7s_prompts prompt set 1.3.1 [word prompt - mask]
Claire knew what it was like to wear a mask at times and she knew the weight it could bring. She also knew that masks could slip from time to time; they could crumble and reveal the mess underneath. Being one who wears a mask, she can also recognize the other mask wearers nearby. She knew what it can be like when the mask wasn't in place anymore.
She knew when Molly didn't really come out of her room for most of the day, something was wrong. She didn't know what it was exactly but she knew what memories could be like when they decided to come back with a vengeance. The little girl knew loss after all and those marks never fade away. No matter how much love you're given or how protected you are, there are always bruises left behind. Bruises that could leave you feeling vulnerable, alone and definitely guilty.
She can't take it away but she can do something.
Knocking on Molly's door, she waited for a moment before she heard the whisper of permission to enter the room. It was like going from day to night as the shades were drawn to leave the room dark. As she looked to the bed, she could see the small figure beneath the blankets shrinking back to avoid the slice of light that broke through the shields. Quietly, Claire closed the door behind her and then moved to carry the tray to the dresser. Behind her, she heard the shuffle of movement as the scent of goodies started to waft around the room. Leaving the tray for a moment, she walked over to the window and quietly pulled open the shades. Not all the way but just enough to let some of the outside world in. Not enough to be over powering but just enough.
As she walked around, she could feel the eyes on her as she set up the movie that Molly knew well enough to sing all the songs to. Once it was started, she picked up the plate of cupcakes that were still warm from the oven and she brought along a glass of milk. Setting them both down on the bedside table, she finally looked at the little girl and her heart broke.
No girl should ever feel pain that bad.
Grabbing the last item she had brought, she sat down on the bed. "I want to give you something." She kept her voice low and soft as she tilted her head, reaching out with her free hand to brush her fingers over the girl's cheek. "When I was little, my dad used to go away all the time." Molly would know and Claire wouldn't need to explain. "He knew I got sad at times because of it. That's why he used to buy me teddy bears but it wasn't like I could just carry them around since it would look kind of silly, right?"
"So he got me this." Opening her palm, she revealed a small charm bracelet settled on her palm. It had different colored beads and then three little bears together. "It used to make me feel better and I'm hoping it will make you feel better too." She opened the clasp and then moved to slide it around the little girl's wrist, closing the clasp again. For a moment she studied it as Molly did and then she met the girl's eyes again. Leaning forward, she pressed a kiss to the younger girl's forehead before she sat back. "When you want to come out, I'll be here."
Getting to her feet, she walked to the door but was stopped by the sound of a little sniffle. "Claire? Stay with me?" The words were rich with emotion as the girl tried bravely to swallow down the urge to cry.
Claire managed a little smile as she turned around. "Sure you want to listen to me sing the 'Do Re Mi' song again?" That earned her a little giggle and then a small nod. "Okay, just remember you asked for it." She shut the door and then walked back to the bed. Climbing under the covers, she settled back and reached to brush a hand over the dark head that moved to rest against her side.
She definitely knew what it was like when a mask slipped out of place but she hoped she could help when it did.
[humanmapquest used with love and permission]
She knew when Molly didn't really come out of her room for most of the day, something was wrong. She didn't know what it was exactly but she knew what memories could be like when they decided to come back with a vengeance. The little girl knew loss after all and those marks never fade away. No matter how much love you're given or how protected you are, there are always bruises left behind. Bruises that could leave you feeling vulnerable, alone and definitely guilty.
She can't take it away but she can do something.
Knocking on Molly's door, she waited for a moment before she heard the whisper of permission to enter the room. It was like going from day to night as the shades were drawn to leave the room dark. As she looked to the bed, she could see the small figure beneath the blankets shrinking back to avoid the slice of light that broke through the shields. Quietly, Claire closed the door behind her and then moved to carry the tray to the dresser. Behind her, she heard the shuffle of movement as the scent of goodies started to waft around the room. Leaving the tray for a moment, she walked over to the window and quietly pulled open the shades. Not all the way but just enough to let some of the outside world in. Not enough to be over powering but just enough.
As she walked around, she could feel the eyes on her as she set up the movie that Molly knew well enough to sing all the songs to. Once it was started, she picked up the plate of cupcakes that were still warm from the oven and she brought along a glass of milk. Setting them both down on the bedside table, she finally looked at the little girl and her heart broke.
No girl should ever feel pain that bad.
Grabbing the last item she had brought, she sat down on the bed. "I want to give you something." She kept her voice low and soft as she tilted her head, reaching out with her free hand to brush her fingers over the girl's cheek. "When I was little, my dad used to go away all the time." Molly would know and Claire wouldn't need to explain. "He knew I got sad at times because of it. That's why he used to buy me teddy bears but it wasn't like I could just carry them around since it would look kind of silly, right?"
"So he got me this." Opening her palm, she revealed a small charm bracelet settled on her palm. It had different colored beads and then three little bears together. "It used to make me feel better and I'm hoping it will make you feel better too." She opened the clasp and then moved to slide it around the little girl's wrist, closing the clasp again. For a moment she studied it as Molly did and then she met the girl's eyes again. Leaning forward, she pressed a kiss to the younger girl's forehead before she sat back. "When you want to come out, I'll be here."
Getting to her feet, she walked to the door but was stopped by the sound of a little sniffle. "Claire? Stay with me?" The words were rich with emotion as the girl tried bravely to swallow down the urge to cry.
Claire managed a little smile as she turned around. "Sure you want to listen to me sing the 'Do Re Mi' song again?" That earned her a little giggle and then a small nod. "Okay, just remember you asked for it." She shut the door and then walked back to the bed. Climbing under the covers, she settled back and reached to brush a hand over the dark head that moved to rest against her side.
She definitely knew what it was like when a mask slipped out of place but she hoped she could help when it did.
[humanmapquest used with love and permission]