리틀팍스

Claire

written by C.S.

#0: Grandma Rosie

I was about eleven years old when I raced into Grandma Rosie’s backyard, in search of a football. It was a terrible place if you don’t mind, with everything smelling like death. And of course, I wanted to run for it, but Brian would kill me if I didn’t bring back his property. So I began searching for the missing football.

I swear, I searched everywhere, but I saw nothing. The stench of death only grew worse.

I was about to give up and apologize to Brian when I looked up and spotted a shattered window in the house.

“Oh, no!” I wailed in dismay. “My parents would kill me if they found out!”

I decided to apologize to the owner of this house, whoever it belonged to. I bravely stepped up and knocked on the door. As I waited, I surveyed the house; it was completely gray, and there were no neighbors nearby. I finally realized that this house was on a street corner.

“But I’ve never seen this house before,” I murmured. I had raced every possible street and alley in my childhood. There was no way I could have missed out on a house!

I stared at the door, growing impatient. “Hello?” I shouted. “Is anyone there?”

A startling grunt from someone made me jump. I knew at once that this someone was an oldie.

I’m in big trouble! I thought. Oldies hate children! I bet he’s going to tell my parents!

But what opened the door was a granny: Grandma Rosie. She looked about 75 years old, and her pajamas were bright pink, unlike the gloomy house. I tried not to burst out laughing when I realized the pajamas had fading heart prints on them. I guess grannies are the same as girls!

“Hello,” Grandma Rosie said in a sinking voice.

“Um,” I stammered. “Hi.”

“You knocked.”

“Oh, yeah, right, I did,” I continued. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but I...”

“What’s your name?” Grandma Rosie asked, pushing her spectacles up her short nose.

“Marv, ma’am,” I replied. “Marvin Stewart.”

“Hello, Marv,” Grandma Rosie shook my hand. I tried not to wince when her hands touched mine. They were icy cold, and I wondered how this woman was even alive! “What are you sorry for?”

“I was playing football with my friends,” I began. “But then...”

“Oh, are you the owner of this football?” Grandma Rosie went inside the house and brought back a brand-new football.

“Brian’s football!” I exclaimed in awe, then hesitated. “Th—thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Grandma Rosie smiled.

“You saved my life, Ma’am,” I continued. “Brian is the scariest kid in school and he beats most of us.”

“Then why do you let him beat you?” Grandma Rosie asked. “And why do you play football with him first?”

“Er... I don’t know, ma’am.”

“Don’t let big kids bully you,” Grandma Rosie shook a finger firmly.

“Yes, ma’am,” I replied. “Can I return this to Brian now? He would kill me if I don’t.”

“Sure, but please come back to this house, Marv,” Grandma Rosie narrowed her eyes. “If you want to hear some stories from this old lady, about life.”

“I’ll try to,” I hesitated. “I will.”

“Thank you,” Grandma Rosie grinned. “I was getting pretty lonely, and besides, I don’t have much time to live now.”

“I’m sorry,” I looked down. “Can I go now?”

“Yes, of course,” Grandma Rosie sputtered a cough. “I’m sorry I kept holding you.”

“No problem, ma’am,” I began to race back outside. “I hope we’ll meet again soon!”

“See you soon, Marv!” Grandma Rosie waved from her lonely, dying house.

P.S. Hey, guys. I hope you enjoyed this. This is one of my old writings, called Claire, following my The Deepest Challenge. I've uploaded the prologues of both stories, and I want to know which story you are most excited to read. Here's a vote: Please press Fantastic if you are planning to read the next chapter of The Deepest Challenge, and Good if you want to read Claire. Please press Interesting if you want to read them both!