“Would somebody please tell Aunt Tillie she’s dead!” Mother blurted out breaking the silence of our ordinarily droll morning meet up over weak tea and buttered toast. “I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep in over a week, and frankly, I just don’t know how much more I can bear!”
Without looking away from his morning Post, Father muttered, “Well, she is your sister. I believe that places the burden of truth squarely upon your shoulders.” To which mother groaned loudly in response, causing Father to add, “After all, you’re the only one she seems currently intent on making miserable.”
“Not so.” I voiced rather meekly, my mouth half hidden behind a nervous hand. Father’s morning Post crackled as he lowered it cautiously, just enough to rest his bespectacled eyes directly above the morning market headlines. They widened as he looked from me, to mother, then back at me again.
“Mother didn’t know. I never told anyone. The night she passed, I heard what sounded like someone crying in the attic. I was frightened, but I steeled myself, took a deep breath, put my hand on the doorknob and unlocked the door. When the door opened I felt a presence.”
“As it passed me in the doorway, a small voice whispered something about a gopher or maybe a mole and father’s inner thigh? Oh! I don’t know! It all happened so fast.” Mother’s eyes narrowed. Father ducked quickly behind his Post. And Auntie Tillie? She was never heard from again.
This piece written in 50 word increments is my response to the literary quote provided on this week’s 50 Word Thursday. The quote was, “I took a deep breath, put my hand on the doorknob and unlocked the door.” – Christiana Miller – Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie She’s Dead.
Thru Violet's Lentz 
This is great, I must admit though, the title was the best thing about the book, while your story beat it hands down. Wonderful Violet 😁
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It is definitely a great premise for a book- or a short story in this case. Thanks, Deb.
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Intriguing tale…
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Love it. And it so neatly fits my theory that the recently dead visit us in order to set right past wrongs. The best strategy is to tell them you forgive them… and mean it.. and to f**k off. I’ve found it works 🙂
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I’ve never had such an encounter- but I continue to wish I would…
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Twice… in the last ten years.
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Wow! As always, your stories are great and leave a desire to know more.
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Thank you Sadje, I am afraid this one would have to be continued in a brown paper wrapper….
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I hope not. Always a pleasure to read your posts.
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This made me laugh when dad was outed for being intimate with his sister-in-law.
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I’m thinking Aunt Tillie is doing most of the laughing now….
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Very mysterious
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A surprise twist for part 2: What happens when she comes back as a ghost? What secrets will fly?!
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Well she has already outed her affair with Father, so if she has any juicer secrets I am almost afraid to hear them!
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True!
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Intriguing! You never disappoint, Violet!
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Thank you Eugenia. I am fighting for words this week, so I am glad you don’t feel I’ve let you down.
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Don’t feel that way, Violet. It’s difficult to focus these days. I am trying to stay positive but it’s not so easy.
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I think father has some explaining to do.
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Exactly!
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Nice twist at the end, Violet!
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Ha ha – this is a scream!
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