Sunday Photo Fiction is a weekly challenge now presented by Susan Spaulding, who has taken over this great weekly prompt from my old friend Al Forbes.
This week, once again, she provides her own intriguing photo to inspire our imagination.
The idea is to write a short story (200 word max) inspired by what you see in her picture (below).
Click on this link to enter your tale, and see what others have written.

© Susan Spaulding

Click here to hear the author read the tale:

The Shop

She has passed here often, is surprised she hasn’t noticed it before.
It is a strange little shop, outside and inside.
She browses for ages, fascinated by the odd product on display.
An elderly man with a kindly face appears from behind a surprisingly angled row of shelves.
How long have you been here, she asks him.
Just today, he replies.
She laughs, indicating the packed shelving.
There are so many places, he says, we cannot stay longer.
Somewhat confused, she wanders off.
He reappears a short time later, says he needs to close now.
When she tells him she will be just a few more minutes he becomes agitated.
He begs her to go now, before it is too late.
Impatiently, almost impolitely, she brushes him aside.
And soon she finds an ideal gift.
I’ll leave as soon as you wrap this, she smiles.
His eyes wrinkle with concern as he tells her she cannot leave until morning.
Irritated, she thrusts the item into his hands and, ignoring his pleas, marches out the door.
The street, the town, the world, have all disappeared.