She lit the candle on the windowsill and bent to slip on her mud-caked shoes.
“What would happen I followed you?” I asked.
She plucked the candle out of its holder and looked back at me. “Do you know the story about the goose, you know, the one who laid the golden eggs?”
“Yeah, I remember it,” I said.
“Then go on to bed, my love. See you in a few nights.”
She pressed her lips to mine before slipping into the dark. I glanced at the other candle, sighed, and swept up the dirt she’d tracked in.
———
I return after two years! I have also recruited my friend Brian, and I look forward to what he comes up with. Anyway…Every Friday, writers from all around the world write 100 word (or thereabouts) flash fiction based on a photo posted that Wednesday on Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ blog.
I welcome constructive criticism; without it I cannot grow as a writer. The weekly photo that inspired this story is below:
glossarch 
Warm hearted and spooky. A clever combination.
Thank you. I like the way this one turned out.
I like a tender ghost story – well done. And welcome back.
Thanks!
I like this ghost-dog story!
I, too, seem to be participating monthly rather than weekly. Don’t feel bad; real life takes precedence!
Ha, glad I’m not the only one!
I loved this take – but I’m a sucker for ghost stories. I liked the positive note this had – historically Ghost Dogs are harbingers of doom!
Cheers
KT
That’s true, I hadn’t thought about the usual bad connotation of ghost dogs.
Dear Danny,
A good yarn for the fireside. Well written and well told.
Aloha,
Doug
Thank you, maybe I’ll tell it by the fire some day.
Dear Danny,
Real life has a way of interfering, doesn’t it?
I’ve never read a sweet ghost-dog story. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks for stopping by!
We lost our dear old cat about a month ago (he’s just sleeping in this little picture here!) and my grown-up son had a dream very similar to your story. A sweet tale!
Sorry to hear about your cat. Strange how those dreams seem to happen, isn’t it?
I have goosebumps!
Wonderfully expressed!
Thanks for reading!
Lovely end beat. Well done.
Thanks!
Well written. Bitter sweet, I think. And a learnin’ of life.
There is a certain wistfulness to a dog that follows you home but can’t leave the woods.
Always nice to read a warm, uplifting ghost story. Thanks for that, Danny.
janet
Thank you for reading!
An intriguing and heart-warming story. There’s some interesting history between that mother and dog, I suspect.
Yes, I’m not sure what that history would be. The dog was around when the mother was a child, that’s for sure.
Inventive take on the prompt. I love a good ghost story!
Thanks!
Oh.. I guess a dog lacking substance would be hard to feed.
I can’t imagine anything sadder than a dog who wants to eat a treat but can’t.
I really like the idea of a ghost-dog. He seems to be desperate for company and he’s evidently very friendly. I wonder just how long he’s inhabited those woods – possibly a lot longer tthan the 25 years the mother mentioned. Lovely little story. 🙂
Yes, he could be a very old dog indeed. Thanks for stopping by!
Very different. Very nice.
Randy
Thank you!