Knock-Knock(Annie Frame) Knock-Knock.

Stanley Ernest adored his Granny Gloria. She was his world and had taken him in when his parents divorced, found new partners, new lives and left him behind. At first he had felt hurt, upset and anger burnt, but none of those feelings had lasted long around his mentor. Granny Gloria looked at life with a huge view and shared it with her beloved Grandson. The years passed and as they did people came and went and when they did she made a point of paying her respects. Before she left for a funeral she would say, “Knock-Knock" and Stanley would ask, “Who is there?” and she would smile knowingly.

Stanley never received an answer to the strange scenario and no longer wondered too much about it. He decided that it was probably some old timers Morse-code to do with life here-after. The years hounded relentlessly and neither could do much about it. Manhood found Stanley as did good looks, broad shoulders and a loving wife. Three children followed in quick succession and made Granny Gloria share something. It was a sunny afternoon. Stanley always made a point to visit alone to spend one-to-one time with the now frail old lady.

They chatted, suddenly the conversation felt stilted, forced in some way. It was a first, because normally neither managed a word in edge ways. After another lengthy pause she took his hand in hers and said, “You must play knock-knock with the children.” Flabbergast he wondered how to tell her that he did not have a clue what it was about. He was clueless as to who had been behind the door at any given time. Her wise eyes studied him as he fought with what he should or should not say. He felt her stroke his hand tenderly and say, “The door is always open and when we knock it is opened.” He wanted to yell, “What door?” but sat staring into beautiful oasis.

It was the last time he saw her. She died that night. The funeral was arranged. Heartbroken he observed three questioning faces, looking for answers in a world tight with restriction. As promised he held onto grief and stated, “Knock-Knock." Instant recognition filled him as they searched for answers, so he smiled lovingly. What was this recognition? Granny Gloria had known something or other about the door and now that feeling seemed to be rubbing off onto him. The funeral came and went as did every other event in the physical sense. The years made their mark on Stanley and before he could say Hey-Presto, he was in his latter years. A widower with children flown from the nest he nurtured carefully preserved memories.

Death came unannounced and could not wait until he had finished the autobiography he was halfway through. The door appeared from nowhere so he tried not to see what he could. The urge to alight filled him and nothing could lull it, so he prepared to haul his oldness over to the manifestation. There was no baggage to take and he swept to the door with ease of perception. Pleasantly surprised he stood in front of it as the need to knock overwhelmed him. Try as he might to resist a greater force beckoned. The lightness of limb encouraged him to follow instinct. The Knock-Knock thundered through the oceans, tilted the stars and carried him home. Behind the door lay the light of the universe and all it held.

By Annie Frame Copyright October 2013.

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