Tag Archives: Fiction Series

August 19, 2016

Seasoning – Part 7

By Kat Myrman

“Far, far away Soria Moria Palace shimmered like Gold” by Theodor Kittelsen


Hannah followed Helen past the kitchen through a breezeway that flanked the back of the house. She paused to gaze at the garden.

“I hope your green thumbs are up to the challenge dear!” Helen walked back to Hannah. “Breaks my heart to see it like this. You know, back when I was growing up, my grandmother raised climbing rose bushes over there,” she pointed at a weather worn teak arbor. “And my mum, when she had charge of the grounds, filled the raised beds with herbs and plants suitable for teas and tinctures. Our pantry’s rafters were full of drying plant bundles!

Hannah smiled as she imagined the life that once thrived in the weed tangled, overgrown mess. “I love herb gardens. We had one at Waverly, and a vegetable garden too. Every meal my mother prepared included something from the garden. And I remember too, when my sister and I couldn’t sleep, mother would take a bunch of lavender and crush the buds between her fingertips before fluffing our pillows.”

“Ah, your mother was a wise woman. I don’t have any plans for the garden, Hannah. Consider it your special project.” Helen motioned Hannah to the end of the hall.

“Well here you are.” Helen opened the door. “Make yourself at home. Tonight, a surprise! I’m cooking! Dinner is in an hour!”

Henry had retreated to his room after his rude outburst. Exhausted, he threw himself over the bed, soon tossing into fitful, restless sleep, haunted by a recurring nightmare. In it, he was a boy gazing at an elusive city that always glowed just past the horizon despite his attempts to reach it. Happiness resided there. And somehow he sensed his Alice was there too.

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This is the seventh installment of a series in response to Jane Dougherty’s Weekly Microfiction Challenge. This week’s prompt is the painting, “Far, far away Soria Moria Palace shimmered like Gold” by Theodor Kittelsen. It is based on a Norwegian fairy tale that you can read by clicking HERE.

Find  previous installments HERE. 

25 Comments   |  tags: , , , | posted in Challenges and Writing Prompts, Fiction Series, Under 300 Words

August 14, 2016

Seasoning – Part 6

By Kat Myrman

Seasoning – Part 6

It had been a stormy day. As the taxi rounded the curve at the edge of Waverly Estate, a beautiful full rainbow graced the dark skies in the distance. Hannah just knew it was a sign that her dreams were coming true. The whole world was opening up to her. She settled into her seat, leaning her head against the window, taking it all in as the taxi headed to the city.

Henry was not happy with his sister.

“How dare you come here unannounced and take it upon yourself to manage my life as if you know what I need! You’ve crossed the line this time Helen. When this person arrives, you can send her right back where she came from. I have no use for her, or for you. And don’t get too comfortable here. I expect you to make arrangements to leave on the next train!”

“Well Henry, that is simply not an option. I’m protecting my own interest in this home as well you know. I refuse to let you run it into the ground! Our parents, and their parents before them would be heartbroken over how you’ve let things go. I’ll not have it! And you, dear brother need to get a grip. It’s been three years Henry! Alice, and yes I’ll say her name…Alice would be so sad to see you like this!”

The doorbell chimed.

“Remember what I said Henry,” Helen admonished as she glanced through the window at the taxi at the curb, “I expect you to be cordial to this young woman.

Helen opened the door while Henry scowled, arms crossed, in the parlor.

“Hello Hannah dear, i hope you didn’t encounter that awful storm on your trip. So nice to finally meet you in person!”

“Hello Mrs. Chambers.”

“Please call me Helen.”

Hannah smiled, “Hello Helen. And no, we missed the storm! Actually there was the most beautiful rainbow…” Hannah’s escalating enthusiasm faded slightly as she glimpsed a sullen Henry standing in the parlor.

Helen followed her glance, “Hannah, this is my brother Henry. He lives here. I’m just visiting as you know, and plan to stay until you’re comfortable with your duties.”

Henry stepped forward ignoring Hannah’s extended hand. “To be clear Miss, your presence here is my meddling sister’s doing. I have no need for a housekeeper or gardener or whatever else it is that she’s hired you to do. I take my meals out and work long hours. You and I will get on as long as I don’t see or hear you.” Henry glared at his sister as he stormed out of the room.

Hannah flashed a confused look toward Helen who chuckled, “Don’t pay him any mind Hannah. He’ll warm up to the idea, and to you soon enough. Let’s get you settled in your quarters.

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Installment #6 of a fiction series prompted by Jane Dougherty’s Microfiction Challenge and this Rainbow painting. You can read other installments HERE and scrolling to the series named Seasoning. 

18 Comments   |  tags: , , | posted in Challenges and Writing Prompts, Fiction Series, Short Stories (300+ Words)

August 6, 2016

Seasoning – Part 5

By Kat Myrman

Vincent Van Gogh’s Avenue of Poplars

“I will Henry. You know I will.” Helen clucked while lifting her teacup from the saucer to blow the dust off. “Your situation has gotten entirely out of hand Henry. I know that if she were here…”

“Don’t you dare speak her name! You can’t possibly know what she would have wanted. What she wanted, what I wanted, what we both wanted was a long happy life together!”

“I don’t mean to be insensitive Henry…”

“Yes you do Helen! I told you, suit yourself. I’m finished.” Henry stood up to leave the room.

“Well Henry you should know I’ve made arrangements to employ a housekeeper. She’s coming today and starts her duties on Monday. I do expect you to be cordial. She will be staying in the guest wing. I understand that she not only cooks and cleans, but also has an affinity for gardening. By the looks of things out back, she will have her hands full.”

Henry stood motionless.

“A thank you is commonly uttered by the receiving party at this point. Honestly Henry you are a bloody mess. My visit did not come a minute too soon. By the way, I’m staying as well, until Hannah, that’s her name, gets things running smoothly.”

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Across town Hannah swept her long brown hair into a twist on the top of her head. Her bags had been sent ahead to her new assignment.

She had spoken briefly with Helen who explained that she would be working for her brother Henry, a widower, providing cleaning and cooking as well as tending to the garden.

Gardening was Hannah’s first love. She grew up on the grounds of the Waverly Estate in a quaint server’s cottage with her parents. Her mother ran all of the household affairs and her father kept the grounds. She learned housekeeping from her mother and dutifully assisted her when she was old enough, but it was in the garden with her father that she discovered her true calling.

This, her first solo charge, was a dream come true! She donned her overcoat, kissed her parents goodbye, and headed through the towering poplar trees along the driveway to the street where a taxi waited.

 

 

This is installment number 5 of a continuing series for Jane Dougherty’s Microfiction Challenge. Read previous parts HERE.

 

14 Comments   |  tags: , , | posted in Challenges and Writing Prompts, Fiction Series, Random Thoughts and Musings, Short Stories (300+ Words)

July 22, 2016

Seasoning – Part 3

By Kat Myrman

else_berg_jongen_met_speelgoeddieren

Helen was worried about her little brother. The family hadn’t heard from him in months. He stopped coming to holiday gatherings and never answered his phone. Enough was enough! Being 10 years his senior, she knew Henry’s brooding tendencies quite well. Even as a baby he barely smiled. It wasn’t until he met Alice that his countenance changed.

Helen booked a ticket on the next train ensuring that she would arrive on a Saturday when Henry was home.

As the taxi hugged the curb, she was startled to see that the house had fallen into minor disrepair. The average person wouldn’t notice of course, but Helen knew how meticulous Henry was about his boxwood hedges and lawn edging. She rang the bell three times before hearing movement behind the door.

As Henry opened the door, squinting from the sunlight, he stepped back a stride when he realized who had come to call. “Helen! You’re here!”

“Yes little brother, I am. You look like crap!” She pushed past Henry sending a cloud of dust into the stale air; more dust as she pulled the drapes open. “Get me some tea Henry, will you? I’m parched!”

kat ~ 22 July 2016
(194 Words)

A third installment in the series for Jane Dougherty’s Microfiction Challenge based on the painting above by Else Berg. Read the first two installments of this story by clicking HERE and scrolling to the story called Seasoning.

 

23 Comments   |  tags: , , , | posted in Challenges and Writing Prompts, Flash Fiction, Short Stories (300+ Words), Under 300 Words

July 16, 2016

Seasoning – Part 2

By Kat Myrman

It had been three winters, three springs, summers, and autumns. The seasons melded together without her light there to breathe life into them.

Henry spent his days working from darkest dawn to waning dusk, the minutes gnawing at his heart, tumbling into hours, days, years. Grief is an unwelcome squatter that has overstayed its visit.

He ate his meals out, avoiding the kitchen when he was home. Dust had settled like a soft wooly sheath on the furniture and floated in the streams of sunlight that slipped through the shuttered curtains.

Henry managed to keep up appearances in public with a ready smile and affirming nod. From the outside he appeared to be getting on with life. The house too held its facade intact with its gleaming white-washed siding and welcoming portico.

Those who ventured past the gate though, realized something was amiss. The garden, once vibrant with fragrant blossoms, had been overtaken by thistles and brambles.

“I must see to the garden,” Henry often mused. In truth, he had grown accustomed to the weeds.

kat – 16 July 2016
(175 Words)

Part 2 of Jane Dougherty’s Microfiction Challenge inspired this week by this painting, La Porte by Henri Duhem. You can other Parts HERE.

13 Comments   |  tags: , , | posted in Fiction Series, Flash Fiction, Under 300 Words