Never Meant To Be (467 hits)
Category: NoneRating: -0.33 on 5 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by <ThineJericho.at.gmail.com> (View user info) at 2005-11-01 21:32:18 EST
The words drifted up from the grate, as the conversation between a young mother and too-soon father turned bitter.
"He was never meant to be"
And with those words, impassioned now by anger, he withdrew from his post of overheard whispers, silently bringing ear far from the metal grid, warm air replacing the cold steel laying against a cheek with new tears.
And he grew.
The grate remained his secret, an open duct that carried the hush of private words, unseen and unknown to his wary dreams.
Did you know, the word ventilate is used both as a verb meaning 'to express opinion,' and the more common usage, 'to circulate air?'
He did.
Just another secret found within the pages of a book read for solace.
So the grate remained open, to air out all the veiled skeletons of a family that was never quite meant to be.
And on the eve of his thirteenth birthday, the whispers began again.
"We can't keep her. You know that. We can't even afford him. Do what we should have done."
The tears once again found quick company between the parallel bars of the iron framework, and he wished. Birthday wishes always come true.
Wished for wings on which to fly away. For true hugs, that never fade. For everything to be ok.
His birthday was a Saturday, his present an amusement park. And it was on the rollercoaster that he stood with arms spread wide, mother's face screaming by his side, and he flew.
He flew as all children can, to a better place, a better land.
And his parents, with eyes masked in grief, whispered again at night with happier voices, smiles hidden behind proper faces.
And the little girl that never was, joined her brother who was never meant to be.
User Reviews
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-11-02 06:00:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I thought it was a bit airy fairy.
Submitted by ThineJericho (user info) at 2005-11-01 23:00:24 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Harry Potter reference, I assume?
The magical wizards and so forth will have your head for a soup bowl soon enough, run along.
Submitted by morontian (user info) at 2005-11-01 22:43:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Good point. Hadn't thought of that.
Oh well.
Submitted by crownofsuns (user info) at 2005-11-01 22:10:09 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Did they lock his trunk full of spellbooks under the stairs on holiday break as well?
Submitted by morontian (user info) at 2005-11-01 22:03:29 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
This was one of the saddest things I have read on this site.
I can only say I'm sorry for not reading and reviewing this half an hour ago. You deserve better.