By Varteny Koulian
Now that he’s gone, the rental hospital bed that dominated the living room for months appears larger. My sisters and I ignore its presence waiting for it to be removed.
When the bed is gone too, we rearrange the furniture into its old layout. We sit side by side on the couch, torn between feelings of relief, abandonment and loss. Then we hear it. Footfalls in his empty bedroom. Leather soles scuffing the hardwood. Strong. Steady. We listen, and for a heartbeat we are young again—three little girls waiting for our father to drive us for ice cream once more.
Very moving vignette.
Very touching. I know how that feels. See you in June.
Very touching, very real. Well done.
Very strong images. Nicely done.
“I want to put my head on the pillow and let his last imprint circle me.”
This line forced me to gasp. I feel the pain here. Great job. Loved this story.
You have captured the essence of a moment and made it real again.
Tapped into my feelings of losing my parents. Great flash.
Spans a lifetime in so little space. Well done. Thank you.
I want to know more, do I know this person.
sweet and sad, very nice.
A beautifully written story. Heartbreaking and relatable.
Beautifully written and so painfully true.
powerful and beautiful
As others have said, simply beautiful.
Felt an Alice Munro moment.
Beautifully written, thanks for sharing.