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101 Word Short Stories

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Out of Focus

January 7, 2025 16 Comments

By Ani Tashjian

Dot doesn’t see her face, unless there’s an unexpected reflection somewhere. Perhaps in a curtainless window at night or in the shiny metal tray on her bedside table. Out of focus. Unfathomable. 

Dot tries to remember her face as it was all those years ago when she was only eighty-five and still living alone in her own house. After they knew about the falls, after they moved her to assisted living, Dot still saw a face she recognized in the bathroom mirror. 

But now, away in the nursing home, she doesn’t need mirrors to see herself. Their faces give hers away.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Devonne Parsons says

    January 7, 2025 at 11:20 am

    Lovely.

    Reply
  2. Ani Tashjian says

    January 7, 2025 at 12:59 pm

    Thanks so much, Devonne. Happy you enjoyed it.

    Reply
  3. Patricia Pease says

    January 7, 2025 at 4:15 pm

    So poignant and wonderful! Well done, Ani!

    Reply
    • Ani Tashjian says

      January 7, 2025 at 4:28 pm

      Thanks so much, Patricia. I appreciate your comment!

      Reply
  4. Ed Kratz says

    January 7, 2025 at 8:27 pm

    Perfect. So much emotion packed into this.

    Reply
    • Ani Tashjian says

      January 7, 2025 at 8:35 pm

      Thanks so much, Ed. Definately a tough subject.

      Reply
  5. Faith says

    January 8, 2025 at 7:37 am

    Sounds like what my Mom went through. Well done and relatable.

    Reply
    • Ani Tashjian says

      January 8, 2025 at 9:55 am

      Thank you, Faith. A difficult experience for so many. I appreciate your comment!

      Reply
  6. Mark Hendrickson says

    January 8, 2025 at 12:49 pm

    Haunting and sad. Tugs at you long after you have finished reading.

    Reply
    • Ani Tashjian says

      January 8, 2025 at 1:37 pm

      Thanks so much, Mark. Such a lovely thing to say!

      Reply
  7. Margie says

    January 10, 2025 at 10:24 pm

    Nearing an age where nursing homes are not so distant, I can feel Dot’s pain.
    Well done!

    Reply
    • Ani Tashjian says

      January 11, 2025 at 2:45 pm

      Thank you so much, Margie. I’m with you.

      Reply
  8. jaxson-dan says

    January 14, 2025 at 1:51 am

    Love those last two sentences. Perfect.

    Reply
    • Ani Tashjian says

      January 15, 2025 at 2:01 pm

      Thanks so much, Jackson-Dan. I appreciate your comment!

      Reply
  9. Kelly Louisa Balliu says

    January 20, 2025 at 2:20 am

    Sad and extremely telling about way we view the passage of time. Nice work.

    Reply
    • Ani Tashjian says

      January 23, 2025 at 4:24 pm

      It certainly is sad, Kelly. And thanks for reading and commenting!

      Reply

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