“What’s this, Grammy?” Pearla’s granddaughter, Ella, squatted on the old hutch, something wooden in her hand.
“Ah. That’s the lovespoon Grampy brought back from Wales.”
Ella retrieved another piece. “An’ this one?”
“A model plane your Daddy-”
“An’ this one?”
“Aunt Michelle’s locket from-”
“An’ this one?”
Pearla laughed and kissed the curly-haired forehead. “Slow down, Ella, dear.”
“Sorry, Grammy.” Ella pulled something from the shadows. “An’ this one?”
“That’s-” Pearla choked; whispered, “Those were your Aunt Ella’s.” Taking and returning the tiny baby shoes, Pearla took the living Ella’s hands, instead. “What do you think about making cookies?”
Captured for Carrot Ranch‘s prompt: hutch
January 2, 2019, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about something found in a hutch. It can be any kind of hutch — a box for critters or a chest for dishes. Go where the prompt leads!
Respond by January 7, 2019. Use the comment section to share, read, and be social. You may leave a link, pingback, or story in the comments. If you want to be published in the weekly collection, please use the form. Rules & Guidelines.
Photo Credit: Image by Rotaru Florin from Pixabay
©2020 Chelsea Owens
Chel Owens 
Well done. Like if Hemingway had 93 more words.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow. Thanks, D.
LikeLike
This is beautiful, Chelsea, but very sad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Robbie. It’s what came from writing Pearla.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 emotional!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re telling me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So sad but well written, Chelsea 🙂 x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Carol.
LikeLike
That choked me up, Chelsea. I could feel the spritely innocence of the inquisitive child brushing up against an unhealed loss. Well written.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Charli.
LikeLike
A sad take on “for sale, baby shoes, never worn”
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right. I’d forgotten that one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
*that idea
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have reminded me of those in the family who did not live… The children that died too young… and from a time that nothing was left to remember them by. I have a small gold ring that used to have an initial on it that was my MIL’s – it was supposed to be for a sister that perhaps was born before her, but did not live. MIL wore it all of her life…until close to the end when it no longer fit…
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤ I’m fairly certain the story came to me because of my grandmother’s daughter who only lived a few days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A touching story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Norah. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person