She
saw a man, weeping, leading his pregnant fiancé through the snow. It was only a moment before they vanished, but she swears it was true.
The box of wine fell from her hand, bloodied the snow creeping to the edge of her porch. She didn’t remember stumbling inside, found herself in front of a fire made of week-old newspapers. It wasn’t cleaned—smoke slunk through her home—but she didn’t care.
Her rosary was in her hand, as well. What a jacked-up life, she thought. Jealous of the god-damned Big Man Himself, and unable to ever know his ever-virgin wife.
The rosary pointed outward where it met the bulge of her womb. She sobbed uncontrollably, cursing the lover who discarded her, praying for the strength to live out her own involuntary perpetual virginity.
(This story is part of Loren Eaton's Advent Ghosts flash-fiction contest. See others at http://isawlightningfall.blogspot.com/2010/12/advent-ghosts-2010-stories.html)
posted by Chestertonian Rambler @ 2:10 PM
13 comments
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13 Comments:
A curious story. I'm not sure what to make of it. It's as if Mary sees another woman who looks like Mary and curses the Catholic ideal of Mary.
Goodness, CR, this one's heartrending. It hits the tone just right, though. The main character's making so many bad decisions, seems to know it and is mired in her cycle of dissolution when this vision blindsides her.
That makes sense, Loren. I must be slow at this. The woman feels as if she is perpetually pregnant because she is now and has been many times before.
An interesting take on the ghost. I like how briefly the apparitions appear, and how it stirs all these emotions in Mary.
Thought provoking. The unexplained is the most spooky creature of all.
.....dhole
One other thing, Phil. She prays to live out "her own involuntary perpetual virginity," not perpetual pregnancy.
That phrase is the raison d'etre for writing this; it applies specifically in a Catholic setting, where the perpetual virginity of Mary is such an important reason for her preeminence and honor.
I may have already explained too much, but wanted to clear at least that up.
Very intriguing premise, even if I didn't fully follow the pieces, it meant I could extrapolate my own understanding. I loved the images, particularly the spilled wine bloodying the snow.
Involuntary perpetual virginity: I guess I read into that last part then. Probably because I thought she was Mary or a Mary look-alike and consequently would be pregnant.
I tripped over the issue of whether or not this character was pregnant as well. What's really interesting is that I don't think that point changes the meaning much. Fact is she's stuck where she's at, not able to move forward because she's haunted by guilt and regret. Kudos.
Since clicking on your blog by accident I find myself returning often. Thank you for the frequent updates!
Best of Heath and Happiness in 2011!
it's really awesome...
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To my mind, this is tonally perfect. I love how your story draws you down it its main character, fantastic job!
very beautiful!
Wonderful
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