Thanks to dear Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers and to Brenda for the photo.
F F’s March 26th THE GRILLE
My mother refused to talk about it. She rolled her eyes and stared at the ground. After two glasses of Rioja Grandma would only refer darkly to a ‘bad thing’ in the courtyard. Then clamp her mouth shut.
When I was six, a naughty boy who wouldn’t go to sleep, my dad threatened that he would awaken the ghost if he spoke about the incident, and then I’d never sleep again.
Best to keep the priest’s secret locked up, like the garden gate with its grille . Shame we never ever left the garden.
March 23, 2022 at 3:26 pm
Thanks Neil, I appreciate your comment.
March 19, 2022 at 11:04 pm
I like how you show that each family member is affected by their dark secret, and the effects are passed on to the next generation. Sadly, this is how family trauma continues. A grim story, well told.
March 23, 2022 at 2:03 pm
Thanks Margaret, I appreciate your feedback. I’m sure you’re right about how trauma is transmitted through generations.
March 19, 2022 at 9:58 am
Some dark secrets are best left buried. Wonderfully written story with so much more to say!
March 23, 2022 at 2:09 pm
Thanks Brenda, so pleased you liked the story and its possibilities.
March 19, 2022 at 1:40 am
A mystery of secrets. Nicely done.
March 23, 2022 at 2:18 pm
Thanks for your comment Bill, glad you liked the story.
March 18, 2022 at 11:17 am
Dear Francine,
A lot of story between the lines that bring sorrow, shame and anger that these things really do happen. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
March 23, 2022 at 2:22 pm
Thank-you Rochelle, I’m pleased you liked the story. I found the iron grille gate very evocative of secrets.
March 17, 2022 at 8:23 pm
Ah, the power of secrets, and shame. Well written!
March 23, 2022 at 2:25 pm
I appreciate your comment, thank-you. I think ‘shame’ has a lot to answer for.
March 17, 2022 at 7:35 pm
Yes, it is the rusting grill that reminds us never to forget. A deep and telling story.
March 23, 2022 at 2:32 pm
Thank you James, I appreciate your reflections.
March 16, 2022 at 5:45 pm
Richly textured story that says so much.
March 23, 2022 at 2:41 pm
Thank Jade, I appreciate your feedback.
March 23, 2022 at 5:22 pm
You’re very welcome.
March 16, 2022 at 3:43 pm
Some dark secrets behind that gate… Well done.
March 23, 2022 at 3:21 pm
Thanks Iain, I appreciate your comment.
March 16, 2022 at 2:52 pm
A fine gothic flavour to this