Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Entry #122

The Empress Ascends
by Frank Coughlin


The Empress sat in her throne wondering and waiting. She liked the throne which is what her son Michael called her chair. It was small like her and over the years she had worn her own personal groove into its padding. It fit her.

She thought of Michael, remembering the day he changed her name from Queen (actually Queen Bitch) to Empress.

“I am giving you a promotion,” he said, “you deserve it for putting up with me.”

A tear came to her eye. A mother should never outlive her child. A mother should never hold her dying son in her arms. But that was years ago and time should help you forget. Only now she want to remember, now she wanted some reason to go on. Her body ached constantly a combination of sciatica, arthritis, and bone loss. She could not sleep anymore and only this chair gave her relief.

Her eyes slowly closed, her breathing slowed and there was a deep quiet in the house. When she opened them again, he was there, sitting on the couch gazing at her. He got up and moved toward her, extending his hand.

“Let me help you,” he said. The Empress wore a dazed expression but did not speak. Instead, she let him help her out of the chair.

As if by some miracle, her steps became easier and by the time they reached the escalator, she could walk on her own.

“Thank you, Michael,” she said as she ascended.

15 comments:

JR's Thumbprints said...

Ahhh... the irony. To be able to walk by the time she approached the escalator.

McKoala said...

Beautiful title, beautiful story.

Esther Avila said...

That was sweet.
Michael was there in the end...
Good job.

Lena said...

One sweet beautiful story. well expressed!

Sameera Ansari said...

That was moving!Good one :)

K.Lawson Gilbert said...

Great ending. Lots of story in so few words.

laughingwolf said...

the freedom of death....

Margaret said...

The love between Mother & son expressed beautifully...right to the end...

jaz said...

Sweet story. Love this:

Her body ached constantly a combination of sciatica, arthritis, and bone loss

Nice detail.

BernardL said...

Uplifting

Catherine Vibert said...

This is going to be in my top five. Your story brought tears to my eyes, beautifully written, beautiful theme, real. This piece really stands out.

bluesugarpoet said...

The prince escorts the Empress home - very lovely! Beautiful story. - jana

SzélsőFa said...

Touching story, indeed.

Sarah Hina said...

The idea of her sitting, and waiting, in that chair, until it became a part of her, is really moving. Love the relationship described here--you offer us a lot of depth with carefully chosen details.

Beautiful, inspired take, Frank. They'll climb together.

Anonymous said...

Great job with pacing, storytelling, and voice!

Thanks for being a wonderful part of the contest!