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101 Word Short Stories

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And Anytime You Feel the Pain, Hey Jude, Refrain

February 19, 2025 16 Comments

By Pat Rossiter

I ease her head back onto the pillow and place the cup on the nightstand. I sit beside her and entwine our fingers.

My warm smile belies a weathered spirit and crushed heart. Her hollow eyes are fixed beyond me to a vacancy that I could only hope is the open arms of our waiting mom.

Thoughts flood of times shared, intimate talks…secrets we promised we’d take to the grave. How inanely trivial that seems at this moment.

As her breathing shallows, I cradle her and softly sing a Beatles lyric. Her eyes widen, she murmurs—and she is gone.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. David Henson says

    February 19, 2025 at 8:16 am

    Poignant and well-written. Excellent title.

    Reply
    • Pat R. says

      February 19, 2025 at 10:50 am

      Thank you David, I appreciate it!

      Reply
  2. Sue says

    February 19, 2025 at 10:49 am

    Effective, thought provoking.

    Reply
  3. Pat R. says

    February 19, 2025 at 11:07 am

    Thank you Sue!

    Reply
  4. Corinne Driscoll says

    February 19, 2025 at 11:40 am

    Great job Patti! I can feel the raw emotion. Perfect title!

    Reply
  5. Pat R. says

    February 19, 2025 at 11:42 am

    Thanks Corinne! I appreciate your comments.

    Reply
  6. Donna says

    February 19, 2025 at 12:22 pm

    Thought provoking, relatable, intensely emotional.

    Reply
  7. Pat R. says

    February 19, 2025 at 12:26 pm

    Thanks so much Donna, appreciate it!

    Reply
  8. George says

    February 19, 2025 at 4:38 pm

    This is both sad and beautiful. And beautifully written.

    Reply
    • Pat R. says

      February 19, 2025 at 11:38 pm

      Thank you George!

      Reply
  9. Deanna Salser says

    February 20, 2025 at 9:26 am

    Love the title. And it outlines with so much feeling, what I missed with my sister when she died the morning before my flight was scheduled to leave.

    Reply
    • Pat R. says

      February 21, 2025 at 11:00 am

      Thank you Deanna. I’m so sorry for your loss.

      Reply
  10. Ed Kratz says

    February 20, 2025 at 1:13 pm

    Lovely and moving. Well done.

    Reply
    • Pat R. says

      February 21, 2025 at 11:01 am

      Thanks Ed!

      Reply
  11. Harris Hawk says

    February 21, 2025 at 8:18 am

    This is just beautiful. So moving!

    Reply
    • Pat R. says

      February 21, 2025 at 11:01 am

      Thanks Harris, appreciate it!

      Reply

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