Friday, July 30, 2010

she stood at the door



her hands trembled as she inserted the rusty old key into the lock. she knew there was no turning back once she'd come this far. the journey to this door spanned decades of searching, yearning, always  holding faith that the key would unleash secret mysteries of her past. her heart raced as she heard frantic whisperings from the other side, indecipherable words that begged for an answer. the other side -- how many times as a child had she heard her mother whisper those words? the last time had been on her mother's death bed as she pressed the rusty old key into her hand. "promise me you'll find it," her mother whispered. "promise me you'll put an end to their constant questioning. i tried so hard to appease them but never had the words they longed to hear." so she had searched, slowing turning the pages of the mystery book that had been her mother's legacy to her. slowly she narrowed her search to this wooded copse and this abandoned house. and now, at long last, she stood at the door, ready to face the voices that had haunted her mother. she firmly turned the key within the lock, pushing back the resistance from years of neglect. creaking door hinges preceded a crescendo of hoarse voices and foul breath. her eyes took in the dark forms as they rushed forward, leaving in their wake a desolate forbidding courtyard. as she stepped over the threshold she understood the question the multitude was asking of her and her reply was quick and sure. "hope," she said. "hope is the thing that sustains us. hope is the answer." the words had barely left her lips when the dark forms began to transform, taking on new shapes and colors. instantly they were the purple hollyhocks, the yellow daisies and the orange poppies lining the pathway into the courtyard. vermillion roses climbed the brick wall, turning their faces to the sun, sighing with contentment. and they all welcomed her with open hearts, embracing the one who held the key to their redemption.  

this is my first time to participate in willow's magpie tales and i truly loved the challenge. to see more of this week's magpie tales, click here.  



11 comments:

Kathe W. said...

this was lovely....

chiccoreal said...

Dear Julie: This is a wonderfully written and nostalgic piece of fiction! The wonderful courtyard with all the beautiful flower awaits; like the inheritance from mother to daughter. You are making me cry! I love this beautiful story!

Brian Miller said...

so glad you did join magpie...a wonderful tale...and hope transformed....smiles.

Lyn said...

I love this piece, I want it to carry on....
love
Lyn
xxx

Anonymous said...

Nice magpie Julie - hope you join Magpie Tales again

Gabriela Abalo said...

A very lovely tale... u kept me intrigued to the very end.

Nice take on this week Magpie.

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

Great job Julie...good story, suspense and conclusion. This magpie is catching fire...glad to see your words!

Dianne said...

Beautiful story... Hope truly can transform darkness into bright...

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

well done,
one's past is something everyone has to face or deal with.

Helen said...

Julie,
I so enjoyed reading your Magpie! A mother's legacy ~ a mystery solved ~ well written indeed.

Tess Kincaid said...

Of love, faith and hope, I always say hope is the greatest. Beautiful Magpie, Julie, and welcome!!