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A Closed Book

October 14, 2022 43 Comments

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In a small seaside town, I stop outside a bookshop. Through the window, one catches my eye: it’s jay-bird blue and has your name on it.

Later, while my husband sleeps off the beers from lunch, I go back. I pick up the book, read the author information. There’s no photo, but I don’t doubt it’s you.

“Those are signed copies,” the bookseller says. “Would you like one?”

“My husband says I have too many books already.”

I don’t read the dedication before returning it to the display. I’m too afraid the words are meant for me. Too afraid they aren’t.

By Laura Besley

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lesley Bungay says

    October 14, 2022 at 3:12 am

    Oh that last line – heartbreaking.

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      October 14, 2022 at 8:17 am

      Thank you, Lesley!

      Reply
  2. David says

    October 14, 2022 at 3:27 am

    Amazing to achieve so much depth of story in just 101 words.

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      October 14, 2022 at 8:17 am

      Thank you, David! That’s very kind of you to say.

      Reply
  3. Albert Katz says

    October 14, 2022 at 7:14 am

    Wonderful. A full story with depth and emotion.

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      October 14, 2022 at 8:17 am

      Thanks, Albert!

      Reply
  4. Scott says

    October 14, 2022 at 7:30 am

    I agree with David. What a gem.

    Congratulations!

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      October 14, 2022 at 8:18 am

      Thanks very much, Scott!

      Reply
  5. Joan Reed says

    October 14, 2022 at 8:08 am

    Beautiful!

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      October 14, 2022 at 8:18 am

      Thank you, Joan!

      Reply
  6. Kevin says

    October 14, 2022 at 8:18 am

    Best flash fiction I’ve read in a long time. Kudos.

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      October 14, 2022 at 9:30 am

      Wow! Thank you, Kevin!

      Reply
  7. Nan says

    October 14, 2022 at 8:38 am

    My heart felt this.

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      October 16, 2022 at 5:34 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  8. Chris Nedahl says

    October 14, 2022 at 9:10 am

    Sadly beautiful, Laura. Such a poignant last line. A big story in so few words. xx

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      October 15, 2022 at 3:42 pm

      Thank you, Christine! xx

      Reply
  9. Shoshauna says

    October 14, 2022 at 10:08 am

    The simplicity in this one has an eloquence that will stay with me. Thank you, Laura!

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      October 15, 2022 at 3:43 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  10. Meghashri Dalvi says

    October 14, 2022 at 10:20 am

    So beautiful! Loved it!

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      October 15, 2022 at 3:43 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  11. Lisa says

    October 14, 2022 at 10:28 am

    Depth and poignancy in just a few words, you should be so proud of yourself!

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      October 15, 2022 at 3:43 pm

      Thank you, Lisa!

      Reply
  12. Greta says

    October 14, 2022 at 11:04 am

    I really like this one – so much said and unsaid. So emotional.

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      October 15, 2022 at 3:44 pm

      Thank you, Greta!

      Reply
  13. Howard Dart Humeston says

    October 14, 2022 at 11:20 am

    Well written with full meaning. Great story. Got to say it again, great story.

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      October 15, 2022 at 3:44 pm

      Thank you! Thank you!

      Reply
  14. Valli Henry-Boldini says

    October 14, 2022 at 11:21 am

    Great read… kudos…

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      October 15, 2022 at 3:44 pm

      Thanks a lot!

      Reply
  15. Sharon says

    October 14, 2022 at 11:47 am

    Such simplicity that tells the story wonderfully
    Masterful.

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      October 15, 2022 at 3:44 pm

      Thank you, Sharon!

      Reply
  16. Michael Brown says

    October 14, 2022 at 6:16 pm

    Sometimes it’s right on the money. This one is.

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      October 15, 2022 at 3:45 pm

      Thanks, Michael. So good to hear!

      Reply
  17. Angie says

    October 14, 2022 at 6:26 pm

    Best story for ages. Really felt the last line.

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      October 15, 2022 at 3:45 pm

      Thanks, Angie! Appreciate you saying that.

      Reply
  18. Jerry Jerman says

    October 14, 2022 at 11:24 pm

    The direct address to the book’s author is particularly affecting. Nice touch and well written.

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      October 15, 2022 at 3:45 pm

      Thank you, Jerry!

      Reply
  19. JHJones says

    October 15, 2022 at 7:06 am

    Love this! Simple and poignant. Awesome!

    Reply
    • Laura Besley says

      October 15, 2022 at 3:46 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  20. Jennifer J. says

    October 18, 2022 at 7:52 pm

    I love this story. The last line gives the reader so much to think about.

    Reply
  21. Joanie says

    October 19, 2022 at 8:30 am

    A whole world in 101 words! Well done!

    Reply
  22. Chetana Vaishnavi says

    October 19, 2022 at 9:09 am

    Nice one. A completely new one

    Reply
  23. Doug Jacquier says

    October 19, 2022 at 2:07 pm

    Evocative and complete in 101 words. A rare treat. Well done.

    Reply
  24. Andrei Sisman says

    December 19, 2022 at 1:24 pm

    Quite beautiful stuff, Laura. The vibezz are real and the whole thing’s jam-packed with emotion. Congrats!

    Reply

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