Mary Ruth had been alive for one hundred and two years, and she knew things she shouldn’t know. She knew where the fairy rings of mushrooms sprouted in the woods. She knew that twenty years ago, Mr. Wilkins the shopkeep had been operating a still on his land. She knew why Ms. Perry, the beautiful young war widow, had died at the bottom of a cliff, and why that handsome new Reverend Taylor had run off.

She also knew how to keep her mouth shut. She knew the value of silence, and the value of listening. And sometime in her sixtieth year when she stopped being Mary Ruth to most of the town and simply became Gramma Ruth, she didn't forget quiet. She would sit in her rocking chair with her strong tea and her watered whiskey, and listen as everyone in the town came to pour their heart to her. Some wanted advice, some words, a blessing, or even sometimes a curse.

Most of them got silence, which was all they truly wanted in the end. They'd thank her, bring her a new shawl or a hock of salted pork, and go home lighter and freer. Gramma Ruth grew heavy with the secrets and the sorrows of the town, but that was her wont and her place.

She became the sin-eater for everyone around her, and that was fine. She knew things, things better kept secret. Things that would stop the fine wheels of this ton, and force everything to come crashing down. But that wouldn't do. She knew the secrets of many different herbs, and had often give them to young girls come to ask for help. Mothers and daughters and granddaughters in a single family, all without a word, but with a knowing look. She knew the secrets of long life.

But that was ending, she was done. She could go on, but did not want to. So when the serious and quiet young girl came to her with no problem at all, Gramma Ruth stood and said "you."

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xesands almost 13 years ago

...and here it is: http://soundcloud.com/xe_sands/gp12911_maryruth

X-Himy almost 13 years ago

Thanks so much! That is so cool. And you do an amazing job, your reading does a lot more credit than my words do.

xesands almost 13 years ago

Oh I'm so glad you liked it! And your writing is the key here. I've grown a bit addicted to your stories :) BTW, glad to change the attribution or title of the audio piece if you'd like. Ping me at voxology(at)xesands.com if you'd like any changes.

xesands almost 13 years ago

Oh would that this was an entire story! Haven't seen mention of a sin-eater in a long while. Going to do an audio reading of this story and will post a link for you here once it's up.

X-Himy almost 13 years ago

One minor nitpick. I pronounce my nom-de-web as EX-HIM-ee.

xesands almost 13 years ago

Thanks so much for telling me! I'll update the audio tomorrow and swap it out. Sorry about that!

xesands almost 13 years ago

So sorry for the delay - was a bit sick. But it's been revised :)

X-Himy (joined about 14 years ago)

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Blank Prompt

Freeform prompt. Every Friday, writers face a blank page without any prompt. They write whatever they want in six minutes or less.
Prompt suggested by Galen

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