A Door Beyond
Jessica approached the house as if she were in a dream. Despite the worn, faded version of what it had been twenty years earlier, she recognized it easily. The pert, but tired dormer windows still jutted over the sloping front roof, which hung lengthwise along the front porch. The porch in particular unleashed a tide of memories, even though the swing where she’s spent so many hours with her grandpa was no longer there. Her eyes lifted to find rusty hooks that had once held it up, still wedged into the planks. It was as though these old hooks wanted to tell stories of all the occupants of the wooden-slatted swing.
Leaping to her thoughts was the day when her father told her about his new job. She’d been confused, she recalled, upon hearing the news. Was it good news or bad? She hadn’t been sure, but knew her life was about to change.
Her father’s strong but soothing voice had rung in her ears, “Honey, you’ll be able to make new friends in the new city. You’ll see, it will be a great thing for our family.” He had sounded so sure, but had insisted too strongly.