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Last Exit

May 11, 2022 9 Comments

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“She goes out the front door,” Wayne barked.

The black funeral home van sat idling in the side yard, close to the large sliding glass doors, its back open.

He thought of the day he put the key in the front lock and carried Missy over the threshold.

“But we’re all set through the back door,” the driver said. “Big frame, one step and we’re outta here, sir.”

“She came into this house through the front door, in my arms, and if you make me, she will go back out the same way.”

His voice cracked.

“She deserves the front door.”

By Sean Duffy

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chieh says

    May 11, 2022 at 2:14 am

    Hi, I’m a Chinese speaker. I’m learning flash fiction at the moment. I think your story is intriguing. But I’m also have parts that I may not fully understand. I’m wonder if anyone could kindly provide their interpretation for me… Do you name his later partner Missy on purpose, but is it simply a random name? Corresponding to her status, the act of going from the back door or front door seems to symbolize the Mrs’s position in a family. I think if it is what the author wanted to tell, it would also be nice by adding a sentence alluding her being rejected by the family when he had insisted on marrying her.

    Reply
    • Uma Hamzic says

      May 11, 2022 at 7:07 am

      Hello! There’s an Anglo-speaking tradition of carrying the bride over the official entrance to a house right after the wedding. Traditionally, the groom would carry the bride through the front door. That’s what “carrying over the threshold” means–it has the connotation of a wedding ritual. With this in mind, I don’t think the author meant anything specifically about Missy’s family, although I love your interpretation of it.

      Reply
    • Sean Duffy says

      May 11, 2022 at 3:07 pm

      What an interesting perspective! As Uma Hamzic says here (thank you!) this is an old tradition of welcoming a bride into a new home. It’s a symbol of love and honor and togetherness, in my view. My point was to show how he still loved and honored her deeply after many years together in the same home and wanted to show her the dignity in her “last exit” of leaving through the front door which is a sign of honor. Thank you for taking the time to leave such a detailed comment.

      Reply
    • Liz says

      May 11, 2022 at 4:25 pm

      Missy is her name – probably short for Melissa, but as that’s what he’s always called her he always thinks of her as ‘Missy’. But, yes she is the Mrs.! I’m sure it must seem confusing – that’s English for you!

      Reply
  2. Sally says

    May 11, 2022 at 7:22 am

    It only took 101 words to make me cry (in a good way!)
    Lovely story.

    Reply
  3. Scott Brian Blanke says

    May 11, 2022 at 10:31 am

    Strong story in only 101 words. Good job.

    Reply
  4. jhjones1015@gmail.com says

    May 11, 2022 at 3:40 pm

    Nice, tight. Good job!

    Reply
  5. Doug Jacquier says

    May 11, 2022 at 7:34 pm

    Well crafted and poignant piece.

    Reply
  6. S. Webb says

    May 12, 2022 at 12:22 pm

    When you make someone think, care, cry, and see your story you have succeeded. Well done.

    Reply

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