–
TASWG assignment: write a story using a prompt, chosen from those written by members for February 2016’s meeting. My chosen one was:
You are passing a convent one day on foot when two nuns come up to you and take you firmly by the arm. ‘There you are Sister!’ one says. ‘You aren’t supposed to be up and about yet, you know!’
‘And in ‘civvies’ too’ the other one says disapprovingly. Despite your protests and struggles you are manhandled into the convent where you are locked in a small room with no further explanation.
(Shirley Muirhead)
–
One warm May afternoon, I was heading home from the hospital after an MRI scan – I’d suffered amnesia following an accident and could barely remember who I was. Passing St. Luke’s Convent, I took a shortcut through the adjoining park, passing along a walkway bounded by burgeoning shrubs to a fountain, sparkling amongst pink rose bushes. A statue of Pan stood nearby. I enjoyed the gentle sound of water. Then, something black loomed, I looked up and saw two nuns. Their countenances were grim and masculine. I smiled and said, “This fountain’s so pretty, isn’t it?”
Silently, they circled around either side of it and grasped me forcefully by the elbows. “There you are Sister!” one said. “You aren’t supposed to be up and about yet, you know!”
“And in ‘civvies’ too!” the other one said, disapprovingly.
“What are you on about? Let me go!”
“Come on Sister Ursula, it’s back to St. Luke’s with you!”
Their firm, pinching grip, just above my elbows, made my arms numb and it seemed easier to acquiesce, with the idea of remonstrating to the Mother Superior and getting these two ‘monkeys’ a severe reprimand.
–
Later, I reflected on the day’s events. Ignoring my protests, the nuns had brought me to the convent. They’d ushered me down a long, white corridor with a vaulted ceiling and crucifixes on the walls at intervals. A recess held a vase of pungent white lilies. It all seemed strangely familiar.
They’d promised to take me to the Mother Superior, but they’d lied. Thankfully they’d at least let go of my elbows; my arms felt like they would never have any feeling in them again.
“There’s a bible in the draw and a bathroom through that door,” one said.
I stood there, shocked and outraged. Then I heard a key turn. I was a prisoner!
–
Subsequently, a different nun brought a silver tray with sandwiches and a blue china pot of tea. One of the original two stood in the doorway, blocking escape. The new nun was friendlier. “Hello, Sister Ursula.” She smiled. “It’s good to have you back.”
“My name is Susan Brown. This is all a ridiculous mistake!”
“Of course it is.” She winked at me. “You just rest. Reverend Mother and a doctor will see you in the morning.”
“Morning! What are you on about, I have to get home!”
“Don’t worry, everything’s taken care of. Just rest.”
I ate ravenously and showered. Then I lay in bed feeling quite tired. I took out the bible, noticing an inscription – ‘Ursula Smith March 2014’.
Ursula, Ursula. Suddenly memories flooded back – I can remember! My twin sister Ursula had come to this convent, and left her husband and two little girls to ‘receive Christ.’
We’d all been shocked, of course, and I’d visited her here to protest. Recently she’d had a sudden illness and been rushed to hospital.
Someone knocked. “Time for ‘Night Prayer’ Sister.”
“Look, I need to tell you something important. It’s urgent!”
“All in good time, Sister Ursula.”
–
Featured in the book, To Cut a Short Story Short: 111 Little Stories
- Please consider making a small donation to help towards the running costs of this site. It would be greatly appreciated.
- Don’t forget to check out some other stories on this blog. There are over 450!
- To purchase the stories on To Cut a Short Story Short up to December 2021 in paperback, Kindle, eBook, and audio-book form, and for news on new titles, please see Shop.
