I’ve been under the weather for our last two Friday Fictioneers . I did write a poem – inspired by last week’s photo. It’s here: Maybe I Like Picasso
Here’s my entry for this week.
When Everyone Already Knows Everything
After Miss Esther died, Vernal was to himself. He seemed surrounded by a protective aura. Most of us knew they’d been lovers, but most of us knew better than to say anything about that. We mostly just waited and let Vernal grieve his own way.
“What should I say at the memorial?” Vernal asked me.
“What do you want to say?” I replied. Vernal huffed.
The memorial took place at the town’s woodsy hearth where Miss Esther had held her seasonal celebrations of one sort or other.
“Prescott County was damned lucky to have a witch, like Miss Esther, watching out for us all this time,” Vernal said in conclusion to his eulogy.
Ellespeth
photo prompt – © – Rachel Bjerke
Views From A Poet 
Well, the news can’t hurt Esther now, so why not speak out. Probably the whole town knew anyone. Small towns are like that. Well written Ellespeth, and welcome back. I hope you’re completely well soon. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Looks like her secret is out now. Nice one.
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Oh I love to have a witch like that.. I think Vernon said the right words.
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I’m still ill from this flu. Thank you Bjorn…I need a witch like that now, too 😛
Ellespeth
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Miss Esther must have been a lot of fun, witch and all.
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Lovely story. I could feel the sadness in Vernal. Maybe his protective aura was “Miss Esther.”
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Thanks PJ…I’m soon to see this week’s Wednesday photo…I’m still so ill …hahaha a rhhyme…I’ll try to drop by there this evening
***hugs***
Ellespeth
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Please get to feeling better soon! Hugs!! xoxo
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I want you to know that I thank you for participating in the Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. I hope you keep coming back! I enjoy reading your stories.
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Dear Ellespeth,
Glad to have you back, and I hope good health will continue to be yours.
Excellent story this week. You wove it with great sensitivity and told us much about Vernal in that last paragraph. Well done.
All my best,
Marie Gail
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Thanks, Marie Gail. I like Vernal…I even want, sometimes, someone like a Vernal in my life…someone who knows me inside out.
I’m still ill with this whatever flu…all passes with time.
Ellespeth
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It does look like a witch’s hangout. I wonder what went on at her seasonal celebrations? (Or maybe it’s better not knowing!)
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It does, doesn’t it? I’m trying to pull myself together here and get to reading and commenting. I’m still not well so reading is fine but commenting is a struggle.
Ellespeth
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Simple and to the point. Also a little mysterious. Wonder what she was protecting them from.
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Still fairly ill… thanks for reading and I hope to pass by your place this weekend
Ellespeth
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Going by Long Island? At least most of the snow is gone.
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Dear Ellespeth,
A lovely tale about love and the importance of saying what you feel. No comma necessary after witch. (I like Miss Esther.)
Aloha,
Doug
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Neither comma needed there? And what did you think of the dialect?
Still quite ill but writing.
Ellespeth
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Dear Ellespeth,
Esther’s secret’s out. Nicely done. Hope you’re feeling better.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle…
I’m feeling worse and hoping. We watch toddlers sometimes and I think we’ve both come down with a horrible toddler germ 😦
Ellespeth
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I wonder if the rest of the people knew she was a witch. Nice idea.
Claire
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Loved it!
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Thanks, Sandra…ditto what I’ve said to others…still not well blah, blah, blah.
Ellespeth
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I can’t say that I’ve ever imagined a witch with a lover before: you’ve taken me to a new place.
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