“There was only one rule: don’t open the door,” the mom told her young son, as he looked right at the freezer door.
“But I want ice cream… and I thought we had some.”
She stiffened. With a pained expression, she added, “Aw, honey I’m so sorry. I had a rough night and I ate the rest of it last night.” She looked him in the eyes for a half second.
“Really mom? You’re kidding me, right?”
“Ahh, no. Sorry. We’ll get some more soon. But don’t open the fridge, mkay?”
“Why?”
“I’ve gotta figure some things out is all and I just needed the fridge.”
“What are you hiding from me?”
Defensively, she balked up. “Nothing! Just do what you’re told!” She looked like she was going to burst into tears but she didn’t.
“I don’t understand, mom. I just wanna help if I can help.”
“I know, honey.” She rubbed her temples and had a stressed look to her. “Oh, I know how you can help. Lemme’ give you some cash and can you walk up to the dollar general store and get three gallons of bleach?”
“That all?”
“Yes, thanks!”
“Can I get some more ice cream there?” He looked back at the fridge again. He wondered what his mom was up to.
“Sure, a small pint sounds good. You’ll just have to eat it all.”
“What’s the bleach for?”
“You know I use bleach for all kinds of things… like cleaning and such. See you in a bit!” She waved him out of the house. She looked towards the refrigerator door and pursed her lips.
About the Creator
Rowan Finley
Father. Academic Advisor. Musician. Writer. My real name is Jesse Balogh.
Keep reading
More stories from Rowan Finley and writers in Horror and other communities.
Escape Room Experience
There was only one rule: don’t open the door. I thought that I came to the right address of a place to join a group of friends for an escape room experience. The front door had the rule on it but I thought it was a joke so I turned the knob and walked right into my greatest nightmare.
By Rowan Finley about a year ago in Horror
Stories Told At Twilight
A 300-word flash fiction regarding the above image: She never realized the pale blue of her eyes until now. Pressing the palm of her hands against the cold porcelain sink, she sank deeper into her own gaze. Her eyes were not only pale but striking.
By JB Ingland2 days ago in Horror
Wild Card Weekend Recap: What Happens Now?
I think I figured out why I love Wild Card Weekend so much. It's because it's the first playoff anything of the calendar year. The NFL season starts in the fall, and once upon a time, the champion was crowned either on or slightly before New Year's. The evolution of the NFL schedule has resulted in the playoffs starting just into the New Year, and currently, the final week of the season falls on the first weekend of the New Year, with Wild Card Weekend coming a week after that. So yes, chronologically, the NFL's Wild Card Weekend serves as the first playoff anything of the calendar year.
By Clyde E. Dawkins7 days ago in Unbalanced
Comments (3)
Nice! Great opening and wonderful finish Rowan.
Well-wrought! Of course, I'm sure the fridge just needs to be cleaned and she didn't want the young lad to get sick...
Very interesting..ice cream my favorite of all times Well written