Welcome to Candles
Jimson visits each guest in turn, helping them settle in.
Marta’s bruises are fading.
“My own bedroom and private bath! Fragrant lotions and soaps. Morning light. No one slapping me or pulling out my hair. It’s like a fairy tale.”
She throws her arms around Jimson who gently hugs her back. He remembers her monstrous husband and shudders.
Tucker still trembles a little.
“Too many windows. Dragged my mattress into the closet, pulled blankets over my head. Can barely hear the bombs and people screaming. Almost safe now.”
Jimson draws the heavy curtains and Tucker tentatively opens the closet door a little wider. Jimson’s eyes fill with compassion for the man who daily relives the horrors of war.
Laslow is no longer a skeleton.
He sighs contentedly.
“Incredible food! Salmon cakes with dill sauce, steamed asparagus, blueberry cobbler. And those artistic menus on the food trays! Reading the names of the dishes out loud is almost as good as eating them.”
Jimson smiles, grateful to be able to share his culinary passions with this man who had never had enough to eat – until now.
Philomena greets Jimson with bare feet.
“My first act of freedom was to remove my shoes and dance all night. My second act will be to wear my own designs when I give my gratitude recital.”
She eagerly shows Jimson her sketches of flowing pastels. Her birth family was wealthy and privileged, but had paralyzed her creative spirit.
A timid knock announces the out-of-work husband and pregnant wife. The nursery suite is ready. How nice it will be to have a baby in the house again!
Jimson throws the front door open.
“Any room for a couple of wanderers?” The husband looks exhausted, but happy.
“Welcome home, my friends.”
Jimson’s kindness is a reflection of his late father’s generosity. The will had turned Candles, the family estate, into a special haven. Tomorrow Jimson would issue the final invitation. But for now, he must show Marie and Tomas to their rooms.
“Are you hungry?” Jimson asks the new arrivals, already planning the festive homecoming feast.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GooglePerhaps I was being pessimistic, but I kept thinking that something horrid would happen. So glad it didn’t and that the main character only reflected kindness.
Hello Margarida, and thanks for reading and commenting. This story was based on a dream I had a few nights ago. When I woke up I remembered a man with sandy hair and freckles inviting strangers who had been mistreated or traumatized in some way to share his family estate. In the dream his name was Jimson, which I thought was a great name! I took parts of the dream as a… Read more »
An interesting story, Fuji. Not many people would be so altruistic in his position. Would he like another guest?
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleHello Carrie – I don’t think Jimson is being altruistic, really. I think he has been very lonely in that big house by himself and longs for deep interactions with others. He was especially glad that there would be a baby in the house again. Wonder what the “again” refers to? Let’s see what he has to say when we tune in next time.
Hello, Fuji. I really enjoyed this tale of kindness. No matter what the character’s motive is. It is still an act of kindness. So, I adore him. Well done.
I’m sorry to be so late for reading and commenting on the stories under this theme, Fuji. I just read your answers to the other comments here and have to say, “What a wonderful dream!” I believe in dreams’ symbolic significances and my interpretation is that it comes from your own open heart and mind and an unusual generosity. To open your house and invite people with different kinds of needs to… Read more »
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleChrister, thanks so much for responding and adding your own important voice to this question of overcoming trauma, defining generosity and/or altruism, and other topics I’m exploring with Jimson and his newly created family. I also believe in the power of dreams and always pay attention to mine. Sometimes they are just free entertainment, but sometimes they have profound messages. Jimson has become a close friend, even though he is a fictional… Read more »
I forgot to answer your last question, Christer. No, I haven’t published anything outside of Voice Club. I prefer flash fiction to anything longer, both for reading and for writing. I find that the essence of a person or scene or event can be told in a few choice words and leave a lasting imprint in the mind of a reader. Longer stories and novels often leave me wishing for brevity! I… Read more »
Fuji, I will take a page from your book. Using a dream as a starting point can go into any direction. A complicated situation may or may not lead to an outcome, resolution. I do like your cast of characters! But mostly, the host who is endearing, has won my heart! Really enjoyed the takeaway from your story!
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you Deborah! I’m a bit late replying to your message, but I truly appreciate your feedback. I’m in the process of completing and submitting two more Candles stories – hope you enjoy them when/if they are published!