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101 Word Short Stories

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Perseus

May 2, 2021 7 Comments

By Brooke Castro

Tomorrow, when all that’s left are footprints in the grass and forgotten orange peels, we’ll take the long way home. Boxes on the porch, your whole life packed neat. You’ll ride passenger in your dad’s Tacoma, past the Welcome to Georgia sign. Windows down, Corgi in your lap, asleep.

Tonight, moonlight soaks the pasture. My heart is in my throat. I’m too aware of my own breathing.

Look, you say, pointing up. There’s Orion.

I turn to tell you I love you.

But you aren’t paying attention.

What you’ll remember: a childhood friend, the quiet, and Orion that is actually Perseus.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Derek says

    May 2, 2021 at 11:33 am

    This is a good tale, well-written. It captures a moment perfectly

    Reply
  2. Jeffrey M. Dean says

    May 2, 2021 at 1:49 pm

    Wow! All that in 101 words!

    Reply
  3. Constanée Malik Hemedi says

    May 3, 2021 at 6:49 am

    I find the part about wanting to say “I love you” and then it doesn’t get said, particularly poignant. They say it is the things we don’t do in life, that we regret the most.

    Reply
  4. Lou says

    May 3, 2021 at 9:33 am

    This is the best 101 Word Story I’ve read this year. Thank you.

    Reply
  5. Violet James says

    May 3, 2021 at 10:46 am

    lovely

    Reply
  6. Ruth M says

    May 3, 2021 at 5:31 pm

    Loved it! It made me feel sad and a good story should make you feel anything but indifference.

    Reply
  7. Richard Temple says

    May 5, 2021 at 11:00 am

    Brilliant and moving

    Reply

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