We were never quite sure what Great Aunty’s religious beliefs were, whilst she was alive. She always kept that kind of information, plus anything else she considered to be personal (including her clothing size), very close to her chest.
We all went to her with our problems – we knew we could trust her, without question.
I did worry that she might have committed all of our angst to a lifetime’s worth of diaries. Thankfully, this wasn’t the case. The only handwritten books in her rambling house were those containing shopping lists. It’s odd, isn’t it, what we keep?
The ancient idol was a relic from a Pacific Island religion that is now nearly dormant. The idol would absorb everything that was spoken in its presence, so that when you passed over, you would die ‘clean’.
Thank you, Great Aunty. I’ve been a very bad woman during my life and confessed everything to you. It’s nice to think that I will be clean as well.
I love what the narrator says about her Great Aunty!
Very interesting how the few lines you have written about these two women unleash our imagination. A fascinating pair!
Very well-done!
I really like the concept. Did you invent this idea of “cleaning” or did you read about it somewhere? Either way, this is most interesting and enjoyable.
How much easier to have all the ‘bad’ absorbed over a lifetime, rather than trying to confess on your deathbed? Although perhaps the little idol might have felt ready to burst with all that information, at the end!
Freya Writes... 
Lovely story Freya. To die clean what a good notion. Great story.
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it. I think it would give closure.
I love what the narrator says about her Great Aunty!
Very interesting how the few lines you have written about these two women unleash our imagination. A fascinating pair!
Very well-done!
Thank you. I do like to leave readers wondering about the characters…
I really like the concept. Did you invent this idea of “cleaning” or did you read about it somewhere? Either way, this is most interesting and enjoyable.
That’s a brilliant story, Freya. I love the idea of it. Wish there were them. But maybe there are 🙂
Thank you, Alastair. Apologies – your comment got ‘spammed’ – naughty WordPress!
Yeah, I’m hoping this problem is fixed now. I don’t seem to be heading off to the naughty corner any more
Lovely….especially knowing that one will leave this realm in a clean state. I like the bits of humor…”clothing size”, lol.
How much easier to have all the ‘bad’ absorbed over a lifetime, rather than trying to confess on your deathbed? Although perhaps the little idol might have felt ready to burst with all that information, at the end!
Indeed, it must have been ready to burst!