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101 Word Short Stories

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Filling the Empty Space

October 11, 2024 3 Comments

By Alice Lawson

A black shadow followed Nana before settling on the worn leather armchair where Grandpa had lived. I stroked the softness of its belly.

“Isn’t Mr. Dreamies handsome?” Nana crooned. She sprinkled stinky tuna cat treats in front of a ginger cat sporting a white mustache, not dissimilar to Grandpa’s.

How well Nana was coping, my parents marveled!

“He’s in a sulk today.” Nana gestured at a sullen Russian Blue. “Anyone would think his team lost.”

The house filled with padding feet.

I stayed one night; my parents went out of town. Snuggled in floral eiderdown, I listened to sobs and yowling.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jean Turner says

    October 11, 2024 at 4:18 pm

    Mr Dreamies is keeping grandpa’s seat warm for him.

    Reply
  2. Pat R. says

    October 16, 2024 at 11:08 am

    So sweet! Beautiful story!

    Reply
  3. Ed Kratz says

    October 18, 2024 at 4:26 pm

    So very well done. Loved that last line, “I listened to sobs and yowling.”
    Perfect flash ending. And fine showing without telling us Nana isn’t coping so well.

    Reply

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