The family resemblance was striking. Only the tiny lines around her eyes betray greater maturity.
“So you’re her mother?”
“I am. Don’t look so surprised.”
Months ago, I’d shared a drink and conversation with her daughter right here at this bar. Just now, I was still trying to wrap my mind around meeting the mother, without warning, sitting on the same bar stool.
“Relax. You already know we don’t bite.”
“She nibbled a bit, emotionally. I didn’t know about her husband until I was really enjoying her company, you know. My heart wasn’t broken or anything, but my little crush got crushed.”
“Well you’re safe from heartaches with me. Besides, my husband wouldn’t dream of making an appearance. Not even with a thunderbolt, I promise.”
We had recreated much the same evening as when her daughter visited; talking, laughing, and drinking. Eventually, I asked if she’d like to see “our” tree.
The tree hadn’t stopped blossoming and raining petals over the bus stop until high summer. She leaned one hand against the tree’s trunk, and colorful autumn leaves suddenly cascaded.
Demeter just laughed when she saw the sadness come over me.
“Silly mortal, loveliest of all are those which don’t endure.”
200 words. Inspired by this week’s Sunday Photo Fiction prompt (and a followup to a previous tale—“You Can Tell a Lot About a Person From Her Underworld.”)
ParkInkSpot 
I like this one. Reminds me of someone, just can’t pull up the name from my blotchy brain.
Someone (two snaps) FABulous!
Sounds like the leaf doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Mom and daughter are just two aspects of the same story, I imagine. Or the same story at different points.
beautiful flash for this picture prompt, perfect!
Thanks Claudia
I LOVE Greek Legends! And you do a very charismatic retelling.
Me too. But they’re a little old. (ahrr arr!)
Nice take on the harvest goddess theme. I especially liked, “Nibbled a bit emotionally.”
It was just a crush. Those don’t sting for very long.
I like this. It reminded me of Hera and her daughter (whose name I had to look up) and I liked the way you used last week’s one as well.
Hebe? Hestia? One o’ them chicas. And thanks very much, I like doodling them 🙂
That’s the ones 😀
It’s hard to ignore a goddess! A well worked story.
‘Specially when she’s a Mom (with access to thunderbolts). Better treat my daughter right, mortal, or…
Wonderful story Dave! Her turning the tree into Autumn made me think that it represents her. Maybe it wasn’t her daughter earlier but her younger self.
Mmm, no, Spring and Autumn aren’t really a metaphor. Just how they decided to divvy up the months, I’d say.
Still, mother and daughter. Maybe Persephone got grounded and had to do Spring Chores or something 😛