The Welcoming Wreath

Photo by: Goroyboy

Cotton Walters held court in the corner of Ray’s Bar, telling stories. People of all ages listened in.

“Jasper Reeves was loved by everybody,” he said. “He charmed everyone. Minnie Holmes loved him the most. When he was away, she made a wreath out of cotton buds to welcome him home again.”

“So sweet!” said a woman.

“Trouble is, he was sweet to half the young women in town too. Then he got Minnie pregnant and ran off with her life savings.”

“Oh my!”

“Well his get rich schemes always failed and he soon ran out of money. But ol’ Jasper never lacked for confidence in his charm. He returned to Minnie’s door years later, thinking a little smooth talking would win her heart again. He saw that ol’ cotton wreath and figured she was still pining and missing him. He looked in the peephole, tryin’ to get a glimpse of Millie. I still remember his last words.”

“What did he say?”

“He said, ‘Now where in heck did Minnie get that shotgun?’ ”
____________________________________
Written for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers: https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2018/04/16/fffaw-challenge-163rd/