Skeletons in the Closet

Ellen drove towards the school. She was enjoying herself, listening to her all-time favourite playlist. She felt relieved and carefree after a long time. Taking care of little Emma was wearing her out. She could see some fine lines under her eyes but she chose to ignore them. Nothing meant more to her than her precious daughter Emma. 

She pulled into the parking lot and rushed into the playground. Little Emma ran to her and she hugged her so tightly as if she hadn’t seen her in ages. She clung to Ellen while they walked towards the car. She seated Emma in her seat and secured the seat belt.

“I cleaned your room today. It was a mess”, Ellen informed the little girl. “You are 7 years old sweetie. You’re not a toddler anymore. Keep all your toys in your closet.” Emma looked frantic with worry. “Did you clean my closet as well?” Emma’s little face turned pale and seeing that Ellen grew suspicious.

“Did you bring in a bird or some street dog again?” The mother asked her daughter in an irritated tone. Emma looked relieved. “No mom. I didn’t.” She answered but couldn’t convince Ellen. As soon as they reached home, Ellen rushed to her daughter’s room. The little girl went after her mother screaming. “There’s no animal or bird in there Mommy!” She repeated this sentence as if her life depended on it. 

Ellen stormed into her room and opened her closet. She wanted to scream, shout, cry, and bang her head into the wall. She wanted to throw up after she took in the sight of her precious daughter’s closet. Her abusive ex-husband and Emma’s father’s dead body was rotting in there. She could hardly recognize him or her daughter.