The Cleaner

L.C. Schäfer proposed that she would write a microfiction every day in 2024 and I decided to give it a go too. You can read about that here:

Prompt number twenty-nine:

No prompt today - or if I had to give one, social media.

***

"Well, hello there, Edith. And how are you?"

Ted knelt almost reverently infront of Edith and gently laid out around him all the tools of his job: a small fingernail cleaning brush; a bamboo skewer; a flask of warm water; a bowl; a small bottle of detergent; a dishcloth; an old tea towel.

"Before we start, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Ted and I'd really like it if you'd let me clean you today. I'm not sure if you can hear me but I'm asking because if you can hear me, I want you to know that I respect you and do not wish you any harm by being here."

Ted waited for a sign and when the ground didn't shake and the wind didn't blow off his hat and there were no cracking of branches off trees, he took it as a signal that he was okay to carry on. Sometimes, he felt something, not always obvious but an instinctive feeling which told him that he was not welcome and so, he left well alone. He wasn't doing this to upset: quite the opposite.

He poured a small amount of detergent into the bowl and opened the flask. Steam rose from the water he tipped and he stirred it with his fingertips to make some foam - not too much.

He then took his cloth and gently rubbed it on Edith.

"I hope that's not too hot."

Ted applied the soapy solution.

"That's it. Let's see who you are."

Gradually, features emerged.

"Oh, you're young. For one of the older ones."

Ted continued to wipe away the years from Edith.

"There. You're starting to come through now, Edith Jones. We can see you again! And you are beautifully made!"

He used the fingernail brush to scrub at stubborn growth in Edith's markings and detail. Finally, Ted picked up the bamboo skewer and probed Edith's indentations and crevices. He wiped her with a tea towel and stood up to look at her.

"Edith, it has been a pleasure. People will be able to recognise you now! And be curious!" And he patted the gravestone, gathered his things and left Edith shining in the sun.

***

366 words

Thanks to a local Facebook page for this one and a man advertising that he could clean gravestones.

Thanks for stopping by and if you did read it, please do drop a comment as I love to interact with my readers.

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