“This was your family’s restaurant?” Erica asked.
I nodded, silent, reliving that horrible night: My fiance Haydn’s pushing me into the cellar and commanding me to keep silent, no matter what.”
Erica understood. “You never saw him again?”
I shook my head. “Two survivors said he’d been captured. But I never could find out.”
“Look!” Erica grabbed my arm. “Someone’s in the upstairs window — looking at us.”
“Some scavenger,” I said, brushing away tears. But then I looked more closely, catching my breath. “It can’t be,” I whispered.
“What?”
“It’s him!” I waved frantically: “Haydn!”
He waved, smiled, and in the same moment, vanished. I looked at Erica. Her shocked face assured me I hadn’t imagined him.
“Finally … after all these painful years … we’ve said goodbye.”
Friday Fictioneers writing challenge
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The Happy Wordcrafter 
Smiling! 🙂
Closure at last.
Now that’s a ghost story. Good one.
Thank you.
I’m not sure she will be able to rest at ease knowing Haydn is still around in some form or other. Chilling story.
I thought they were going to be reunited. So sad but beautifully done.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Thank you.
A bitter-sweet tale. You leave me speculating about how the encounter played out in the future. Your narrator feels relief at having said farewell – but I bet she’s into the ruin as quick as anything, looking for Haydn, and what will she find there? I suppose you don’t feel like making this a longer story…?
It has the seeds of a longer tale, but since I’m in the middle of writing two novels and compiling a short story anthology, I don’t think I need to add another project to my plate. But if you get some ideas, feel free to take this little beginning and run with it — with my blessing.
For some reason, I instantly thought of The Ghost & Mrs. Muir.
intriguing tale, Sandra.
Thanks, Russell. And I can see why this piece would bring to mind that classic tale.
I can’t decide if Haydn is good or bad…
Interesting!
Dear Sandra,
Oh this is one that deserves the audible gasp at the end. It was good of Haydn to make a trip back from the other world to say goodbye. Love this.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks so much, Rochelle.
We do need closure… and a good thing it is that he came by to wave goodbye.