Oh my goodness, Bill. You made this old woman cry this morning. I love it that you gave Doloris, Gloria and Betty such young voices and let us discover why at the end. It could have been a really sad tale, but their voices gave it such lightness.
This song about a flower lady is a little more melancholy than your story but was the first thing I thought of upon seeing the title: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMMUcLCjnT8
The detail of brushing earth off the dress, the Oxford lace-ups, the mahogany doors. By the time we get to the headstone, we've been reading a ghost story all along without knowing it. The knocking system is the thing that stays. Really good! Great piece.
The hints were all there but I don’t guess the ending.
And, might I add, as a funeral director, I do love me a good, old fashioned cemetery with intricately carved headstones, huge statues and big, fancy mausoleum! ☠️🪦⚰️⚱️
I am, sadly, also reminded that I will probably never see my parents graves again. Japan is too far, I have no family left in NY and the cemetery where they are buried is at the far eastern was of Long Island (Calverton National) so not an easy trip to make, even when I lived there. I think a lot of people are in this situation these days.
Nothing better than a happy ghost story.
Thank you, Paul. I feel that way, too.
What a sweet one, Bill.
Thank you very much.
That’s a wonderful story!
I imagine the colors in the bouquet as all very much fire colors, from the flower types described. Well done!
Thanks so much, Mark.
Well done, Bill!
Thank you, Jack. I'm glad you liked The Flower Lady.
Oh my goodness, Bill. You made this old woman cry this morning. I love it that you gave Doloris, Gloria and Betty such young voices and let us discover why at the end. It could have been a really sad tale, but their voices gave it such lightness.
Thank you, Sharron. These souls were real to me and I'm glad you enjoyed the story.
There will always be flowers to brighten someone’s day even ghosts who wander from door to door.
I think so, too.
This song about a flower lady is a little more melancholy than your story but was the first thing I thought of upon seeing the title: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMMUcLCjnT8
Phil Ochs beautiful song was on my mind as I wrote The Flower Lady. I love his song (and all his songs.)
He is enormously underrated.
Simply wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Thank you!
The detail of brushing earth off the dress, the Oxford lace-ups, the mahogany doors. By the time we get to the headstone, we've been reading a ghost story all along without knowing it. The knocking system is the thing that stays. Really good! Great piece.
Thank you, John. I'm glad all the pieces of this little ghost story came together.
Your twist at the end totally changed the impact of this story on me (for the better). Brilliant, Bill.
Thank you, K.C. I’m delighted you enjoyed The Flower Lady.
Good story, Bill. Short and to the point. Touching. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for your kind words, Bob. I'm glad you enjoyed The Flower Lady.
Didn't see that coming. Though I did wonder why one of the sisters was brushing dirt off.
I’m glad I could surprise you.
I very much enjoy all your stories, be they time travel, fantasy or ghost stories. Thank you.
Thank you for your kind words, Yael.
I read this 3 times, and each time I noticed more! Best ghost story ever!
Thank you. I enjoyed writing The Flower Lady and I’m glad you liked it.
Aww, that was actually kind of sweet.
The hints were all there but I don’t guess the ending.
And, might I add, as a funeral director, I do love me a good, old fashioned cemetery with intricately carved headstones, huge statues and big, fancy mausoleum! ☠️🪦⚰️⚱️
Thank you for your kind words, George. It's important and wonderful to remember those who have departed.
I am, sadly, also reminded that I will probably never see my parents graves again. Japan is too far, I have no family left in NY and the cemetery where they are buried is at the far eastern was of Long Island (Calverton National) so not an easy trip to make, even when I lived there. I think a lot of people are in this situation these days.
One day I will face that question: eternal rest in Japan or where most of my family is, in the US. It’s hard, it’s sad.