The Photo – Carrot Ranch

Artwork by Phil Burns

The Carrot Ranch Challenge:
In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story inspired by “old photograph”.

Click here to hear the author read his words:

The Photo

I knew I’d seen him before.
There he is.
In the background of that photo.
The one from the holiday she took with her friends all those years ago.
I noticed him at the time because of how he was gazing at her.
With an expression of what?
Adoration?
Love?
She laughed, of course, when I asked her.
Perhaps a little too much.
Just a guy in the crowd, she said.
Never seen him before, she said.
And laughed again.
Perhaps a little too loudly.
But here he is again today.
At her funeral.
With tears in his eyes.

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16 Responses to The Photo – Carrot Ranch

  1. Oh, the secrets. This invokes many thoughts and curiosities, I love it when writing does that, takes us further, lets us wander with our own ideas. Great take on the prompt, I didn’t expect the twist ending.

    Like

  2. Liz H says:

    It’s a secret she brought to her grave, but one he never let go of.
    Brilliant!

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  3. Secrets and lies. I wonder if she had some and was telling them? A great piece of flash that keeps the reader hooked.

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  4. Poignant. Really enjoyed it…and Phil’s art work to match–marvelous.

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  5. Charli Mills says:

    He never got over her, the one in the background. Well told, too. I enjoy your readings!

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  6. Yes, what Jenne said.
    (But pssst? I found this link at the June 24 “rainbow cat” prompt, not the more recent July 1 post)

    July 1: Flash Fiction Challenge

    Liked by 2 people

  7. jenne49 says:

    Ouch.
    Yes, she’d never seen him before, but no mention of ‘since’.
    The story you tell without actually saying it.
    And the emotion.
    Such a good story.

    Liked by 1 person

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