Crack. Hushed breathing. Slits like spider-webs. Crack. Desperate sprawling. Bewilderment. Crack. Rapid footsteps nonstop, and-
Smash!
The clock dropped from the wall and struck the floor with a hollow impact, hands frozen at 12 o’ clock.
Just then, the photo of my parents dropped too, with a thud next to the clock.“ When can we play cards again?” The small, hopeful voice came from my brother in his class photo. Time stopped for a moment. When it came back, my heart felt like it was pinned, by such heavy force- guilt, regret, and fear, all stabbing at my sides.
“ Honey, you alright?” Mother asked.“ Do you need some help? Nate, clear up, for goodness’ sake,” she directed at the glass.
“ No,” I said,“ I’ ll do the clearing up. You all should watch TV, or even...”, I glanced at my brother,“ play some cards.”
Mother, Father, and my little brother were surprised and never ceased asking me why I had stopped being a grump. I simply replied quietly,“ We should get a new clock.”
Silas Chen
11