The Package (Weekend Freewrite - Single Option) 10/19/19

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Weekend Freewrite -10/19/2019 - Single Prompt Option

Magaritte rose slowly from the dressing table. She wiped the smudge from her eyes to remove the eye shadow. She didn’t use to apply makeup as thick as she does now. Partly because she had flawless skin. “Oh, back in the day, you wouldn’t believe” she would start off her story to her kids. She didn’t tell those stories any more. Couldn’t remember the details or a particular year or date any longer.

As she tried to make her way to the kitchen, she turned to remove her walking assistant from behind the bedroom door. She dragged one foot after the other, then hit the baseboard. The cracking noise was as familiar as her own voice as she stepped on it. By the time she raised her foot again and it into the living room, she heard a knock. “Who would be visiting at this hour?, and where is that darn home health provider” she said in a low raspy voice. She turned around with her cane in one hand and her hand on the wooden chair. Her gait was awkward, having recently returned home from that place no one wants to go. The hospital.

Seems like 10 minutes went by before she reached the front door. She opened the door slowly, screen door first. Her pink handkerchief slipped from her hand as she unlatched the screen. She looked out into the evening. Even with the sun falling quickly to usher in the twilight, she could see no one there. In the far distance she heard a dog bark. Why don’t those neighbors shut them up or something, she thought.

A faint aroma she barely recognized now creeped up near her nose. How long had it been since she smelled that. She turned her head towards the swing on the front porch. “ Might as well sit for a spell since I’m out here,” she thought to herself. The smell followed her as if to force her to acknowledge its existence.

She placed her walking cane next to her right side. Before she could right herself, the cane made a thumping sound next to her leg. She bent down slowly to retrieve it. Before her hand could touch it though, she noticed a package under the swing. Not very big, but seemed to be square in shape and small. What could it be! She didn’t see anyone drop off mail earlier. And her usual mailman had already left the monthly bills with her. She picked up her cane and forcefully hit the end of the package with the rubber tip. The package flipped over face up. Gasping for air and heart beating rapidly now, her eyes rolled over and over as they saw the words: “Addressed to Mattie Longarina”.

She slumped further down into the back of the swing. Then she slipped into that place where the pain was waiting to greet her; a place she had vowed never to return.