Gift From Heaven

Written for https://mymindmappings.com/2025/07/22/fowc-with-fandango-glower/

Her mum’s stare was like a glower from a volcano before it erupted.

Joy gripped her school bag, acutely aware she was over an hour later than she promised. Her thoughts hunted for The bus was late? She tried that one last time, and she ended up being grounded for two weeks.

‘Sorry, Mum, it’s …’ she mumbled, hoping for a gift from heaven.

Her rucksack, heavy with withered roses, hid the truth of her visit. She moved into the comfortable hallway, dumping it on the doormat. She wasn’t in the mood for another argument. Somehow, that’s all they did these days.

‘You probably want your football kit washed.’

‘No, leave it that’s mine!’

As she scrambled, dead flowers littered the carpet.

‘You went to the cemetery? Is that what you’ve been doing?’

‘Just wanted to speak to Dad. Got picked for the team. Please don’t be angry.’

Brought into shaking arms, she felt a stream of tears on her face.

‘Sweetheart, no. I miss him too.’

‘But, you are divorced, I thought …’

‘We’re allowed to be sad.’

Snuggled into the soft jumper, she relaxed into her mum’s soft shoulders.