The book

Keith's Ramblings

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The family home had remained empty for years. After my parents passed away, I’d never got around to selling it. Partly I suppose, because I didn’t want anybody else to have it. It was where I grew up. Even though it was impractical for me to live there, it was my home and I wanted it to remain so.

However, there came a time when common sense supplanted emotion, and I had to consider letting go.

Going inside for the first time in ages was a poignant experience, especially when I ventured into the room that had been mine since my childhood. Everything was just as I remembered it. Everything, except for an old book that sat on the desk.

It was covered with dust and made a strange creaking sound as I prised it open. What happened next was surreal, almost as if it wasn’t happening at all … only it was. 

I heard a voice.

At first, I didn’t recognise it. Then I realised it was the young me.

It started telling me things; things I’d always wanted to ask about but never had, for fear of what I might hear. Scared of facing the truth.

In those few moments, I discovered things about myself I’d rather not have known. My mind started spinning.

I slammed closed the book, and a cloud of dust rose into the air. I swear I heard the sound of laughter, the sort of laugh that suggested I’d been taken for a fool, told things that were nothing but folly.

I’ve not returned since, nor shall I00

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Thanks to Sadje for posting her What Do You See? photo prompt.

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Image credit; Dollar Gill @ Unsplash

33 thoughts on “The book”

  1. Sadje's avatar Sadje May 27, 2024 / 13:18

    Love this foray into fantasy Keith. The question we are too afraid to ask! Very interesting take. Thanks for joining in.

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  4. Misky's avatar Misky May 27, 2024 / 14:49

    Something about the Fates wanting us to see ourselves the way they do … or something like that.

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  7. Dale's avatar Dale May 27, 2024 / 16:13

    This was wonderful interpretation of the photo. Too much knowledge is not always a good thing!

    And it laughed at him, to boot!

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  8. Suzette Benjamin's avatar Suzette Benjamin May 27, 2024 / 18:49

    Great take on the prompt. Sigh..sometimes a moment back in the past is sometimes left a closed book. Well done Keith.

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  9. Mason Bushell's avatar Mason Bushell May 27, 2024 / 20:14

    Wow a talking diary, that reveals secrets of your past – that could be dangerous, a great story, Keith. Well done.

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  11. Christine Goodnough's avatar Christine Goodnough May 27, 2024 / 22:35

    Great tale, just the right touch of suspense. One thought: if we could look back now and see ourselves as we were then, we’d know why our parents sighed so often. 😉

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  13. Natasha's avatar Natasha May 28, 2024 / 06:55

    That was quite a cliff hanger I’d say and maybe there could be a sequel or better still a prequel. 🙂

    Good one, Keith for this wonderful prompt.

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  14. paeansunplugged's avatar paeansunplugged May 28, 2024 / 18:14

    Now thats something I would never want to happen with me! I love how you wove fantasy into the tale that started so realistically. Well done!

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  16. hilarymb's avatar hilarymb May 29, 2024 / 09:40

    Well done Keith … I’d have loved to known more about my parent’s life – but my father died young, and my mother decided nothing needed to remain – after all it was her history. I’ve enough and can work out the rest … no children, so in that respect no worries. Great tale you’ve told here … cheers Hilary

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