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101 Word Short Stories

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Corner Store Coins

October 20, 2021 4 Comments

By Natalie Note

His first job was easy. Mowing lawns to get a dime. Gum only cost ten cents, but the money was gone quickly.

Later, big dreams called the dimes instead, corner store forgotten. He held the coins until life’s cost took precedence.

His most important job was for them: filling advent calendars with sweets. Little fingers delighted in opening little doors. Kisses on the cheek became currency.

After all that time, he sits. What is his job now? Children don’t fill the house with laughter. The boy next door mows the lawn, as he watches from the porch, chewing his two-dollar gum.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Karen Tucker says

    October 20, 2021 at 8:19 am

    Very reflective. Change isn’t always easy, but it is inevitable. Will we manage better than this character?

    Reply
  2. Liz says

    October 21, 2021 at 2:32 am

    A sad, sad story. Well written, evocative.

    Reply
  3. Valli Henry-Boldini says

    November 2, 2021 at 6:50 pm

    Powerful little tale which captures life’s circle of life well… kudos…

    Reply
  4. Julie says

    November 5, 2021 at 5:45 pm

    Nicely observed. So much potential here. Keep writing !

    Reply

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