Friday 14 August 2009

SECRETS by Karen Mossman


SECRETS



Secrets are terrible things. Sometimes it’s better to take them to your grave than to utter them out loud.

I was told a secret. I wish it could be taken back. How do you deal with things that shouldn’t be told?

Now I don’t know how to get through the day. I don’t know what to do. I lie awake at night. I struggle to eat even when I am hungry.

It happened one drunken night, at a family party. We’d gone outside for some fresh air. That’s when he told me.

We were leaning on the wall, looking up at the full moon.

“It’s beautiful,” he said. “Just like you, my beautiful daughter. I need to tell you something. We stole you.”

I turned to look at him. “Stole me? Dad, what do you mean?”

“You must never tell anyone, not even your mother, it would break her heart if she knew I’d blurted it out.”

I didn’t know what to say. “Wh-where from?”

“A garden. You were playing and stood by the gate as I went past. You were such a bundle of happiness and your mother so desperately wanted children. I hadn’t been able to give her any.”

I was too stunned to speak when suddenly he started retracting, but it was said now.

“Our secret,” he said kissing my cheek before going back inside.

What the hell am I supposed to do with that?

6 comments:

  1. And what a secret, time to roll up the old sleeves and fleece faux-daddy for all he's worth to keep it a secret. Great piece.

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  2. Dark secrets should never be told but I'm glad you shared this one. Very well done!

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  3. If it's true. Don't forget it was a drunken night.

    Then again, you know what they say:

    In Vino Veritas.

    Nice one, Karen.

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  4. Short n sweet with a world of possiblities.
    Good stuff, Kazz.

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  5. Thanks for all the nice comments. I appreciate it :)

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