The Praying Granny

Granny Power at its finest

Sipping a morning cup of Earl Grey with a hint of lavender occurred each morning around 6:30. Nora nestled in the bay window watching a tufted titmouse. A most exquisite bird. His head and back a silvery shade of powder grey with a snowy white belly. His dainty hues trimmed out  with just a flash of blotted orange under his wings. 

Nora enjoyed watching the birds in the morning. That’s when she seen the two of them. Her boy Jack eleven and his best friend Cody twelve tearing out of the Conner house. They were running her way. She laid down her bible and tea cup, synched-up her robe and opened up the front door. This was going to be good, she thought.

The boys ran the whole long way. They ran in the street crossed over to her sidewalk going as fast as their feet could go. They leaped over her little swing gate, first Jack and then Cody. Nora thought for a second they would plow her over but they slide to a stop right at her feet. They did not have to look up to speak to her for Nora was just a little over five feet tall.

“Granny!”, “Mrs. Miller!” Both boys said at once. “I saw a walking shadow.”  “I heard it speak” again both boys spoke in unison.

“Hold on a second and lets slow down this story.” Nora said with one eye brawl raised.

The boys gave each other a quick look and drew in a deep breath. Cody gave Jack a nod and Jack began. “Billy dared us to spend the day in the old Conner’s house.”

“Billy needs to stop tormenting the two of you. He’s to old for that.”  Nora added.

“So we crawled in the bedroom window.”

“Please don’t tell my mother.” Cody pleaded.

Jack continued.  “The house had a wet musty smell and everything had a sheet over it or a layer of dust on it. At first we just looked around and then we heard someone else walking.

“Not Billy I presume?” Nora said with her lips puckered, peering over her glasses.

“No!” They said in unison. Once again they started talking at the same time. The faster the story went the louder they seem to tell it.

“You too go get a sweet roll while I get dressed.” The boys were to nerves to set and ate the rolls just on the other side of Nora’s door.

 The door swung open with Nora in a multi colored blue dress. A dress that says I'm eighty and proud of it. “Still a little spooked I see.” She said with a smirk. “You two watch too much TV. Come on let me show you how it’s done?”  She wrapped up in her silvery shawl and the three of them were on their way. “Oh look a blue bunting.” She said with a smile. The boys gave each other a quick look at her leisure attitude.

She glanced at the upstairs window with confidence and the  curtain quivered.

As they entered the fenced yard she wanted to clear the air. “Boys there are no ghosts. Our souls do live forever but whatever is in that house is not Mr. Conner's spirit. Is that clear?”

“Yes Ma’am.” They whispered, they wished she would talk softer as well but she would not.

She stood at the front door for a few moments? “Close your eyes.” She commanded and they did.  “Father God in Heaven, We come to you in the name of Jesus. It is in his name I ask you to bless this house. I plead the blood of Christ from roof top to the foundation. Mr. Conner’s daughters ask me to keep watch over this house. Till they decide what to do with it and I claim that authority here today.”

She opened the door and the house itself seem to hold its breath. Everything looked in order. She straightened her dress before praying.

 “Father God, I ask you to release your angles. Send them her with the Spirit of truth. Have them sweep through this place like a mighty wind. Cleaning it from anything that places itself above the name of Christ the Lord.”

A gust of wind traveled up the sidewalk and ushered itself down the hall. She and the boys followed, as she continued.

“In the heavens place a banner for Christ above this home and let no demon defile this place with its presence." The house seem to let out a groan. "There is a name above all names and it is Jesus Christ the Lamb of God.” She walked through each room and she shined with God’s love as she walked. Shadows would retreat as she entered and declared this place to be God’s own sanctuary. Scurrying sounds, retreated from her declarations.

Cascading shadows rolled across the light. As she and the boys worked their way to the back sunroom it filled with the darkness.

“I have no need to know your names." She said as she stomped a foot.

"God of creation, is my defender and might. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Word made Flesh I command you to leave this place and never return.” The screen door flew off its hedge and loud whimpering shadows vanished from their sight.

She turned on her heels to face the children “Lock up this house for me. Oh, I expect to see you both in church in the morning." Peering over her glasses with a smirk she turned to go.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Ridge]

I love the story. The ending was amazing and the prayers were smooth and well-written. There were a lot of missing commas and a few other mistakes, but those are an easy fix. Obwouldvrecvomendvreafjng the story out loud and only pausing when there is a comma or period. If you find yourself out of breath or reading a part like there is a comma, then consider rephrasing, adding a coma, or placing a period. You had really good imagery. The descriptions dived me into the story so I felt I was actually there in the scene. Amazing job!

[Cherrie]

thank you, Elizabeth :)

[Shep]

I really enjoyed reading this story, it was fun and delightful and full of attitude. nicely done.

[Cherrie]

I whip up several whoppers for my granddaughter
:) thank you

[Philip Muls]

Well written piece with a nice flow to it. The descriptions ensure you can see and feel the house as if you were there. Nice supernatural touch to it. Well done.

[Cherrie]

thank you Phil, I did like to add a bit more to it. Making the spirits afraid instead of the grandma.