Short Stories

Once Upon A Time

Once upon a time, we had the best family ever.
And then reality came and that dream shattered.

The alarm blares through the pillows I piled on top of it and I mentally slap myself for even setting an alarm I'm bound to ignore anyway.

My hand searches for my phone til it connects with the cold screen. I press whatever button turned off the alarm and open my eyes to see the shadows on my ceiling.

The sun is rising but the night hasn't left my bedside.

I grudgingly throw my blanket and slide into my bedroom slippers, trudging to the curtains to let in some light.

I look back and the night's still left some shadow friends on my wall.

I sigh and shuffle over to my desk where my journal waits and a devotional book stares back at me like "open and read me already."

I bite my lower lip and contemplate.

"Fine." I mumble to no one.

I open my journal and write...

Day 20
Grandma left yesterday. Grandpa's still at home. Mom and dad are doing their best to work things out but I just can't see how we can take it anymore. I know God is there and I know He works. I know it's on His table and His thoughts are way better but it hurts, you know? It's frustrating. But I guess I have to do my part too, huh? Here it goes...

I open the devotional book and read the random page in front of me.

You are not alone.

I inhale sharply. God, really?

"I will never leave you; I will never forsake you."
Joshua 1:5

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine."
Isaiah 43:1

When you feel alone, you may feel lonely inside and physically lonely. But just know that no matter what situation you are in, you may just "feel lonely but are not alone." You have a Father who loves you, who has a great purpose and future. Just trust in Him. If you feel alone in the situation you are in, know that He gives you strength and comfort to endure. Strengthen your faith.

I close the book and quickly write into my journal, slamming it shut too.

I run my temples and look up at the ceiling as if I could shoot a hole through it and see God in heaven.

"How do you always know?" I whisper with a faint smile.

I get up and go through my routine. I shower, change and head downstairs for breakfast.

I hear no noise, no quarrels, no arguments. Well, that's a sigh of relief after a bit more than two weeks of straight problems and issues.

I eat my cereal silently, pondering the words from my quiet time this morning. And just how do they help fight the shadows that seem to stay? And not just on my walk or bed, but in my family?

I go throughout the day, following my routine and when the doorbell rings, I quickly answer it.

I blink a couple times, wondering if I'm seeing her correctly. "Grandma? I thought you left."

She smile shyly. "I forgot something, dear."

"Oh, uh. Okay." I stutter, letting her inside. I peek out and see the car gone. Mom and dad must be at work.

"Grandpa's out in the backyard." I inform her, looking for any sign of a reaction.

She pauses a bit, and a dreamy glaze covers her eyes. "Ah, yes."

She heads out back and I follow, texting my parents that grandma's home.

The door slides open and she watches grandpa mow the grass.

"I forgot to say I'm sorry." She shouts.

Grandpa stops mowing and looks up at her. "What?"

"I-I'm sorry." She says again, shifting on one foot to the other.

He walks towards her and they hug. "Me too."

I watch from the back door and answer mom's call.

"Yeah, they're okay. Miraculously." I report, looking up at the clear blue sky.

A few hours later, my parents arrive and marvel at the scene in front of them. Grandpa and grandma watching a movie, the issues resolved with long calls to our other relatives.

"Well, God surely did some behind the scene work." Dad says with a relieved smile.

"He sure did." I answer, smiling.

Day 20
(continuation) I'm sure no shadows are left now. And if any try to resettle, well, they'll have to think more than twice about it. I'm amazed at how one reminder for me, and an unconscious prayer and desire led to a miracle. Mom and dad must have been praying too.
Our family had rough fights over the past almost two weeks. But that was once upon a time.