I'd like to dedicate this little one-shot to my mum and dad. You might not have been the happiest people alive, but you found ways to inspire me greatly. Thank you for that. On with the story!
Disclaimer: I don't own Mort Rainey or the Secret Window.
Essence
Bubbling sounds were heard in the kitchen of a house in a town called Tashamore Lake. A pot was on the stove, steaming profusely. A middle-aged man walked through the door, transferring the pot onto the counter and swatting away the steam. He slapped a piece of whatever was in the pot onto a paper plate. The man exited the kitchen, plate in hand, and walked up the stairs to where he was originally.
This was Mort Rainey's place of peace. His workspace from which he produced all his creative genius.
Rainey snapped his fingers, probably forgetting something from the kitchen. As he left, the contents of the paper plate was finally revealed.
It was corn.
He came back up, setting down the butter he had retrieved. Rainey sat down on his chair, getting ready to eat. When he had prepped the meal, he took a small and careful bite. He had to be very careful, you know. This was Amy's essence.
When Mort Rainey had buried his wife's body, it didn't occur until after he had finished his first piece of corn that he had buried an empty shell. Amy's body was just what it was. A body. Her essence was in the corn he was now eating. Amy was the garden. She helped it grow. Maybe Shooter had done something helpful after all.
He took another bite. He rolled around on his tongue, tasting it. Another thought occurred to him. Was this the corn he was tasting, or his wife? Maybe both. With every bite he was kissing his wife's essence goodbye.
When the empty shell rotted off, the essence would stay. Helping him grow everything that now meant the world to him. Except his writing, of course.
But Mort Rainey was almost sure he would give up his writing if it was between that, and his Secret Window.
I hope you have the chance to read my story. Thank you for your time. If you have the chance, please review. And by the way, dad, I will never give up writing. Even for you. 8)