Mother arrived late, and brought a friend dressed in a funny hat. They found Izzy sitting at a table with two extra chairs; alone, drinking tea.
“That seat is taken, Mother,” Izzy said, glaring.
“How about this one?” Mother asked, motioning towards another table.
“Agatha will be upset if I leave her. We’re having tea now.” Izzy poured two cups for her and the empty chair.
“Resident ghost,” Mother whispered to her friend. “You’re looking well, Agatha.”
“No, Mother. Agatha looks horrid. Her skull is oozing brains all over her bloody gown. She’s uncomfortable. Tea, anyone?”
Izzy refilled Agatha’s cup.
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Genre: Horror (100 words)
Photo copyright: Melanie Greenwood
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As always, thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting Friday Fictioneers, and to Melanie for this week’s photo.
Click here for more stories from the Fictioneers. Please join in, if you’d like.
Happy Halloween!! Watch out for the werewolves.
The seat is taken – interesting – I was planning to play the piano under the starts with a red glass of wine:) Bravo Amy:)
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Enjoy the wine and the stars. Perfect combination! Thanks, Mihran.
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Amy – you have classical taste – I realized your blogs is so powerful:) I adore your articles and I love you:)
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That’s sweet of you, Mihran. Love you, too!
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This is an invitation for you and your friends to San Deigo, Coronado Island – Here is my email address: kmihran@hotmail.com
Your pages are educational, elegant and respectful. I compliment you Queen Amy:)
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You are very generous, Mihran. Thank you.
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I am flattered – I look forward for you to attend my concert – May I sing “Sway” for you:)
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Lovely. Currently reading Hilary Mantel’s ‘Beyond Black’ – there are resonances.
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Thanks, Patrick. I’ll have to look that up!
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Agatha’s current “appearance” doesn’t seem to be bothering Izzy anyway. I can imagine’s Mother’s face when she hears the description!
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She’s probably used to it. I picture her telling her in a very direct and calm manner. I’m glad you could imagine Mother’s face and took it beyond my story here. Thanks!
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By any chance, is Agatha’s last name Havisham? How very seasonal. Am glad I couldn’t get to this until Halloween morning. Will you get kids at your house tonight?
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Do you picture Agatha in a lace wedding dress? Oh, that’s rich. I like that. I’m happy to have helped your holiday along. We should have some kids, how many is always the big question. The forecast says rain right about trick-or-treating time. That’s a bummer! It may depend on the weather. Will it be a trickle or a downpour?
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We should have some kids?! I hardly know you!
I couldn’t resist. If you pitch it over the plate I’m going to swing for the fence. Every time.
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You would! Ha ha. Very funny.
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All my imaginary friends are mentally challenged (slow), but at least they keep what little brains they have safely tucked inside their heads. Plus, they are a playful group and easily entertained. I enjoyed this tale, Amy. Perfect for Halloween.
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Hey, I came up with something, Russell! I’m glad you enjoyed my Halloween tale. How lucky your imaginary friends are easily entertained and look presentable. They sound like they’re worth keeping around. 🙂
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How elegant …. a zombie tea.
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Ha ha. Even zombies like tea, although I guess she’s a zombie ghost. 🙂 Agatha has to pass the time somehow.
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🙂 Poor Agatha. What was the significance of the ‘friend with a funny hat’? Am I being dense here?
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The hat was more of an impulse, I guess. No, you’re not being dense. When I had a few more words before cutting it down, the friend was dressing up for the visit. I just kept the funny hat…almost took it out. 🙂 Thanks, Sandra.
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For a minute I thought the mother had brought an exorcist along, you know, a priest/vicar with a funny hat. Duh! Always searching for a meaning… my problem…
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Or, she could be a witch! Ha ha. A funny hat could be anything. I could say it’s certain kind of hat, I suppose. I appreciate that you search for meaning, truly. This is a good thing, and you keep me on my toes! Thank you.
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Watch out for werewolves? Shirley, you jest. I’m watching out for Agatha! And I know, don’t call either of you Shirley.
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Watch out for the ghosts! Agatha knows where you live. You might want to put a pot of tea on for her, just in case. Happy Halloween!
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Well as horrid is as she looks at least she is enjoying the tea.
Happy Halloween!
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I guess Agatha is a tea drinker. Thanks, Dawn. Happy Halloween to you, too!
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Nice ghost story for Halloween. Glad Mom can’t see Agatha – sounds like she’s having a bad day.
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That was disturbingly delicious 😉
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Thanks, Helen. Your comment was delicious. 🙂
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Dear Amy,
I’m imagining that Izzy is a little girl with a big imagination. I could just see Mother’s expression at Izzy’s description of Agatha. Very cute story…in a somewhat dark sort of way. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Although if this were a scene from the Adams Family, Izzy would Be Wednesday and Morticia would be delighted with Agatha’s description. 🙂
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True! They would all be one happy family!! It’s all a matter of perspective. 🙂
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Dear Rochelle,
Izzy is a resident at a mental hospital.That was my intention, perhaps not conveyed at all in this one. Maybe I need more details. She has visitors and her mother makes a reference to the “resident ghost.” So, whether or not it’s true or her imagination is up for grabs. I’m on the side of truth on this one! Yes, so it is a bit dark! 🙂 Thanks, Rochelle.
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I always like a tea party. But oozing brains and blood would spoil it for me. Ugh! 🙂
Lily
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Indeed, that would be a spoiler for me, too, Lily. Tea, uh, I’ll pass.
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Dear Amy, Great story! I love Izzy and she should be enjoying her own tea party without Mother dictating to her. Well done Amy, Well done! I also love the ‘Havisham’ part – you are amazing! Nan 🙂
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Thanks so much, Nan!! 🙂 Thanks for your lovely comments.
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Ghosts really do love their tea. Many the nights my sister and I watched “Pauline” put the kettle on for a pot of tea. She was never restless after her tea.
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Oh, really? Wow. Was Pauline a nice ghost? I take it she felt better after a spot of tea. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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Yes, Pauline was a member of the family and she passed away in my sister’s home. I know it sounds crazy but I saw her go into each child’s room and then the kitchen to put the kettle on. I was babysitting at the time and it freaked me out. I told my sister when she got home and she said, “Oh, yeah, I should have mentioned that started happening”. Several of us saw her without knowing before hand. She did not make the move when my sister and her kids moved to the US.
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Wow, Michelle! A real live ghost story. I think I may have been visited by one, but he/she comes so infrequently, I wonder if it’s all in my mind. But this is wild, and I don’t blame you for being freaked out! I would be freaked out, too. If you don’t mind me asking, how long did she stay? What was she wearing? Anyway, I’ve never actually have seen a ghost, so this is special. Thanks for sharing.
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I don’t mind at all. She was dressed as I always think of her…in a belted house dress (It may have been a blouse & skirt). I was only freaked out the first time and because I had seen her come out of one child’s room and go into the other. She didn’t stay that long for me to see. However, my wee nephew started to tell great tales of going to heaven with Nana for tea. We would hear him talking in his room at night. No one had mentioned our sightings to him. They had been extremely close. The only person who didn’t see her was her son (my brother in law). He didn’t believe it was true and got really upset when we talked about having seen Pauline. We stopped talking about it in front of him.
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How about that? She was dressed as you always saw her. That’s pretty cool. Your little nephew must have been close. It doesn’t sound like he was scared at all. Interesting that she didn’t reveal herself to her son. I guess you can make those kind of choices in death. Maybe her time was limited, or your nephew needed her more. Anyway, I’m pretty sure ghosts exist. I just found out today that the room where I sense the “ghost” activity was a room they added on to the house. Da da dum. Hmm….
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I honestly think she didn’t choose to not show herself to him. I think he chose to not open himself to the possibility.
You will have to keep us posted on what is happening in your add on room.
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Of course, Michelle. I didn’t think of it that way. That makes sense. I’ll keep you posted!
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How old is Izzy? She knows her mind anyway. I did feel sorry for Agatha not looking her best, and then there’s poor mother having to explain. 🙂 Love where you went this week.
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I saw Izzy as a mental patient for some reason. I had a bit about her gown looking loose on her. But, you know, the cutting of words and then something’s missing. Oh well! I see her as a young adult. Thanks, Sarah!
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Oh poor Agatha. Her brains are oozing and she’s ruined her perfectly bloody dress.
Great story Amy. I wasn’t sure if Izzy was a child or a mental patient, so I’m glad I read the comments, but either way it works. And I love Izzy’s frank voice. “She’s uncomfortable.” Ha! Love it.
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I saw Izzy as older, just in my mind. But, yeah, I think it can work either way. You wouldn’t know she was a mental patient probably with the sparse words here, but that is just as I saw her. Thanks. A little something for the holiday!
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Amy, I had a feeling that Izzy was disturbed although I didn’t understand the mental hospital part until I read your comment..Good and well-written story that fit in nicely with Halloween. 🙂 — Susan
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It’s just what I was thinking when I wrote it…the mental hospital part. 🙂 Thanks so much, Susan. I hope I was able to spook you just a little bit.
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What an excellent story — it’s almost on the edge of horror, but it manages to be mordantly and morbidly humorous. Well-done!
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Thanks so much! What a wonderful thing to say! I appreciate that. I’m glad you found humor in it.
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That’s a refined ghost, that takes tea. 🙂 I’m kind of glad I’m not in Izzy’s position. I don’t think I’d want to see Agatha, with her brains oozing out and everything.
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I guess the tea calms her. 🙂 I hope I never see a ghost in this condition. We think we have ghosts here in our house. Just today, my son said he saw a shadow in the mirror. Oh, I wish he would stop with these stories!
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