"Shana, are you even listening to me?" I stopped typing on my phone, raising my head to glare at my mother.
"No Mum. I wasn't listening but if it makes you feel any better. I never listen to a word you say."
My mother folded her arms, a frown marring her face. She was beautiful or at least I think she would have been in her past years.
But with the endless night shifts she had to work and dealing with me everyday the years had taken its toll on her.
"I said you are coming with me to the museum today."
I dropped my phone angrily standing to my feet, "No I am not. I am not spending the night surrounded by boring paintings and items that I do not care where they have been plus those creepy gnomes that always look like they are watching me."
"Well that is not my problem. I cannot trust you not to do something dumb so you are coming with me to the museum for my night shift. End of story."
I watched her walk away. It wasn't alway like this. There was a time when it was the two of us against the world, a time when my father was in the picture. He walked out of my life when I was eight, leaving my mum alone to raise me.
I knew I caused her pain, everytime I argued or stomped my feet, I hurt her but I just couldn't stop.
I was so angry. Angry at my father, angry at her for not fighting, for giving up so easily, angry at myself for being so angry and angry at the world.
Later that night, as I stared at the text messages from my friends, excitedly talking about the party at Blake's house, I was angry at the museum for simply existing.
"Shana, I am going to be at the other side of the museum. If you get hungry-"
I interrupted her, rolling my eyes, "I know where to find food. She looked at me sadly before walking away.
The museum was quiet. Different paintings hung on the walls, Jeweleries in showcases, old artifacts, priceless that probably cost more than the house we lived in and then there were those creepy gnomes that I felt were always watching me.
I didn't really pay attention in class but I had once heard my art teacher call objects like this, a name in french, objets d'art.
I got tired of scrolling through my phone so I closed my eyes hoping sleep would come and take me out of my misery.
Unfortunately that didn't happen. At exactly 11: 52pm, my stomach rumbled. I got up heading to the little cabinet where my mum kept the snacks. I stuffed a bar of chocolate down my throat and then the clock struck midnight. Suddenly there was a flash of light.
I stood for a minute wondering what was wrong but then nothing happened. I sighed as I made my way back to my makeshift bed. I heard a whisper, "Shhhh, she will hear you."
I looked around, "Who is there?"
Quiet followed so I continued walking.
"Levi, she will hear you", the voice said again.
I glanced around fear creeping in. I know no one was supposed to be in the museum. "This isn't funny, whoever you are, come out."
"Down here."
I looked down at my feet and one of the gnomes stood at my feet, smiling and waving.
"Hi, I'm Levi."
I screamed, stumbling backwards. "Hey, don't be scared. I promise I am friendly."
I was still on the floor scrambling backwards, "Don't come near me."
Two other gnomes jumped off the shelf. One of them spoke, "I'm Mathias. Forgive my brother, I told him that he would scare you but I promise we mean you no harm.
"How? What? How? When? Why? How are you talking?"
Mathias smiled, "The same way you are."
"But you are an object. You are not supposed to be alive."
The last gnome spoke up, "Look around."
I did. The objects were moving about the museum.
"I'm Eli. Every night at midnight we are given life and then just before the break of dawn we return to objects."
I blinked, "But why and how?"
"Because the gods know that even objects want to live."
Levi stepped forward, "You hurt yourself. I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
"It's fine." I managed to stand to my feet.
"Does my mum know about you?"
"We don't really like to show ourselves to people but everytime you pass our shelf, you frown. You look very sad but not sadder than the security guard that is always crying."Levi said
"What security guard?" They jumped up and down, "Come we will show you!.
They led me to the otherside of the museum.
I stood behind the wall as we watched tears falling down her cheeks.
She does this every night she is on duty."
"She is watching videos of us before my dad left." I whispered.
My heart broke and I felt all the anger fade away.
I watched her for a few minutes, the tears threatening to fall. Before I knew it I was crying. "Are you okay?"
I cleaned my eyes, " Not really. I've been so dumb."
Mathias patted my legs, "Everyone does dumb things, you just have to make it right."
I threw my mum one last glance before leaving.
The next few hours, the gnomes talked about all the places they had been, all the people they had seen, and hearing about it was better than any party I could have attended that would have only ended with me doing something even more dumb.
I opened my eyes as I felt a gentle tap on my leg. My mum came into vision.
"It's time to go."
Without a second thought, I threw my hands around her whispering how sorry I was.
She gasped in surprise but hugged me back.
The next day as she prepared to leave for work, I rushed out.
She looked at me confused, "What are you doing? "I'm coming with you to work"
"Don't you want to go out with your friends?"
"Not really and I was thinking, maybe we could go and get ice cream together like we used to.
She smiled with surprise written all over her face, "I would really love that."
As we walked towards the road to get a cab I turned to her and held her hand, "Thank you for not leaving."
I stared at the clock waiting for it to strike midnight. When it did nothing happened.
I sighed. "I knew I was dreaming."
"Dreaming about what?" Levi said as he jumped in front of me.
I smiled, "Dreaming of a better life."
And so from that day on, I visited the museum every night and I told my mum I loved her every day since then.
This is such a lovely script. I love the way the objects served as a unifier for the lad and her mum, creating a stronger bond between both
What a beautiful reunion. The protagonist needed to see that she was not the only one suffering the effects of her father leaving and that the only way to overcome it is together.
What a brilliant take on the prompt, which sees the figures that our main character finds creepy evolving into the heroes of the story. This is a heartfelt tale, with wonderful action and dialogue. Thank you for sharing your story with us, and for your engagement with other members of the community.
What a perfect reunion! Your story is lovely to read.