On Saunder’s Hill
The new people make their presence known. Ticking clocks. Television news. Chicken tacos on the kitchen stove.
The townspeople take notice, too.
Today, Fanny is in the orchard picking apples. Her husband, Mr. Dufray is reading a book under the shade of a tree. He wonders how long these people will stay. How much he will have to endure.
The three story Second Empire house sits on Saunder’s Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have done their research. Cupola, classical pediments, paired columns. They like the preservation.
Fanny stands in the kitchen now bringing a pot of water to boil on the wood stove. Mr. Dufray slides past her running a rough hand across her back. He slapped her in the orchard for flirting with a boy at church. Someone her own age. Fanny reaches into the sink. A glass shatters and a small sliver of glass has gutted her finger. The sink is full of blood.
Mrs. Clark is a chef at the Hotel Madison, Mr. Clark an architect. Oh, there are improvements. A half wall here, a new chandelier there. But they keep the integrity. They have so much respect for the man who designed the house - jewel of the county.
One afternoon Mr.Clark stands outside. Some of the trees are incredibly old. He sees a white skirt flutter under an apple tree. A man in wire glasses looks up. The sound of a slap makes Mr. Clark bite his lip and all at once, the light is too light. Back inside he puts on some lonely song from the 60s and it echos through the long hall and up the stairs.
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From “ The Blue Hour: flash fiction” available on Amazon
“On Saunder’s Hill” was first published by “Black Works” published by Underwood Press
