© Jennifer Pendergast
If you like my work, buy me a virtual cup of coffee at Ko-Fi.
The table had been set with elegance but was overwhelmed by the rather bizarre lighting appliance hanging from the ceiling.
“Do you really think Grandma will like it?” Karla’s voice carried her doubt.
“You know how the old girl adored the Avant Garde.” Cornelius had been the favored grandchild, so he had made all the arrangements.
“Mom, Dad, and the rest of the family will be arriving soon. Grandma aside, I don’t think they will like it at all.”
“Relax, Kar. It’s Grandma’s birthday, not theirs. Besides, you’re the Medium so it’s your séance. Just call her. She’ll love it.”
I wrote this for the 10 March 2023 edition of Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ Friday Fictioneers challenge. The idea is to use the image above as the inspiration of crafting a story or poem no longer than 100 words. My word count is exactly 100.
Yes, it’s back to ghosts. Of course, the lighting fixture immediately got my attention and I had to think fast. It’s in contradiction to what otherwise looks like a very formal dinner setting. It’s Grandma’s birthday. Time to call her back from the spirit world to celebrate. I wonder though if Cornelius did this just to annoy his living family members?
To read other stories based on the prompt, go to inlinkz.
To read some of my published works, try Ice, an adventure on the high seas in the far future where the fire goddess has banished all ice from the Earth and there’s a hideous mystery at the bottom of the world.
The Haunting of the Ginger’s Regret: In this novelette, space freighter pilot Kam Naji has acquired a replacement ship for his lost vessel from an unusual source. It’s a fine spacecraft but it comes with something extra…a ghost.
The fantasy anthology Fantastic Schools, Volume Six features my magical school short story “The Price.” 13-year-old Christopher Greenleaf wakes up in the dorms one morning to find the school almost totally deserted. Can he, 14-year-old Tamika Bendertwill, the school’s star student, and non-magic using cook Lisa Sakamoto solve the mystery before they too disappear?
poweredbyrobots.com 
We both did seances!
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We sure did. Odd since I don’t think there’s anything inherent about the image that suggests it.
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Nice twist – hope it doesn’t lead to an unhappy Gran ghost haunting them! 😉
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Nope. She’s just back for the party.
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Oh I think Grandma will love it! And the rest of the family can suck it up or she’ll be back to give them a piece of her mind!!
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Of course, I left it ambiguous if Karla’s talent is real or if she’s just “channeling her imagination.
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As long as Grandma likes it, it’s fine!
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Grandma may well have poor taste. 😉
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Probably a little of both. I think grandma will love it and probably end up breaking a few more dishes to show her appreciation 😉
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Oh, I hope so.
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I think Karla should stand by what she has created, and all the others be damned.
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Actually, Cornelius made it. Karla didn’t like it but she’s the Medium who will be summoning Grandma’s spirit for dinner.
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It could be taken both ways. Either way, it’s for Grandma and if the old girl liked stuff like that, well ,that’s all that matters.
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Dear James,
I’d say they stand a ghost of a chance.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Definitely.
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If grandma doesn’t like it she may knock it down!
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That’s a distinct possibility.
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I liked the twist. I hope Grandma enjoys the party. 🙂
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Me too.
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🙂
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Grandma will love it – if she forgets to bring her glasses!
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I’m not sure eyesight is an issue in the spirit world, but thanks.
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A delightful twist at the end. I didn’t see it coming.
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Thanks. Given my somewhat limited interests, I thought it would be too obvious.
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what a twist at the end. i didn’t expect it. 🙂
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Thanks.
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I hope Grandma enjoys the company as she has always done, and catching up on family developments and all. A lovely story with a surprising ending to raise a smile.
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I appreciate that, James. Thanks.
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Love the twist in this one 🙂
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Thank you. What’s a story without a twist?
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Great twist at the end. Well done.
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Thank you.
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I saw something bursting in from another world, too. I think Grandma would be happy to see her family regardless of the decor.
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I hope so.
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I nearly wrote the exact same story concept. Great minds!
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Agreed. Thanks.
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Great ghostly atmosphere thank you James. Household tastes can certainly be a burden for the living, even if they don’t wake up the dead.
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Thank you, Susan.
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Oh, what a nice thought. Bringing grandma back from the beyond for her birthday. Nice story, James!
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Thank you, Brenda. Grandma loves a good party.
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Excellent. It’s a séance all in the family. We need more of those. 🙂
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Thanks.
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