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101 Word Short Stories

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Attitude Fix

June 6, 2023 8 Comments

By Colette Parris

It was starting to hurt. She made the appointment while gritting her teeth. Three weeks later, after a lengthy wait in reception, a smirking medical assistant escorted her to an examination room. Of course, a man who checked in after her had been seen sooner. She sat, seething, on the narrow table. The doctor wagged his finger and declared, “You really should have come in sooner.” Using sharp steel tools, he extracted the chip lodged in her right shoulder and set it carefully atop her left. The emotion she experienced thereafter was not relief, but dismay over the absence of throbbing.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tim Goldstone says

    June 6, 2023 at 7:10 am

    A fascinating piece. A treat. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Colette Parris says

      June 6, 2023 at 8:55 am

      Thanks so much, Tim!

      Reply
  2. Cathryn says

    June 6, 2023 at 8:54 am

    Hello Colette,

    Sweet!! And this line, a real zinger, aced the tale: “Of course, a man who checked in after her had been seen sooner.”

    Reply
    • Colette Parris says

      June 6, 2023 at 8:56 am

      Thank you, Cathryn! I definitely enjoyed writing that line. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Ekta Garg says

    June 7, 2023 at 4:15 pm

    Wonderful! I love all the layers of this little piece. Great job!

    Reply
    • Colette Parris says

      June 8, 2023 at 7:18 am

      Thanks so much, Ekta!

      Reply
  4. Sandra says

    June 12, 2023 at 7:31 pm

    Makes me wonder who’s the strong one here. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Colette Parris says

      June 21, 2023 at 11:48 am

      Thanks Sandra!

      Reply

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