“Dad’s got skeletons in his closet.” My brother showed me an old, leather book. Inside were some blank pages and skeletons. “Dad said we can do ours.” Excited, we raced to the study where the ink lived in a little glass pot at the top of the blotter. My brother went first, creasing the page in half then signing his name along the line made in the middle. Whilst the ink was still wet he folded the page in half again and pressed down on the fold. On opening it he had his own unique skeleton. Mine quickly followed.
The signatures are described as “poetic, comic, and, sometimes, slightly sinister,” in Psychobook, edited by Julian Rothenstein, published by Princeton Architectural Press 2016. (Photo: Redstone Press Collection)
In response to Charli’s prompt where she asks:
January 11, 2018, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about wet ink. It can be artistic, writerly or something completely off-the-wall. Go where the prompt leads.
Respond by January 9, 2018, to be included in the compilation (published January 10). Rules are here. All writers are welcome!
I don’t normally do more than one response but as soon as I posted my initial story a piece of memoir came to me when I thought of wet ink. My Father’s skeletons dated from 1928 onwards. It was a way of collecting autographs and we as children loved looking at everyone’s skeletons. All were different.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
what a spectacular idea, love it!
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As kids we loved it. I believe my brother holds the book and is continuing on with family skeletons.
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how delightful, what a great idea I missed out on!
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A most interesting take, Irene. We used to do this when we were kids too.
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I think in my Dad’s day it was very common and probably changed to the modern version of autograph books when biros came on the scene and people stopped using ink. I would have guessed you were too young to do it but am glad you did cause, if like us, it gave a lot of fun.
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Nice twist!
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Thank you Kelly.
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That is really cool. I have to get some ink and try that.
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Love to see you skeleton.
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Very engaging tale, and I love the illustration!
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Thank you. It isn’t my photo but the illustration could have come straight from the book my father had which now my brother holds.
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Oh wow! That is so awesome 🙂
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A lot of fun.
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That is spectacular! I can imagine being captivated by those autographs as a child. How fun this memory came back for a flash!
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Yes I was glad for its return. I’m going to check out my Dad’s book when I visit Switzerland next. See what we looked like as kids.
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How fun to check on your skeletons of childhood!
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I haven’t seen these before, Irene. But what a wonderful idea. I love it!
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What a cool idea!
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My grandson just got a calligraphy pen and ink – I’m going to show him how to do this – what a great idea! And a great take on the prompt.
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I’m sure he’ll get a buzz out of it. We certainly did.
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