From Riches to Rags

Sangeetha Kamath posted under Flash Fiction QuinTale-37 on 2022-01-20



I was squashed. The deadweight on top of me was suffocating. I wanted to scream out in pain, but couldn't. What about my heartbreak? Did anyone hear it crack and tinkle to pieces? I didn't know that a day would come when I would be treated in this manner. Hadn't I been in this household for a generation? Sigh… I remember that day clearly when Amos brought me home. I had stepped inside, amazed at the beautifully done interiors. It spoke volumes that I would be loved and cherished here. I had a separate room to rest too with my own intricately carved antique bed. I was thrilled to bits. Amos treated me like a queen. The next day, I was given a makeover. Amos had returned home with a package. It contained a beautiful sheer gown for me. I looked beautiful in it. It didn't hide the beauty that I already was on the inside.  "I want everyone to treat Ms. Booker kindly and delicately. All the rough imps in this house shall not go to her room and disturb her!" his voice boomed.  Whenever Amos and I spent time together, I told him things he never knew about earlier. He was amazed at me with each passing day. He told everyone that I was very wise and that they too should spend at least a few minutes with me. I revelled in all the glory and the importance that was given to me. As months passed, Amos introduced me to new people and I became good friends with some who shared the same wisdom, thoughts and like-mindedness. We were often grouped together when he held clubs at home. Everyone just marvelled at the knowledge and expertise we had to share. The 'rough imps' in the house had turned out into fine lads as the years passed. They hadn't bothered much with me as they found me too boring for their standards. On Amos's 50 th birthday, there was a grand celebration. The fine lads had brought home someone to introduce to Amos. Everyone sighed with exclamations  and wonder!  She was slim, sleek and very,very trendy! Amos looked glad and proud that the fine lads had good taste after all. They told him her name was Kindley and that she was wiser and more knowledgeable than me. He could ask her about anything and she would be on her toes to get any latest information for him.  After the guests left, Amos eyed me suspiciously. I had aged. My once alabaster skin had become patchy with age spots.  The next morning, he roughly pulled me out of the intricately carved bookshelf  while I was still groggy with sleep. I was bound with thick twine along with other book friends atop me and dropped unceremoniously outside the front door for the rag and bone man!  Mr. Amos broke my heart… Newbie Kindle had replaced me…   Penmancy gets a small share of every purchase you make through these links, and every little helps us continue bringing you the reads you love!