Hidden Room- BFF 216 and GBE2

This is a fictional story I wrote for the BFF and GBE2 writing prompts.  

       After a summer of laughter and hearing my kids bickering back and forth the house was silent as a tomb after they left for school.  All three dogs wasting no time crawling up onto the couch and falling fast asleep.  I glanced longingly at my computer but knew if I didn’t stick with my plan to clean out my closet it wouldn’t get done.  I would get caught up writing, reading, and playing games and before long most of the day would be shot.  

       My habit has always been to throw anything and everything on the floor of my closet and shut the door.  Out of sight out of mind is my motto.  Occasionally I would sort it and then throw it back in neater stacks.  The result was always the same.  Before too much time had passed chaos reigned and I couldn’t find anything.  My clothes never stayed on the hangers and never stayed in stacks no matter how good my intentions.  There was no better time than the present to dig through the pile, sort the summer clothes from the winter and get organized.  I pulled articles of clothing out one by one and started dividing them into the seasons when I would wear them and a special pile of the clothes that I no longer could get into anymore.  Those would have to go.    Finally the closet was bare and my bed was full.  

       Towards the back of the closet the carpet was pushed up.  I had never noticed it before and went to investigate.  As I pushed the carpet back down I realized there was something underneath it.  Curious I pulled the carpet back and discovered the outline of a trap door.  My breath caught.  Where did it lead??  What could be inside?    With excitement I pulled the carpet up farther to reveal a handle.  I pulled on the handle hard.  It wouldn’t budge. Upon further investigation I discovered that there was a slider lock on the door similar to one you would find in a public restroom.  I slid the bar over and pulled the door again and it opened with a creak.

       The dark gaping hole in the floor revealed stairs.   I hurried out to the kitchen, grabbed a flashlight, and ran hell bent for election back to the closet.  I flipped on the switch and pointed it down into the dark abyss below and was rewarded with glimpses of steps leading down into the darkness.   Cautiously I started down letting the beam of light precede me.  The air was cool as I descended into the unknown. 

         The room I discovered was half the size of the bedroom I had come from.  The floor and walls appeared to be cement.  At the far end of the room I seen a glowing light.  Mesmerized I walked toward it.  As I came closer, the light grew brighter.  As I passed through I was astonished to discover I was outside.  All reason told me I should be in my yard but this place didn’t look like my yard.  It wasn’t long before I realized I wasn’t alone.  Standing just up ahead was my mother. It couldn’t be though.  My heart caught in my throat as she turned and smiled at me. Confused I looked back the way I had come.  She came to me and embraced me smiling. “What is this place? Am I dreaming, or am I dead? I must be because you are dead!!”  I was getting more freaked out by the minute. 

       “You are not crazy.” she said happily.  “This room is magical.  Whatever your heart wants most you will find here.”  It didn’t make sense. I wanted it to be real.  I rushed forward and hugged my mother.   “Is dad here too?”  I thought to myself or asked aloud, I am not quite sure, and almost instantly he appeared.  My mom smiled again. “Whatever you want the room will provide.  If you think it, it will be.”   “Holy $hit! This is huge!” I exclaimed as they joined me in a fit of giggles.

 

    The room provided comfortable outdoor furniture and after hugging my dad, we sat down.    With tears in my eyes and joy in my heart, I told them both how much I had missed them and about everything that had happened since I had seen them last: all about my children, my pets, and my husband.  I didn’t want to leave the room or them, but time was ticking on.     I could hear the dogs barking in the distance and knew it was time to go.  I took the flashlight and climbed the stairs back into the closet looking back at the glimmer of light as I went wondering if they would be there if I explored the room again or if I would find something else entirely different.

       The clock on my bedside table confirmed I had been inside the room most of the day.  I went about my task sorting clothes and putting them in their place careful to leave the trap door exposed.  In the darkness a glimmer of light could be seen at the back of the closet.   My heart gladdened to know they had never truly ever left me, and when I needed them most I need only open my closet door and follow the light until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.