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101 Word Short Stories

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One-Room Schoolhouse

July 18, 2023 12 Comments

By Paul Scott Wood

We dismantled the building piecemeal, salvaging the doors, windows, siding, and floorboards for resale. The bell was donated to the library. The five surviving classmates who witnessed it began to embrace and wept as they saw a chapter of their lives disappearing.

“I’ll take the cloakroom,” I said, and began removing the shelving and coat racks, when suddenly an old wrinkled white envelope with a red rose drawn on it dropped to the floor.

I opened it and read, Billy and I shared our first kiss here during twelfth grade. Signed Jessica Wiler.

Jessica Wiler was my grandmother.

Who was Billy?

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rosemarie says

    July 18, 2023 at 10:24 am

    I hope you write the rest of this story. I would love to keep reading.

    Reply
  2. Valli says

    July 18, 2023 at 11:34 am

    It would be nice to read a longer story… you’ve got my interest…kudos…

    Reply
  3. David Higham says

    July 19, 2023 at 8:27 am

    Great three word payoff.

    Reply
  4. Paul Lewthwaite says

    July 19, 2023 at 10:17 am

    Liked this, but you can’t leave it on a cliffhanger like that – lol. Need to read what happens next!

    Reply
    • Kelly Louisa Balliu says

      July 20, 2023 at 2:41 pm

      I agree! More please 🙂

      Reply
  5. Bud says

    July 19, 2023 at 10:45 am

    Very nice. Sentimental with a twist at the end.

    Reply
  6. Pamela Cartlidge says

    July 19, 2023 at 11:59 am

    Loved this. somewhat spooky?

    Reply
  7. Jennifer J. says

    July 19, 2023 at 3:52 pm

    This is a wonderful piece. Consider writing a short story from it. Well done.

    Reply
  8. maria warner says

    July 19, 2023 at 6:14 pm

    Oh, ending with a clif hanger. I want more.

    Reply
  9. Sandra L. Todd says

    July 19, 2023 at 7:21 pm

    Tell me, quick. Love it. More?

    Thank you!

    Reply
  10. Geneviève Goggin says

    July 22, 2023 at 11:20 am

    Sweet little story!

    Reply
  11. Michael Talledes says

    July 23, 2023 at 8:48 pm

    This was fantastic! Truly want to read more.

    Reply

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