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101 Word Short Stories

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Cold Water

January 20, 2024 4 Comments

By Teri Tibbett

In the winter, miners came from downriver to drink whisky. Maggie served them. I kept the wood stove going so the pipes didn’t freeze.

Lou came in already drunk and smelling like a mink. Maggie wouldn’t serve him until he cleaned up, so I lit the fire under the water heater and filled the tub. I accidentally opened the wrong valve, so only cold water went in. It took a second, but when Lou realized it, he grabbed his pistol and aimed for me, then put a bullet into the ceiling.

I didn’t sleep that night, and Lou missed last call.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tim Goldstone says

    January 20, 2024 at 11:44 am

    Brilliantly evokes a whole way of life in just 101 words. Terrific!

    Reply
  2. Sheree Kerns Kolar says

    January 21, 2024 at 11:06 am

    Love it! Creates a vivid picture in my mind.

    Reply
  3. Toni Brayer says

    January 24, 2024 at 9:18 am

    Really good. So much here. I was transported.

    Reply
  4. Marie says

    January 24, 2024 at 2:34 pm

    An entire story in a small package, well done!

    Reply

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