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101 Word Short Stories

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Mortgages & ATMs

January 13, 2022 7 Comments

By Alan J Wahnefried

ATM lines are supposed to be fast. It was January. He’d been shivering in line for 15 minutes. The woman at the ATM was a flurry of activity. She repeatedly shoved envelopes, pushed buttons, and grabbed receipts. A chilled brunette ahead of him hugged herself against the wind. He opined, “I expected trouble when people could get mortgages at ATMs.”

She looked back at him and smiled. “Bet you a coffee she won’t be done in 5 minutes,” she rejoined.

“You’re on! It has to be a good cup of coffee.”

“I know a place.”

The conversation and stopwatches started simultaneously.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Howard Humes says

    January 13, 2022 at 7:18 am

    A great story filled with the hope of romance.

    Reply
  2. Helen C says

    January 13, 2022 at 7:53 am

    Very easy to imagine the scene and a lovely open ending which promises much!

    Reply
  3. Mary A Gorman says

    January 13, 2022 at 9:45 am

    Better than a dating app…great story

    Reply
  4. Liz says

    January 15, 2022 at 1:52 am

    Really liked that – sweet ending.

    Reply
  5. Adam R. says

    January 15, 2022 at 2:10 am

    Begin with the mundane, add some absurdity, gently fold in playful camaraderie with a chance of romance, and finish with an upturn of hope. A recipe we should all try and enjoy in our lives. Thank you Alan

    Reply
    • Alan J Wahnefried says

      January 15, 2022 at 9:58 am

      You are welcome

      Reply
  6. Denise Bayes says

    January 23, 2022 at 2:04 am

    Love the setting which is so much part of our lives that we don’t even notice it. Which makes the juxtaposition work so well

    Reply

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