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Patricia L. Atchison

YA Fiction & Non Fiction Author

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Short Stories

The Attic

June 25, 2020 By Patricia Atchison 2 Comments

(Playing with a five-minute sprint writing technique, this is a short piece of FICTION I wrote.)

As I climbed up into the stuffy attic, a billowing fog of dust rose and tickled my nose, making me sneeze. A circa 1800’s setting greeted me, sepia-toned, with huge pirate-like treasure chests haphazardly placed throughout the enclosed space. Memories rose, and my heart fluttered with intense feelings of longing. This space somehow reminded me of the childhood I never had.

My index finger traced the etchings on one of the wooden chests. I tugged at the latch and flipped the solid lid open. It creaked with argument after being closed for so many years. A mohair teddy bear and antique doll lay on top of a stack of colourful checkered tablecloths and quilted bedding.

When I placed my hand on the teddy bear, a beam of sunlight shone through the attic window. A vignette played before my eyes showing a young woman sitting on a rocking chair. A little girl sat on her lap, her tiny head rested against her Mother’s chest. The light reflected against the soft blond curls framing the woman’s round face. She read a dog-eared book to the child whose little fingers fidgeted with the edge of the stained apron her Mother wore. I wiped the wetness from my eyes before the tears streaked down my cheeks. The scene in front of me represented everything I wanted from a mother, but not what I received growing up.

Shifting my gaze, I noticed an antique dresser standing behind the chest. The mirror on top of it, crusted with dust, invited me over for a closer look. I swiped across the glass to remove some of the grime. My reflection showed an adult with greying hair and a face that wore wrinkles from frowning too much throughout life. Beside me stood myself as a little girl, her reflection one of innocence and youth. I slid an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to my side. She needed the love that I could offer now because she never had it growing up.

While sunlight played across our features, we stared into the mirror, mourning that which we never received.

Filed Under: Short Stories, Uncategorized Tagged With: Five-Minute Writing Sprint, Short Story

AWAKENED BY SILENCE (An ACROSTIC STORY)

November 21, 2019 By Patricia Atchison Leave a Comment

Authors Note: An ACROSTIC STORY is arranged alphabetically with twenty-six sentences. Starting the story with the letter A, each sentence progresses through the alphabet ending with the letter Z. Using this method, the author must tell a complete story.

AWAKENED BY SILENCE

by Patricia L. Atchison (From archives 10/2/2003)

Awakened by silence, Jodie wondered why the television was quiet. By now she should have been warned by the automatic alarm. Calmly she reached for her cane.

Photo by Simone Dalmeri on Unsplash

“Dusty, where are you boy?”

Edging off the recliner, Jodie moved the cane from side to side and crossed the living room. Fear was something she wouldn’t give into until she heard a noise that made her catch her breath.

Growling from the hallway meant Dusty was on guard duty.

“Hey boy, what is it?”

Intense images floated across her mind like a slide show. Jodie swallowed, afraid of becoming another statistic like the stories you hear on the news.

Knocking her cane against opposite walls, Jodie made her way toward the dog. Leopard-like she moved cautiously, careful not to trip over Dusty, even though she knew he’d have moved long before she was ever in any danger.

Maybe it’s nothing, the common sense side of her brain kicked into overtime, thinking logically. Needless worry, that’s all. Overconfident now, she stopped at the front door. Patting the air around her thighs, she made contact with her canine companion and tugged his collar.

“Quiet Dusty!”

Reacting to the command, the dog wined and became silent. Seizing courage, Jodie asked if anyone was there.

Photo by Jonathan Simcoe on Unsplash

“Thank God you’re alright. Undo the lock Jodie and let your dear Mother in, as I bet you didn’t even know there was a power outage in this area.”

Various thoughts passed through Jodie’s mind, while she unlatched the door and opened it.

“Wipe that look off your face and let me pass. X-ray vision is what that dog needs instead of snorting behind the door. You should have heard him growl at me as if I were a total stranger.”

Zany with emotion, Jodie dropped to her knees and whispered into Dusty’s ear, “You should’ve bitten her when you had the chance.”  ~ The End ~

Filed Under: Short Stories, Uncategorized Tagged With: Sample of an Acrostic Story, short story by Author Patricia L. Atchison

Somewhere in France (1916 WW1) – Postcards Home

November 5, 2019 By Patricia Atchison

My Grandmother, Mary Jane, nicknamed Queenie, is the daughter of Edgar Kelly, who enlisted in the Canadian Army Service Corps (C.A.S.C.) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on February 12, 1915, and served in the 3rd Canadian Divisional Train, C.A.S.C.

The 3rd Canadian Division arrived in France by January 1916 and provided supply services, transportation, and a support element to the many other Canadian Divisional Train troops who found their way to The Front (France) during the First World War between 1915 and 1920. Promoted to Staff Sergeant Major 1st Class Warrant Officer on December 14, 1916, Kelly served in the 10th Canadian Field Ambulance Division from March 3rd, 1917, until he was discharged by Reason of Demobilization on April 1st, 1919.

WW1 Postcard Private CollectionThe families of the troops relied heavily on letters and communication from their loved ones during the war, and Queenie was no different. From 1914 to 1918, postcards were sent throughout the world and had worldwide popularity. Families and soldiers avidly sent and collected these small non-descript notes from home and cherished them with love. Canadian soldiers waited over three weeks to a month for news from home, as the mail was processed through England first. [Read more…] about Somewhere in France (1916 WW1) – Postcards Home

Filed Under: Short Stories, Uncategorized, Whimsical Stories Tagged With: Patricia L. Atchison Short Story, World War 1 PostCards

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