the woman in the faded dress (30 day writing challenge story one)

With her faded dress and worn shoes, she knew she couldn't go

She couldn’t go without them even though the damage that they had done was so heartbreaking. They were only children yet the damage they did was unforgiven. The shoes were worn down from the constant screaming and chasing after them. The dress faded because of the constant washes it had to go through. But at last, the day was here. The day she dreaded and prayed for and longed for.

But yet she felt sad. Sad for the children, sad for the big house that soon will be quiet once more, sad for the farmyard animals that will no longer be tormented by the children and sad for herself.

Sad that she had gotten used to them. Sad that she grew to love the children as her own. But now it is time for the children to switch homes to a much better place. A home with both a father and mother. A home with four walls, warmth and food and accompanied by undying unconditional love.

“Children? Children, it is time for you to gather your things and go.” The exhausted and sad young woman shouted up the stairs. For five minutes there was no reply. No answer. “Children, did you hear me? I said it's time for you to get ready to go to your new home and family.”

She called out to them as she trailed her hand up the banister and walked.

“Children?” she questioned again. As she paused for a short moment in front of the open hallway. It was quiet in the house for the first time since the children’s abrupt and strange arrival that cold crisp October night.

She held her breath and hand started to shake. Her mind racing negative thoughts of what the children could have done or could be doing. Then a loud crash in the nursery interrupted her train of thought.

The crash was followed shortly by giggles and laughter. The young woman opened the door to the nursery to see all six children on the floor and all around them there were toys and clothing.

As soon as the woman stepped into the room. The room was silent and for a moment the children looked at her in fear of a punishment. But instead of a punishment a chuckle and smile came from the woman. “Oh, children, we don't have time to play games. Soon they will arrive. And you all must be ready to go.”

(Word limit wasn't met, add on writing beyond this point.)

she looked at the children with profound sadness. she did not know when she had become attached to the children and when she had started to consider them her own. granted she knew in the beginning when the children came to be in her care. she had treated them fairly. she regrets that now. when she looks at the children now, she sees all the cruel things she had done them.

"Children? can you ever forgave me for the way I had treated you in the beginning?"

the children were shocked. they tried to grasp what the woman was asking. the children did not respond. woman sighed.

"I know what I am asking is a lot and that asking for forgiveness for what I had done is wrong but, in the beginning, I thought of you children as burdens and waste of space. because of the way you all had been left to me. You got to understand there was no warning and I had no time to prepare for your arrival and I had to do with what I had at hand. and I know in the beginning that is rough and harsh. and that me being in the state that I was in was not good for you children.

but a few months after you had been in my care for a year. I realized what you were here for. you were here to straighten me up and help me out and I was meant to protect you and love you. I know now that I have failed."

The woman walked towards the desk in the center of the room which was untouched by any of the children due it being off limits. The woman removed a golden chain off of her neck and on it dangling was a single key. she grasped the key in her hand and adjusted it, so it was aligned with the lock drawer in the desk. she unlocked the door and pulled out a small box wrapped in blue with a red bow on it.

The woman walked over to the oldest of the children and handed her the wrapped box.

"If you ever need help for anything there are contacts in her for you to call. my is included alongside my lawyer. this phone will always remain on. I will always pay for it, and it will be upgraded every so often to ensure it is top peak working condition. Please don't ever be afraid to ask for help from anyone on the phone. they are aware of the situation and will help you as much as they possibly can.

now come let's pack up and get ready to go.