Small Mercies
by Graham Murray
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2010 by Graham Murray
All
rights reserved. Cover design by author.
This book is purely a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons whether living or deceased, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Other paperbacks and eBooks by Graham Murray:
Short Walks, Volume I -- ISBN 978-1453883761
Short Walks, Volume II -- ISBN 978-1456308551
Briefly: Collector's Edition -- ISBN 978-0615476483
The Guardians of Azurin (novel) -- ISBN 9780615480411
QUICKIES
Otter Bend Lake -- ISBN 978-1-4581-6166-6
The Last Birdsong -- ISBN 978-1-4581-1315-3
Thou Shalt Not Cheat -- ISBN 978-1-4580-5722-8
THE ONGOING ADVENTURES OF LI’L RED IN THE HOOD
1. Li’l Red in the Hood -- ISBN 978-1-4580-8126-1
2. Blow for Blow -- ISBN 978-1-4581-7172-6
Fractured! -- ISBN 978-1-4581-8351-4
Missing Melody – ISBN 978-1-4581-9495-4
The Shaking – ISBN 978-1-4580-8071-4
The Witch Trials – ISBN 978-1-4581-4104-0
SMALL MERCIES
Tom stood on the doorstep, fumbling in the pockets of the coat he wore against the evening chill. The last vestiges of light clung desperately to the horizon, bathing the street in an indigo that served only to darken the shadows. Clouds were now crimson smears across the darkening skyline.
Tired to the point of exhaustion and with an expression not only vacant, but distant, Tom finally found the key and inserted it into the lock. He slowly turned the key and shouldered open the door, pushing aside the morning mail. Once in the hallway, he closed the door with his foot and dropped the keys onto a small telephone stand at the foot of the staircase.
Shrugging out of the coat, he draped it over the banister and looked up. With one finger, he loosened his necktie as he made his way up the stairs. On the landing, he almost passed a door that stood slightly ajar but instead stopped, glanced at his wristwatch, then slowly opened the door and entered the room.
He snapped on the light, closed the door and looked around, his eyes finally settling on a small nightstand upon which lay a large white book. He walked over and picked it up, gently brushing the palm of his hand across the cover a few times, and then lay on the bed to read.
Moments later, a slight movement caused him to roll over.
The transformation was instantaneous! His face immediately lit up at the sight of five-year old, Tara, her eyes bright, her cheeks fresh and rosy and swirls of golden locks that tumbled down to frame her face. She was wearing her favorite Tinkerbell nightgown with pink slippers.
She beamed at her father. “Hi, Daddy! I missed you!”
She clambered across the bed and wrapped her arms tightly around Tom's neck. He hugged her tiny body and closed his eyes with delight.
“Hi sweetie!” he said. “I missed you, too. Is mommy home yet?”
Tara looked at the door and shook her head. She turned to Tom and smiled.
“Nuh-uh. Not yet,” she whispered. “But she'll be home soon.”
Tom looked at his watch again and nodded. “Yes, she will.” He paused for a moment to look at her and then added, “Well, sweetie, would you like for me to read you a story before she gets here?”
Tara's smile broadened and she clapped her hands with excitement.
“Oh! Yes please, daddy. Goldilocks! I love that one.”
As they snuggled together on the bed, Tom began.
“Once upon a time, in a land far, far away . . .”
The front door opened and Jackie entered the hallway. She closed the door and leaned against it as if to catch her breath. Momentarily, she pushed herself away and placed her keys on the telephone stand before removing her coat to hang in on a wall hook. She looked up and made her way towards the stairs.
She almost walked past, but paused at a door, tilting her head as if trying to hear a feint sound. She pressed an ear to the woodwork and could just make out the voice coming from within.
“. . . but the third bed was just right and Goldilocks was soon fast asleep.”
She gave a soft knock, waited a moment and then slowly opened the door. From the doorway, she gave a wan smile as she noticed the book lying open on the bed.
“Tom?” she said, sounding a little surprised. “I thought I heard your voice. What are you doing?”
Tom smiled as he looked up at her.
“Hi, honey. I was just telling Tara her favorite story.”
“Goldilocks.”
“Yes,” said Tom flatly.
His smile faded when Jackie's eyes pooled with tears. He arose and walked over, taking her in his arms. He lifted up her chin and searched her features, wiping away her tears with his thumb. Jackie closed her eyes at his touch.
“Come on, honey,” he said. “She's asleep now. Let her rest in peace.”
She looked up at him and nodded. They paused in the doorway for a last look into the empty room.
“Tom?” said Jackie, barely above a whisper.
“Hmm?”
“Do you think she hears us?”
They stepped into the hallway and began to pull the door closed. Light from the hallway cast a silver beam across the book lying on the bed. The gold title, gleaming in the stark contrast declared: “Our Daughter.”
The door closed and darkness returned once more.
“I'm sure she does, honey,” said Tom. “In her own way.”
THE END
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