“You been in there long enough! People is waitin‘!” Sissy banged on the metal door. No response. She stomped to the desk where Colleen was doodling on the crossword.
“That old woman been in there over a hour!”
“Sissy, she’s younger than you.” Colleen tried not to tease her, but when she acted this way she couldn’t resist.
“Everyone got to follow the rules!”
“She hasn’t been in there that long.” Colleen paused. “Sissy, if it seems like a long time then it’s because she really needs that hot shower.”
“So do I!”
“You have your new place don’t you?” The city had finally opened the doors on that project. “You can shower anytime you want.”
“But I like it here.”
“And we like having you.” Colleen smiled. “It also means that Ingrid has priority at this facility.”
Sissy scowled.
“You know, Ingrid is new around here.” Colleen pointed to the cafeteria menu, remembering Sissy’s favorite. “Maybe she likes fried rice too.”
A thud echoed from the shower stall. Colleen pounded on the door then used her master key. “Call an ambulance!” She yelled at a security guard. “Now!”
“Why would she do this?” Sissy wailed. The blood from Ingrid’s wrists turned the water crimson. Colleen turned off the water and knelt between them.
“I don’t know. At the right moment it could be any of us, couldn’t it?”
“Aw hell no, not me!”
“Sissy, remember your compassion. Ingrid’s troubles were too big for her to bear tonight.”
“I’m sorry!” Sissy cried. What if it was her fault? “I shoulda been nicer.” She went over to her duffle bag and returned with a red and yellow package.
“For you, for when you come back.” She closed Ingrid’s hand around the cellophane wrapping.
She turned to Colleen. “It’s some kinda fancy soap. Lily of the Valley they said.”
***
The EMTs were loading Ingrid into the ambulance when Sissy started yelling. “You sayin’ cause she homeless that she got to die alone!”
“Ma’am, she’s not going to die and you can’t ride in the ambulance with her.”
“Cause I’m homeless? You discriminatin’ me cause I’m homeless!”
“Just get in.” Stan rolled his eyes at Micah. “Try to be quiet, ok?” He didn’t want this to get written up.
***
Ingrid’s eyes slowly adjusted to the dim light. The sheets smelled faintly of bleach. Then she saw the tubes taped to her skin. She groaned as she remembered. What had gone wrong?
“Hey, welcome back.” Sissy leaned forward. Ingrid stared at her blankly.
“I’m from the shelter. I was the one who wasn’t so nice to you. Sorry ’bout that.”
Ingrid closed her eyes and her jumbled thoughts came out a hoarse whisper. Then her fingers grazed the cellophane. “You gave me this. What is it?”
“It’s for your next shower. You can stay in there until that soap’s all gone if you want.”
Ingrid started to say something, then laughed as tears streamed down her cheeks and her whole body ached.
Beautiful story, it hit home for me on several levels. Brings back memories.
🙂
M
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Melinda, I’m deeply touched. I don’t want to pry, so I’ll just say that I hope that beauty and comfort outweighs any pain and that you are okay.
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Always….everything was a lifetime ago. God heals all.
🙂
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I’m happy to know that. Thanks for the compliment too :). I was feeling cloudy when I wrote it and couldn’t tell if it was any good.
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It reminded me of the old times when people were poor or parents we dead. I don’t know why, probably because it made me think of granny.
I could see you expanded the story to see where it goes.
🙂
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I’m so glad that it resonates. Melinda, you’re good! I love that you can see that I expanded the story :).
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I think you need to keep writing until the idea goes away. It’s an interesting turn and many WP readers can relate.
🙂
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That’s good advice and I’ll keep writing. Thanks, M 🙂
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🙂 You have the talent for longer stories. Push yourself out of your comfort zone without degrading quality.
🙂
M
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Thank you for the vote of confidence! You noticed that I’ve stayed with short stories….I’m not sure what happens with this one but it doesn’t feel finished.
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I think there’s much to uncover and you’ll learn in the process. You’ll know when there’s nothing to add.
🙂
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You are a wise one, aren’t you? Thanks again 🙂
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I don’t know about that!!!!! I’ve made to many wrong turns to be the wise one. Maybe the one living my dream thru you.
M
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Well done. I love the economy you bring to the language. It was an emotional ride that closed with relief.
And I love that header image.
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Thanks so much, Rob! I can get lost in description so I try to focus on economy with language. I’m intrigued that it was an emotional ride to read…it was an emotional ride to write. Yes, I was relieved at the end too 🙂
I’m so glad that you like the header image! I was ready for a change.
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I imagine that it was…it has the same feeling as “Reuben’s Messages”
I love the economy of language.
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You utilize it brilliantly!
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Thank you…for the comment and for your support of my blog…:)
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It’s always my pleasure, Rob 🙂
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this is very touching and sensitive story, life and its details!
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Thank you very much, Mihran 🙂
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Wow, I love it!
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Thanks so much, Arlene 🙂
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Easily the most powerful thing I have read all summer. Well done, and thank you!
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Thank you for the wonderful compliment, W.S. 🙂
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Great piece, Danica.
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Thanks, J! Much appreciated 🙂
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Danica I’m impressed with how you set up your characters so efficiently & effectively!
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Thank you, Geoff! Half the time I don’t even know where they come from…so I’m probably setting them up less than half the time. I might need a graph. And maybe a chart 🙂
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This story has been haunting me for a day now, well done.
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Wow, Neil, thank you for the tremendous compliment. I hope that it’s haunting in a good way! 🙂
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And we like having u in this blogosphere! Always looking forward to each new instalment of brilliance.
U might b interested to see this:
http://themedievil.wordpress.com/2015/09/07/monastic-beginnings-genesis/
Bless u
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Thank you very much, Brad! You’re far too kind.
Thanks also for the link 🙂
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