Linger – Friday Fictioneers

Amy Reese,

It’s time for Friday Fictioneers. The challenge is to write a 100-word story based on a photo prompt. Thank you to our lovely hostess, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields, and to J. Hardy Carroll for this week’s magical photo.

All are welcome to join in the fun. Visit the Friday Fictioneers page for details.

jhc5
PHOTO PROMPT – © J Hardy Carroll

(100 words)

Linger

Mowed lawns and watering schedules marked time at Lakewood Cemetery. For Tabitha and Elsa, it was burial plots turned with fresh soil.

“Wait until they leave at least,” Elsa said, behind a tree.

“She looked nice.” Tabitha picked up a bouquet and twirled. “Such lovely flowers. She must be loved.” She stomped on the gravestone.

“It’s her time to rest, Elsa. Be patient.”

Tabitha lay her head in Elsa’s lap, and stared up at her mirror image of blond curls and soft, pink lips.  “I’m tired of being patient. When will Mom and Dad get here?”

“There, there. Soon, sister.”

************

For more stories for this prompt, visit the Linkup.

 

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51 Comments

  5. I think it’s a beautiful ghost story, a bit spooky but not scary. Or maybe it’s scary to think that the dead, if there was an afterlife, couldn’t move on with their life after death. For the family, though, it may be a comforting thought. Depending on the family… sorry for the rambling. I guess there’s room for horror after all. OO

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    1. No need to apologize, Gah. I enjoy your thoughts. I actually didn’t intend for this to be horror, although I can certainly see it has that potential. I want people to interpret it for themselves however they like. Thanks for your comments. 🙂

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    1. Thanks for your feedback, Sandra. I guess it’s the other side of dying young. We always think about the poor parents, which being a parent, I don’t know how I’d survive that. I guess here’s the other side.

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  18. Reading it through the children’s conversation, I did not find it sad nor spooky. They seem playful and caring for each other. But then I am one who sees and feel ghosts. Now if the parents were telling their story……

    Lily

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    1. Thanks for the feedback, Lily. Perhaps it was the idea of twins that called forth the horrific images of “The Shining” twins. I think this could be a dark story, but as it stands, it is more caring and sensitive. It’s a bit sad in that they are waiting for their parents to die. That could seem a bit spooky, I suppose. Thanks for reading.

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  19. I like how you misled us with the children’s voices – they’re so authentic, just like mischievous children waiting for the adults to go so they can play. And I really like the idea of time being marked for these two by the freshly turned soil. Well told.

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