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101 Words

101 Word Short Stories

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New Reality

April 14, 2024 14 Comments

By Elizabeth Erin

Her alarm clock was a hand on her shoulder, a kiss on the cheek, the smell of coffee and a hot cup at her bedside. Waffles prepared from scratch, the highlight of her morning. Her only complaint was the recurring sight of a pair of dirty socks lying next to the laundry basket.

But for the first time in months, she overslept. Arrived late to work, stomach empty, takeaway coffee in hand, freshly haunted by the unfamiliar touch of cold, smooth linen on the undisturbed side of the bed.

She would give anything to pick up those socks one more time.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Michelle Mellon says

    April 14, 2024 at 8:00 am

    Beautiful. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth E. says

      April 14, 2024 at 7:24 pm

      Thank you, Michelle!

      Reply
  2. Kevin says

    April 14, 2024 at 8:00 am

    An evocative, wonderful piece of writing. Kudos.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth E. says

      April 14, 2024 at 7:25 pm

      Thank you, Kevin!

      Reply
  3. Dart humeston says

    April 14, 2024 at 8:07 am

    Well written and beautiful story.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth E. says

      April 14, 2024 at 7:27 pm

      Thank you, Dart!

      Reply
  4. Shoshauna says

    April 14, 2024 at 9:15 am

    This hollows me out every time I read it.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth E. says

      April 14, 2024 at 7:24 pm

      Thank you, Shoshauna! I enjoyed the editing process with this story.

      Reply
  5. Cathryn says

    April 14, 2024 at 9:58 am

    Hello Elizabeth,
    Evocative writing. Splendid!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth E. says

      April 14, 2024 at 7:30 pm

      Thank you, Cathryn!

      Reply
  6. Helena says

    April 14, 2024 at 3:51 pm

    That made me emotional. Painfully sad and painfully real.

    Reply
  7. Liz says

    April 14, 2024 at 5:29 pm

    Lovely writing, nice 🙂

    Reply
  8. Elizabeth E. says

    April 14, 2024 at 7:26 pm

    Thank you for reading!

    Reply
  9. Dan Graves says

    April 21, 2024 at 4:40 am

    poignant

    Reply

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