Jacob knew he should destroy the photograph as he grasped it in his trembling hand. Her gold spun hair seemed to radiate with intensity. Her soft blue eyes that had dazzled him had changed to grey flint. The soft curves he had clung to had become taut muscle. She had fended off many a lone gunman and had helped him escape more than once, until last night.
He blinked back tears as he glanced up at threatening thunderclouds. While the biting wind struck his weathered face, he tossed the photograph on top of the shallow grave, then shoveled dirt upon her hooves.
The second line in the title is, “but it’s the Cowboy Way.”
Did I surprise you with who the subject was?
What’s your favorite Western movie or series?
~~~
Photo by Madison Woods
Susie Lindau's Wild Ride 
This is very sad, very sweet. I feel his pain and longing. Well done.
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I had hoped for a funny twist since I mislead you into thinking first of all that the photo might be evidence and then that it was a woman and not a horse!
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Dear Susie,
A sad tale, my dear, in a rough and tumble land. I love the sepia photo. Nice touch.
Aloha,
Doug
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Thanks Doug! I am surprised that you guessed it was a horse!
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Oh, Susie, it’s so sad! Horses are so beloved — I wonder why he would/should destroy the photograph. Lovely job painting the scene.
Here’s mine: http://thecolorlime.wordpress.com/2011/11/17/descent-100/
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I think that he chastised himself for having too much feeling for his horse; he was a cowboy after all.
Destroying the photo was also a red herring to make you think there was evidence of foul play involved in trying to set up a twist.
Thank you!
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I liked this story! You led us into it being the horse in the photograph gradually, but each line after the hair made it more and more clear. I liked it as a twist on what you might expect though.
Mine’s at elmowrites.wordpress.com if you want to stop by
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Thanks! I am so glad you understood where I was going with this!
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It’s amazing to me how you can do so much with so little! Nicely done, young woman.
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Thank you Hook!
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That’s a lot of punch packed into 100 words – the cowboy way!
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Thanks Julie!
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I grew up watching Rawhide, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Death Valley. I loved all the Clint Eastwood westerns featuring “The Man with no Name.” I wish they still made quality western for the big screen. I did enjoy the remake of True Grit.
Great story, you had me fooled!
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I loved all of those and remember Lucas McCane in The Rifleman!!
I did also like the new True Grit and think that little girl should have gotten an Academy Award for her performance.
Thank you! I am so glad I fooled you!
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This gave me goosebumps. At first I did think it was the girl he’d been worrying over. But I’ve shoveled dirt like that over hooves once, and I wish I’d buried the photograph of him with him. Great story and great twist!
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I am so glad you could relate! I hoped I had conveyed that emotion correctly… ; )
Thanks Madison!
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For the love of a good horse. Nice twist at the end, Susie. I think my all time favorite western is Silverado with Scott Glenn, Danny Glover, Kevin Kline, Kevin Costner, Brian Dennehy and Helen Hunt. I loved the smartaleck remarks and the horses. 🙂
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I will have to see that one. I am amazed you remember the names of all the actors in it! Looks like a great cast!
Thank you!
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I love this! I was surprised by who “she” was. 😀
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I am so glad I “got” you! Hahaha! That makes these Flash Fictions worth while for me!
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aw very sweet a lovely tribute.
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Thanks Sheilagh!
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Happy trails to you, until we meet again!
Love that Susie! You’re a stinker! You got me.
Chuck Conners was a neighbor once and my husband built a house for him. Used to watch the Rifleman and all the other cowboy shows.
This was fun. Thanks Susie! And thank you for all your support!
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Hahaha! I am so glad!
Chuck Conners! How cool is that!
Thank you Karen!
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lovely post. I think you do not need much words to express, what you want to express. I wonder how can you describe something like this with this much of words. great job!
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Thank you Arindam! It is a great writing exercise~
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I’m loving the flash fiction. Thank you for introducing me to it. Here is a link to my first attempt… http://www.susanwenzel.com/
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Glad you could join us!
For more Flash fiction, check out Madison Woods blog and check for links in the comment section~
http://madisonwoods.wordpress.com/flash-fiction/the-lonely-path/
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Beautiful writing, I love how you kept us in suspense throughout.
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Thanks Catherine! I really appreciate that!
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So lovely and descriptive, Susie. I could picture it vividly as I was reading it. Thanks so much!
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Thank you so much Sheila!! I am so glad~
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Yeah that was a cool story. I thought he lost a gal. Poor guy.
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Thanks Tanya for stopping by and reading! Glad I fooled yah! : )
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Really liked this, Susie…brought back a flood of emotions from when I buried my dog when I was a teenager. I can only imagine the bond between a horse and its owner. My favorite western movie is Open Range because it seems more authentic than most Hollywood fare.
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I am sorry to have caused a painful flash back. We get a photo prompt every week and I decided to go Western with twist. I usually write paranormal fiction and have been having fun with these 100 word flashes.
I don’t think I saw Open Range. I will check that one out. I love Westerns!
Thanks for reading!
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Having lost a beloved horse, I know the connection a person can have to an animal. I thought this was a woman… until the hooves. *weep*
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I am sorry about your horse, but I am glad that I fooled you!
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I guess I’m the lone bandit here. “Her soft blue eyes” had me think of a woman, but as soon as I read “She had fended off many a lone gunman” I immediately knew you were talking about the horse and thought you made a mistake by giving a horse blue eyes. This being flash fiction also made it much easier to expect a twist early on. After all, you have less than 100 words to create any impact. Glad you were able to fool everyone else though. Great piece of fiction! I enjoyed it.
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Awesome!
My daughter was around when I wrote it and looked up horse’s eye color for me. They can have blue eyes!
Aha! You found the clue with the lone gunman. You just need to read faster next time! Hahaha! Thanks for stopping by to read!
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