The Castle in the Curio Cabinet

He began to cry, more from the mental anguish than from the physical pain.

"When I ask a question, I expect a serious answer. You stay here while I go find your sister. Never mind dinner. You wont be eating tonight." His aunts voice was quiet and menacing. She turned and left the room, calling out Marys name.

Kyle, hurt and confused, turned back to the curio cabinet. "But they are there," he whimpered quietly to himself. "Mommy, Daddy, and Mary. Right there on the balcony." He looked over his shoulder to make sure his aunt was gone, and then opened the glass door. Once it was opened, he leaned forward, his nose coming very close to the castle. "They are there." His mind began to fill with suddenly clear memories of his parents. "And they are all waving to me." His hushed voice was filled with hope and wonder.

With one last sniffle, he reached out towards the castle, towards the outstretched hands of his family.