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101 Word Short Stories

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Mermaid

February 1, 2017 2 Comments

By Jim Byrnes

I watched her from across the room, marveling at the improbability of our relationship. It was hard to believe she was a mermaid when I found her, years ago, washed up on a deserted beach, more dead than alive.

I brought her home and began nursing her back to health. Many weeks later, she was much better, and I was madly in love, and bold enough to steal an innocent kiss. As our lips touched, she took human form.

We’ve been happily married now for forty-one wonderful years, but I’m still always surprised by the slightly fishy smell when we embrace.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Denny Marshall says

    February 1, 2017 at 4:01 pm

    Nice, compact, to the point. 42 years is a longtime to be together.

    Reply
  2. Letson says

    February 2, 2017 at 12:18 pm

    “Fishy smell”; surprisingly, wonderful touch. Not being much into mermaids, do all of them come with fin-tails?
    Apparently the transforming kiss got rid of everything fishy, except the smell. Very interesting twist on Prince Charming.

    Reply

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