“Where have you been?”
“Out on assignment. There’s this street art bike on wall editorial I’m working on. It’s really cool.”
“Have you forgotten that Uncle Lorne’s funeral is today?”
“No, I haven’t forgotten.”
“Well, let’s go then.”
“I’m not going.”
Mona stared at her sister. “What do you mean you’re not going?”
“Just what I said.”
“Why aren’t you going? You always said that he was your favorite uncle.”
“He stopped being my favorite uncle when he started abusing me.”
Mona groaned. “Oh, no. Not you too.”
Rachel’s eyes widened. “You mean…?”
“Yes. He did it to me too.”
100 Words
This post is for the Friday’s Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. You can find this week’s prompt here. To read other stories or to participate, click here.
Notes to Women 
Dear Adele,
Oh those skeletons in the closet. How mightily and prolifically they fall. Love how you dovetailed from the bicycle into an unexpected story. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Yes, there are definitely skeletons in the closet. Thank you :).
Shalom,
Adele
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A terrible event.
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Yes, it is.
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Adele,
I believe statistics show most sexual abuse of children are by family members, not strangers. It takes years for these children to understand their feelings of guilt and shame and realize they are the victims of predators. Your story raises awareness of this reality.
pax,
dora
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Dora, you’re right. The abusers are more often family members or friends of the family. And it does take a long time for the abused not to feel guilty and ashamed for the abuse they have suffered. Many of them are afraid to say anything for fear of not being believed. Abuse is something that should be addressed and victims should never ever be made to feel like it is their fault.
Peace,
Adele
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As Pink Floyd sings, “There’s a lot of it about.” I daresay there is at least one in every family tree 😦
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Unfortunately, stories like this are real for many people.
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p.s. Apt title for the story also.
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Thanks. I wanted to come up with a name that tied in with the prompt as well as the subject matter. The cycle in this case has been broken only because the abuser is dead but sadly, in so many families it continues.
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You’re welcome.
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🙂
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Maybe they both should stay home.
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Maybe they should.
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At least it’s not a secret anymore.
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I liked the title, which both linked to the prompt and conveyed the idea of the persistence of abuse in a family. I’m glad your two sisters were able to confront their pain and share it. I guess that will help the healing process.
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Thanks, Penny. I wanted to think of a title which would cover the prompt and the subject matter. Yes, the sisters will be able to confront the abuse they both suffered which will help them to heal.
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Terrible. Definitely best not to go.
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By “terrible” I meant what happened to them, not your story which was great 🙂
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Gotcha 🙂 Thanks. Am happy you thought the story was great.
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I have a feeling that neither of them will go.
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