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101 Word Short Stories

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Lucidity’s Embrace

October 27, 2021 20 Comments

By Deanna Salser

“Hi, Mom.”

Face averted, she flicked her fingers at me. “Zzzzzz! I’m waiting for Sheila!”

I sat down beside her bed and sighed. I missed her so much! I had everything to tell her.

“I am Sheila,” I informed her. Again.

She frowned and squinted out the window, my red Beetle a splash of color amid the green. She turned back, frown lines creasing.

“Sheila?” Her voice doubting and hesitant.

“I’m here.” Mine whispered inside my heart.

“Hey, Sugar Pie.” She held her arms out for a hug.

After she released me, I looked in her eyes.

But she was gone.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alastair says

    October 27, 2021 at 7:56 am

    That was so incredibly sad. Good job on putting so much emotion into such a short piece.

    Reply
    • Deanna Salser says

      November 5, 2021 at 11:39 am

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  2. Coco says

    October 27, 2021 at 8:16 am

    I totally get this. My mom . . .

    Nicely done.

    Reply
    • Deanna Salser says

      November 5, 2021 at 11:40 am

      I’m so sorry about your mom. But thank you!

      Reply
  3. Jeffrey M. Dean says

    October 27, 2021 at 8:55 am

    The ravages of time. We’ll done, Deanna.

    Reply
    • Deanna Salser says

      November 5, 2021 at 11:40 am

      Thanks, Jeff! I appreciate your feedback.

      Reply
  4. Helen Connell says

    October 27, 2021 at 11:16 am

    I related to this because my mother and mother-in-law were like this before they died.

    Reply
    • Deanna Salser says

      October 27, 2021 at 12:09 pm

      Thank you. I’m so sorry for your loss.

      Reply
  5. Terry says

    October 27, 2021 at 3:54 pm

    Perfect

    Reply
    • Deanna Salser says

      November 5, 2021 at 11:40 am

      Wow, the ultimate in compliments, thank you!

      Reply
  6. Beatrice Hale says

    October 27, 2021 at 4:08 pm

    very sensitive writing!

    Reply
    • Deanna Salser says

      November 5, 2021 at 11:41 am

      Thank you so much, dear, I’m kind of a melancholy girl.

      Reply
  7. Christine Johnson says

    October 27, 2021 at 4:48 pm

    Moving. I like the title too.

    Reply
    • Deanna Salser says

      November 5, 2021 at 11:42 am

      Thank you, Christine! The editor, Shoshauna was excellent.

      Reply
  8. Just Jay says

    October 27, 2021 at 9:03 pm

    Heart rending in it’s sad finality…Outstanding. If you want to adjust, I suggest you consider one change: In your last line think about changing the first word from But to And. Perhaps it might bring-out some contrasting pathos.

    Reply
    • Deanna Salser says

      November 5, 2021 at 11:43 am

      I read it both ways and you’re right, it changes the tone of the end a bit. Thank you for your suggestions and your feedback.

      Reply
  9. Valli Henry-Boldini says

    October 28, 2021 at 4:25 am

    Excellent and emotional read… and described my mother-in-law perfectly – Chapeau …

    Reply
    • Deanna Salser says

      November 5, 2021 at 11:43 am

      Oh, so sorry for your experience. Thank you for your comment.

      Reply
  10. Doug Jacquier says

    October 28, 2021 at 8:16 pm

    Well described rendition of what is becoming an increasingly common condition in older people and one that many writers sites and publishers don’t want to hear about. Well done.

    Reply
    • Deanna Salser says

      November 5, 2021 at 11:45 am

      Thank you. I’ve discovered there are editors who are also people. 🙂 Many of them have had the same experiences we writers have had.

      Reply

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