheers Sadje.
👍👍👍
Love the ending.
I’m pleased! Thanks so much.
what can we say? most family do have secrets. 🙂
I’m sure they do plaridel.
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…
Even I’m wondering. Thanks Jade.
You’re welcome.
It even had me wondering and I wrote it! Cheers Jade.
Oh boy, great last line! Family secrets, and now too late.
Sadly, yes. Thanks, draliman.
Sadly that’s so. Thanks draliman.
Now that really is sad. Well done.
Indeed. Thanks, Sandra.
Clever construction
Thank you!
Families. What a surprise they are.
Oh yes! Cheers Danny.
Nice twist ending! Family grudges are never worth all the grief and pain they cause.
I agree but sadly they are not uncommon. Thanks Dora.
Spooky and imaginable, nicely done
Thanks so much WWM.
Thats really sad, but brilliantly done.
Most kind, thanks so much .
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 😎
Thanks so much for your lovely comment Isadora. Makes it all worthwhile!
👍😊😎
Oh that last line! Didn’t see that coming at all. Poor old woman – or was the photo there for more sinister reasons?
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.
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!
Thanks so much Sue, and welcome aboard. I really enjoyed your story.
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.
I think this was a bit exteme. Who knows indeed? Thanks so much Dale.
It was a lot extreme…
Unfortunately she may turn out to be quite a deliberately neglected grandmother
That’s what I had in mind. Cheers Larry.
Oh dear, a long time family rift and he had no idea who she really was. So sad. Very well written, Keith.
Thanks so much, Brenda.
Wow. Fantastic storytelling. Quite the dysfunctional family.
So it seems! Thanks, Tannille
The last sentence changes the story completely. Nicely done.
It does. Thanks so much subroto.
The shock to learn how you were denied your grandmother. What went wrong in the family.
I wonder. Thanks, James.
That is heart-wrenching , Keith – excellently so.
Thanks so much Liz.
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.
That’s exactly what I was hoping to convey. Thanks so much Na’ama.
🙂 So glad I ‘got it’! 🙂
When the comedian throws the dramatic mystery curve ball, it is a story to behold. Well done, Keith, and well-told.
That’s very kind of you Bill. thank you.
Super cool story!
Ronda
Now that is a great beginning to a much longer tale
It could well be! Cheers.
How sad.
Indeed. Thanks so much.
You’re welcome, Keith.
An atmospheric and intriguing tale, I like the mood. Nicely done.
Thanks so much.
This is actually very sad I think
Indeed. Thanks Björn
One of your best, what a punchline
Thanks so much Mike.
Well done! Love all the questions this leaves unanswered.
Thanks so much Annette .