The Boogie Man

“ . . . and he was never seen again.”
“Never?” My six-year-old was bug-eyed.
My 12-year-old scoffed. “Mom, there’s no such thing as boogie men.”
“No? Now go to bed, I’ll put the campfire out.”
Flames cast flickering shadows through the trees. Had something moved? I glanced about as the embers died.
I crawled into my sleeping bag, bone-tired.
Rustle.
I sat bolt upright. What was that?
Silence.
Just my imagination.
Snap!
No, there was something outside! I held my breath.
Silence.
I breathed.
Rustle! Snap! Something hurled itself against my tent.
I screamed.
My twelve-year-old laughed. “Boogie man got ya!”

99WordChallenge #BoogieMan #Campfire #GhostStory #Halloween #MargaretGHanna

My Forever Valentine

Paul’s arthritic fingers slowly untied the frayed ribbon around the box. He lifted the lid and peered at the contents. A lifetime of love and laughter captured in letters and cards. A pressed flower, a dog-eared photograph. On top, a tattered paper valentine inscribed in a childish hand, “To my forever valentine. Adele.”

He was 8 years old when she gave it to him. He was horrified – girls had cooties! Twelve years later they were married. Sixty-some years together, contained in that box.

He heard footsteps behind him. “Dad? You ready? The car from the funeral home is here.”

 

(my response to another 99 word challenge from The Carrot Ranch — check it out if you are in need of inspiration.)

#99WordChallenge #Valentine #Memories #Loss #MargaretGHanna