This is my entry into the Friday Fictioneers flash fiction challenge run by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. This week’s picture prompt was provided by Ted Strutz. The challenge is to write a story within 100 words.
Grandma’s House
“You box up in here,” Emily said. “I’ll do the bedroom.”
Lizzie nodded numbly, looking at the furniture: the table, chair and ornaments, the old-fashioned lamp. It was strange without Grandma.
They spent the day sorting and boxing. That night Lizzie couldn’t sleep. Trying not to disturb Emily she moved in darkness to the living room.
Sudden light flared. Grandma’s lamp glowed brightly.
Lizzie froze, squinting. Shocked. Another step and she’d have tripped and cracked her head on the fire place.
“Lizzie?”
As Emily flicked on the main lights the glow of grandma’s lamp faded.
It wasn’t even plugged in.
Word Count: 100
Click the little blue frog to see other entries.
loved it!made me think of my grandmother passing.
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Thank you! I’d wanted to write a ‘happy story today. Somehow, I don’t think I quite managed it… At least it’s not quite as dark as some that I’ve done recently!
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Nice. You did a wonderful job with this prompt.
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Thank you. I’m glad you like it. 🙂
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You are a talented writer. This one gave me goosebumps. I love it.
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Thank you!
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Wow!! I like this!
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Thanks. 😀
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Time to get out of there. Fast.
Loved it.
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I think I’d be rather freaked out!
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Cool and creepy! I guess Grandma’s still hanging around…
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I think she just might be… 🙂
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Nice ghost-story. Excellent take on the prompt.
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Thank you. 🙂
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I hope grandma was benign though.. as long as it’s only observing .. ghosts are not that bad 🙂
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I think Grandma is just there to watch over them and to make sure they’re safe. No nasty ghosts in this story!
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Grandma is still looking out for her girls. Good story!
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She is indeed! Thank you for visiting. 🙂
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Cool! I loved it!
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Thank you. 🙂
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Just my kind of ghostie story. 🙂 Well done.
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Thank you. 🙂
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I think that you showed nicely the sadness of losing someone you love and then the reality that you have only lost them physically – their light shines on in your heart and memories.
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Thank you for your kind comment. 🙂
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Great story Louise! I loved the ghostly twist… goes perfectly with the picture prompt 🙂
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I’m glad you like the ghostly twist. It took me ages to decide what to write for this prompt so I’m pleased it worked. 🙂
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Oh yea, you totally nailed it. Neat! 🙂
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…for some reason I had thoughts about the energy savings potential of grandparents visiting from beyond the grave. Hm.
Nice take on the prompt, I enjoyed it.
KT
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It would definitely save some energy! Thanks for commenting. 🙂
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Dear Fairymind
Perhaps Grandma was there to tie up some loose ends. Nice one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Maybe she was. 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
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Great interpretation. There aren’t enough uplifting ghost stories.
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Thank you. 🙂 I was determined to take this story in a more positive direction – my stories have been growing increasingly dark in recent weeks!
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I love a good ghost story. “You box up in here”… Sad words.
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They are indeed. Thank you for liking. 🙂
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I read again a few times. I liked the atmosphere you set… I think the ‘nodding numbly’ did it. Grandma was watching out. I really like your story.
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Thank you very much. That is very flattering. 🙂
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Dear Louise? I love this story, Grandma is still looking after her granddaughter! Marvelous, touching, and a sweet ghost story! Just wonderful! When my mother died, 25 years ago, I was going through her closet and crying so hard that I could hardly stand up and then I felt (I am not saying this lightly) a presence of a touch on my cheek and I knew it was my mother. When Daddy died, 8 years earlier, I knew he had died before finding out. Odd, but no one could convince me that I didn’t experience either of these – including another one that happened before Daddy died. Good story! Nan 🙂
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Thank you. 🙂 I’ve had a number of ‘strange’ encounters myself. I believe that there is far more to life and death than the sceptics would have you believe. I’m glad my little story touched you.
Louise 🙂
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Great story! I’m a sucker for tales of paranormal encounters. This one had a nice tone.
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Thank you. I’m glad you like it. 🙂
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Good story. I love it when something unexpected happens.
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Thank you. 🙂
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