9/11 Short Stories

Simon says

The last key turned in the deadbolt with a loud click that resounded through the tenement hallway. She inhaled the mix of aromas, Thai, curry and the odd scent of sauerkraut assaulted her nose. She shook her head to dissipate the foul scents that if served on their own might be quite savory. Her shoulder shoved the heavy door open as the grocery bag in her hands began tilting to the point of almost spilling on the floor.

She used her foot to kick the door closed behind her and sat the bag with a loud crunch on the kitchen counter.

"I'm home, honey" she yelled down the hallway to the brightly lit living room.

The sound of pounding feet came towards her and Connor threw himself into her waiting arms. He nuzzled his head into her

"Let me put some of this away and I'll come play with you, okay? "

"Can we play Simon together? can we?" He asked with a look of excitement on his small face.

"Sure can, just give me a minute, alright?"

He turned and ran back down the hall, his bright blue Cookie Monster slippers making scraping noises on the wood.

Meg gathered up the groceries, stacking a few cans in the cupboard and the fish sticks into the nearly empty freezer. She looked at the barrenness and sighed aloud remembering the days when it hadn't been his way. Back when they had a real house, not some hodge-podge cheap apartment that needed five deadbolts to keep the riff raff out.

She took off her sweatshirt and walked down the hall to where Connor sat on the couch. He had gotten the Simon game from the old German lady who used to live down the hall. It was her last gift to Connor before she passed away two months ago.

Connor looked up and with a bright smile and simply stated "we're having pizza tonight Ma, Simon said so". Meg felt the sinking in her chest.

"Honey, we can't afford pizza. I picked you up the fish sticks that you like so we're having that tonight, remember?" She said as she sat down beside

"See, I told you Mom, Simon said pizza for dinner. He's right. He's always right."

She grabbed two plates and opened the box, grabbing two thick cheesy slices. It even had he curled charred pepperoni that she loved too.

"Who did this?" She said looking at Connor between bites.

Connor shrugged his shoulders. "Simon did it Mom, I told you already...Geesh, you never listen to me" he said as he bit a big chunk and laughed as the cheese pulled out like strings from the pie to his mouth.

Meg looked at him, setting her pizza down, "what else did Simon say honey?" she watched for his reaction.

"You know....things. He told me Gretta was going to go away to heaven and she did. He only tells me things when I play the game right. I've been practicing. Every time I win, he tells me things." He started humming while his mouth chewed the thick cheese. "Can I go play with Simon when I'm done?"

"You can play if I can too. I want to see you win and hear what Simon has to say, okay?"

He pushed his now empty plate away and nodded, turning around and running down the hall,

The dull thuds of his feet trailing