Hiding

About a family relationship and the secrets they keep from one another. 299 Words

Word Count: 299

Shirley sat alone in her living room, listening to the slow drip of the kitchen faucet. Three weeks. That was how long it had been since she had seen her daughter Dawn, who lived only five miles away.

Lung cancer had reduced Shirley’s world to doctor visits and the small house she shared with her oldest daughter, Terry. But Terry had gone home for the weekend to see her husband. Shirley finally called Dawn.

“It would be nice if you stopped by once in a while.”

“I’m busy, Mom. I think I have the flu. Besides, Terry takes care of you.”

“Terry’s away. Would you please come see me?”

“I’m just not up to it.”

“Then I’ll drive over and see you.”

Dawn’s voice changed immediately. “You had better not come here without my permission. If you do, I’ll call the police.”

Shirley stared at the phone. “That’s ridiculous.”

“I don’t want you here, and that’s final.”

The click ended the conversation.

When Terry returned Sunday night, Shirley told her what had happened. Furious, Terry called her sister and received the same warning.

Then Terry asked, “Dawn, what are you hiding?”

Silence.

The next morning, Terry drove Shirley to Dawn’s house anyway. Dawn opened the door only a few inches, but it was enough. Behind her were towers of newspapers, boxes, clothes, and garbage. Only a narrow path disappeared into the darkness. The smell reached them before Dawn could close the door.

Shirley suddenly understood. Dawn had not been rejecting her. She had been hiding. Shirley's eyes filled with tears as she reached through the doorway and took her daughter’s hand.

“You should have told us.”

Dawn began to cry.

For the last three weeks, shame had kept the door closed. That morning, they opened it together.