Granny’s home resembles a classic antebellum southern plantation. It includes an exemplary portico, ionic columns and all of the balconies and gardens. It suits her.
She loves sitting on the porch and telling stories to the children, of the history and majesty of this part of Virginia in the 18th century, in vivid intensity and detail. “Were you there, Gran?” She only smiles.
“The Jefferson Memorial has ionic columns,” she said, waving a finger at the column I was leaning against. “Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration, you know. ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident,’ the boy did some beautiful work.”
“Unalienable rights, to life, liberty and the pursuit. You children ever wonder what ‘unalienable’ means?”
“My teacher said it means ‘Rights that cannot ever be taken away’,” said Jill.
“Does it now?” Gran replied.
Gran leaned forward and stared intently at us. For the briefest instant her illusion fell away and we beheld the alien in question.
Inspired by this week’s Friday Fictioneers prompt, and (I admit) a groaner of a play on words. Puntastic!
ParkInkSpot 
I ran a little long, a lot of setup for such a simple pun, sorry Rachel!
Oooooh, a little spooky here. Just what kind of “alien” are we talking about?????
You’ll have to buy the next book to find out…naw, just kidding.
Nice twist.
Well, thanks Sandra.
I enjoyed the twist on the prompt! I enjoyed the story. I think I know what alien in this means. (In fact, it could mean several things – in my mind) Excellent.
Gram isn’t telling. They never do.
Clever twist. Those poor kids got a shock – if she’s their gran then they’ve got alien blood in their veins!
That explains a lot about my family!
Kids got a bit of a shock. Nice twist.
Grandma, what bug eyes you have.
Love your comment as much as the flash.
Dear Dave,
I’m not sure that was the kind of aliens the writers of the constitution meant. 😉 Clever twist.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Almost certainly not. That silly Jefferson must’ve had a thing for Gran…
Now I’m wondering just how old Granny is and what kind of alen. Great twist at the end, Dave. 🙂 — Suzanne
How old is Jefferson? Could be body-snatchers, oh no! (Just kiddin)
I love the way you reveal the twist – with just a brief glimpse. Nice pacing. Great story – I like surprises and I like alien stories.
Wow, thanks very much.