Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Under Gifted

writing prompt
Week Three: For this week, your inspiration comes from two words (you are not required to use these words, though you may):
Gossamer: noun; a fine, filmy substance consisting of cobwebs spun by small spiders, which is seen esp. in autumn.
Affinity: noun; ( pl. affinities ) (often affinity between/for/with) a spontaneous or natural liking or sympathy for someone or something: he has an affinity for the music of Berlioz.



Willa stood on the sidewalk gazing at the old duplex. The yard needed mowing, and the flower beds wanted weeding. Still, she saw dignity and grace in the abandoned building. The wide porch beckoned a welcome to either entry door. She’d always been drawn to the old homes. That was why she finally went into real estate, to listen to the voices of the homes, and find the proper residents for them.

It was her gift.

She planted her “For Sale” sign in the yard, then stepped onto the porch while fishing the keys from her pocket. For no particular reason, she opened the right hand door first.

As she stepped over the threshold, the house sighed with the pleasure. Memories drifted from the walls, reaching for her. Caressing her with silken threads of full lives and loves everlasting. Warm hearts and laughing family times.

She welcomed the peaceful embrace. Heard yearning in the whispers of empty spaces longing to filled again.

She knew the perfect family for this home. People of life and love and laughter.

Willa smiled contentedly to herself as she finished her walk-through and began to search for the other key.

As she reached the door, the voices of the home became more insistent, “Don't go. Don't go.” They pleaded.

“I’ll be back, and with a family for you.” She whispered. “I promise.”

Willa left the gentle memories behind. She crossed the shared porch and stepped over the threshold of the left hand door.

Her gift hadn’t prepared her for the mirror twin of the other side.




13 comments:

  1. Shivers... I love the idea of this... rich with possibility.

    I can see the big old house with its porch and two entries...

    I also love the name Willa.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Cam. Willa turned up in my family tree on my Dad's side. As the story began, the name just popped out.

      Delete
  2. Nice, I love that the house is a character all its own. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Shelton, I am really attracted to big old homes myself.

      Delete
  3. Ooooh, two entrances, two souls, what an interesting concept. I don't know if you plan on expanding on this, but you should definitely keep it around in your "possibilities" folder. There a lot of potential in so many different directions.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Angela! This will definitely be hanging around, of course, I have a lot of stuff like that.

      But the possibilities here could be fun to play with.

      Delete
  4. Good house, bad house? I got nervous about what's waiting for her. But I loved Willa and her talent. Would it were we were all so lucky to find a job so perfectly matched!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I really like the good house, bad house thing. It may show up again.

      Delete
  5. Houses do have a personality, don't they? I like this story, and I would love to hear about the other side of the house.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I believe that houses DO have personalities. It might be interesting to explore this one a bit more.

      Delete
  6. Ooh. I totally want to hear about the other side now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping and reading!

      And we'll see about the other side...

      Delete