They knocked on her door.
She let them in.
Little eyes peering through the crack, they knew what was in there.
All four feet of its ghastly ugliness, screaming when’s the next trash day?
Ribbons of sea water blue twisted with dingy pale and streaks of salmon. Together with eyes of, well, of a gigantic fish, they tangled in a symphony of ugly.
Piled among twisted clothes and crumpled papers, its short life had been spent flopped under fifteen year old feet.
Without reel or bait, they were heading in for the catch.
Young minds unphased by the world between them, the years, the path of development, the ease of play.
They just wanted the fish.
As they hooked it, I caught my breathe at my throat. It was their sister’s favorite.
Would she let it go or let them in?
At the sound of their attack she spun from her laptop.
The smile began.
Laughter burst from her as they sprang. She wrapped her hands around a silky fin and pulled her brother and sister atop that stuffed monstrosity to squeals of delight.
A giggling symphony streaked new shine to the floor.
I danced along behind, the wonders of play contagious.
My heart floated as ages and autism fell away.
They knocked on her door.
She let them in.
This piece is in response to the Red Dress Club prompt:
Write a short piece, either fiction or non-fiction, about something ugly – and find the beauty in it.
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I'm Jessica, 30-something mom to five, four in my arms and one in my heart.
This is just beyond cute… so adorably cute… i enjoyed it and the picture said it all… just lovely.
Ratz recently posted..Ugly-Beautiful Edited
Oh. Wow.
This was beautiful and moving.
Angie recently posted..Baby Bump
Nicely done! And that picture. Love it
Lisa @ Two Bears Farm recently posted..How the Stomach Looks After Twins – The Post Belly Shots
Twitter: varunner7
Ha! My friend has a huge sparkly red lizard at her house that the kids are all obsessed with. Such a special moment when they can SHARE!
Ilana @ mommyshorts recently posted..Three Week Recap- Dependency- Breakdowns & A Little Pageantry
Twitter: mommyshorts
so fun!!
I read it twice!!
Great post
me too! the first read I was terrified of what was coming next,!
Yuliya recently posted..Speechless
Oh no, what were you so scared of? Did you think the fish was going to eat them or that I was going to make you cry??
Oh hon – this was incredible! Your words are beautiful.
tracy recently posted..The Gift Horse…
Twitter: sellabitmum
The photo speaks volumes!!!
Pamela Gold recently posted..FEAR
At the sound of their attack she spun from her laptop.
Well done, I like that.
Jack recently posted..The Flying Clown
Twitter: thejackb
Oh wow! Beautiful! It sounds like she is doing great!
Sarah recently posted..10 Months
Twitter: naptimemomtog
Loved this! And I love the photo; I had to go back and re-read it after seeing it, just to see how my perception of it changed. Nice touch.
Lizz recently posted..I Will
I LOVED this! You did a wonderful job. I also read it twice, not because I didn’t get it, but because I enjoyed it so. And, yes, the picture was perfect. Well done.
Beautiful! And it made me so happy to read – you perked up my morning!
Natalie recently posted..Going Bananas!
It’s so true, there is so much joy in children’s play if we take the time to see it. I enjoyed your writing and am joining to follow your site.
Kim recently posted..Act One
this was BRILLIANT. Wow. So good. I love the imagery and the ending…I love the moment when my children “play together’ instead of against of each other.
Twitter: thekircorner
This was just perfect!
I like the title you went with.
Nice job.
Tonya recently posted..What Are Little Boys Made Of
Twitter: letters4lucas
This is just amazing. I’ve read it three or four times now and I can’t get over how well you conveyed your relief that she “let them in”. I felt that same relief.
Standing ovation!
angie recently posted..Writer’s Workshop- A Memorable Neighbor
Play is indeed contagious. Ridiculously so.
KLZ recently posted..Extraordinarily Irritating
Twitter: Taminginsanity
My God, chick! This was so poeticly gorgeous!!
It flowed and wove and then giggled. I loved the giggle most of all. You hooked me as surely as the “fish”.
Mandyland recently posted..The Storm – Part 2
Oh sweet friend! I was already smiling when I saw that this was your post in the link up- and I kept it throughout. Hooray for answered knocks, hooray for our beautiful children! Great job! XO
Twitter: galitbreen
Good for her! And thank goodness for relentless toddlers
Jennie B recently posted..No More Wishes- Redux
Twitter: wantapeanut
“All four feet of its ghastly ugliness, screaming when’s the next trash day?”
Absolutely perfect. Hooked! We are all hooked on you that’s for sure.
Yuliya recently posted..Speechless
So much fun! I love how the simplicity of one big fish can take all the worries of the day away!
Erin recently posted..Its a beautiful thing
Twitter: ErinsMiracles
That fish is certainly on the ugly side but this moment is GORGEOUS!
Elaine recently posted..On Writing
That’s awesome. Love what you did with this prompt.
MamaRobinJ recently posted..Fledgling Friday Link-Up- March 11 edition
Twitter: FarewellStrangr
FANTASTIC post. I love it. I thought they were on the water or something. I was like, ew, fish. And then I followed and followed and laughed and towards the end I teared up a bit. Great words, great picture, wonderful story.
Andrea recently posted..The Beast
Twitter: goodgirlgonered
Absolutely beautiful! What a glorious moment in time!
blueviolet @ A Nut in a Nutshell recently posted..The Third Mishap of Never Mind How Many
I loved the end with the laughing, giggling, and dancing. The picture was great also.
Twitter: mytimeasmom
Beautiful post. Beautiful writing. Beautiful moment. Love it.
Jessica Anne recently posted..Warm Velvet
What a perfect moment of blessed childhood freedom.
“My heart floated as ages and autism fell away.
They knocked on her door.
She let them in.”
Are absolutely beautiful lines.
Jennifer recently posted..Caught in Amber
I love your writing Jessica. Such a beautiful moment between your children.
Twitter: undomesticme
I love the repetition of those important lines, few words with so much meaning.
Oh how I cherish those moments when it’s an absolute privilege to be a witness. Thank you for sharing it with us. I’ll be smiling for quite a while.
Ash recently posted..“Smashing Success”
Twitter: AshAtShades
I love it! Great story!
Not Just Another Mother Blogger! recently posted..The Secret to a Happy Marriage
Twitter: fercryinoutloud
Oh, I love it! What a great picture you paint with words…and then the actual picture. So cute!
Karen recently posted..Chats with Matt Episode 6- Story of my Life
Thank you for the big fat smile you put on my face this morning.. That and for the talented and entertaining way you told this. Well done.
Mad Woman behind the Blog recently posted..WW Beware of What you wish for!
Awwwwwww! This was so cute! When I first read it I was all grossed out thinking they were out fishing for real fish. I love the way you did this! Here from TRDC (duh!)!
Amy (The_BMG) recently posted..Scarred
I was, admittedly, a little uncertain what sort of a fish we were talking about, with knocking doors and little eyes, but I was definitely compelled to find out.
What a treat to reveal the way you did–all the little ones coming for your eldest and her fish, and your obvious pleasure with the success of their “mission” just shines through. I went back for a reread just to feel that rush of maternal joy again.
CDG recently posted..What Happened
Twitter: MoveOverMaryP
Children, my children…they do make everything beautiful.
Alexandra recently posted..Beautifully Bilingual – Your Child Talking Guest Post
Twitter: gdrpempress
Just like Leighann & Yulia, I read it twice as well. Simply because I liked it so much. What a great moment!
Twitter: NaynaDub
Beautifully written – I was totally engaged! Stopping by from SITS. Have a great weekend!
Angie recently posted..Liars- Old Farts & Smartasses
Your blog is incredible, can’t wait for more info
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