Ghosts of Halloween - PG Challenge 110

[MickLifeCrisis]

Time and rereads don't seem to diminish the tears any , but they don't diminish this fantastic story, either. It truly stands the test of time.

[darkstarrising]

Time and rereads don't seem to diminish the tears any , but they don't diminish this fantastic story, either. It truly stands the test of time.

Thanks so much, MLC I appreciate the re-read and compliment - it caused me to go back and read it again. I'd have loved to see it on the screen.

[Luxe de Luxe]

Thanks to MLC for bumping this!

DSR, how did I miss this the first time around? Such a beautiful story. I’m so glad you gave Beth the consolation of a family after Mick died off camera, leaving a big hole for Beth and your reader. That off camera death was truly shocking and disorienting for your reader but it was balanced by Beth’s strength- she survives, does very well for herself professionally, is a wonderful mother and finally goes out on her own terms. Thank you for the very satisfying ending to this lovely fic. I don’t believe in life after death myself, but this fic brought home to me how comforting that belief must be to those who hold it. I do hope you are still writing.

Luxe xx

[Ella713]

What a wonderful story!! dsr you've outdone yourself. This story showed Beth's undying love for Mick. I'm speechless...............

[darkstarrising]

Thanks to MLC for bumping this!

DSR, how did I miss this the first time around? Such a beautiful story. I’m so glad you gave Beth the consolation of a family after Mick died off camera, leaving a big hole for Beth and your reader. That off camera death was truly shocking and disorienting for your reader but it was balanced by Beth’s strength- she survives, does very well for herself professionally, is a wonderful mother and finally goes out on her own terms. Thank you for the very satisfying ending to this lovely fic. I don’t believe in life after death myself, but this fic brought home to me how comforting that belief must be to those who hold it. I do hope you are still writing.

Luxe xx

Thanks, Luxe It's interesting to see how various people respond to this story, especially its ending. Some, like yourself, see the story literally, that Mick died and Beth went on to a full life without him all the while missing him. Others see Beth falling asleep as she waits for Mick to come back from an 'errand' and that she dreams of a life without Mick, one in which she finds fulfillment in her job, her adopted daughter and granddaughter. Which did I intend? Whichever one gives the reader the greater satisfaction is fine by me.

As for writing, yes, I am. It's just that developing an interesting story is far more difficult when your working with original characters. I'm about 2/3 finished, but writing comes in fits and starts. It would be so much easier if one could schedule creativity!!

What a wonderful story!! dsr you've outdone yourself. This story showed Beth's undying love for Mick. I'm speechless...............

Thanks, Ella I'm glad you enjoyed the story!!

[allegrita]

What a great way to end Halloween! This story is so much more than a simple Halloween story, dsr. It tugs at the heartstrings and inspires the imagination. I hate to think of Mick and Beth not getting a long life together... so for tonight, I am choosing to believe that Beth dreamed the sad scenario, and that she and Mick are on the verge of beginning a new, long, unlife together. But no matter what, that tragic loss, whether real or dreamed, brings tears to my eyes.

Thank you!

[MickLifeCrisis]

Whenever I read this, I know to have the tissues handy. But I read it anyway. It's beautiful and heartfelt and heartbreaking all at the same time. I found the first comment I made on this story, from 2015. It's just as true now as then:

This is an amazing story and so well written. Being moved to tears is a compliment! In some ways, the saddest part was not when Beth lost Mick, but the decades-long estrangement between Beth and Josef. They both lost Mick and they could have used the support of each other. But Beth felt Josef's protection, she treasured Mick's ring and medallion that Josef had given her to feel connected, and she had the chance to offer forgiveness and to say goodbye.

And the ending - superb. Dang... still need the tissues.