Mary knew tricks to stop herself floating away.
She weighed her shoes down with guilt; what would her elderly mother do without her? When daydreams lifted her towards an open window, she grabbed onto its paint-peeled ledge and focused on how much work was to be done in the crumbling house. At night, she recited her failings. They formed a dense mass, pinning her to the bed.
Outside, a balloon drifted by, not caring that any branch could end its journey. Barefoot, Mary creaked open the bedroom window. Birdsong covered mother’s snores, lightening her heavy heart. Mary soared upwards, smiling.
Author Bio:
Stephanie Hutton is a writer and clinical psychologist in the UK. Publications include Atticus Review, Connotation Press and Aesthetica Creative Writing Award anthology. She was recently shortlisted in Bath Novella-in-Flash Award and Bristol Short Story Prize. Find her at stephaniehutton.com and @tiredpsych. Her debut novella Three Sisters of Stone was published by Ellipsis in May 2018.