Absolutely beautiful story is this issue by Lisa Graley, "Crossing with Sassafras."
The story is in the first person pov, the narrator an old man repairing a fence because he sees the ghost of his goat, Sassafras flying freely about him. In a series of cleverly intertwined flashbacks, the story reveals one of loneliness and love for his wife, now dead for ten years (the goat, for three). He is aware that they are gone, and wonders why Sassafras appears to him, but it brings memories of his wife, Emma, and their time together, and ties the narrative structure of present interspersed with episodic past together as well by stringbeans that Emma grew in her garden, canned and served him almost daily for their dinners. He still has some of the canned beans left, and eats them that night for his dinner, and saves a bit for Sassafras. The goat teases him and just as he did when it was alive, he spends much time trying to coax her back into the pen he must constantly repair from her escapes. Eventually, the man does follow the goat into its own world where he hopes to be with loves lost.
The language used is simple, real. The flashbacks come just as memories do to us when we spot something that reminds us sadly of our loss, while giving us something to savor. It is a poignant image of an old man left behind, and while we suspect the outcome, we are as glad as the man himself because we have come to care for and understand the characters.
Good story, great writing techniques. With no use of "I remember when…", or "that year…" or even white space, Grayley moves us smoothly back and forth between times and spaces with ease in transitioning and no confusion about the multiple timelines running through the story. Loved it and hope Grayley continues her work.
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology