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101 Word Short Stories

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Catharsis

January 13, 2024 13 Comments

By Michael Barbato-Dunn

Patrick drove north, far from the wreckage, into a town west of the hulking mountains. He charged everything to his Amex: the cabin, cross-country skis, gear and provisions. The cost would be covered by the settlement.

Each morning, he rose at four, brewed coffee and fried eggs, then suited up and strapped on the skis. Each day, he roamed for hours, no set route, no break, returning after dusk, stomach churning. Then he warmed soup and looked at pictures of her as he ate.

After three months, the ski bindings wore out. Only then did he return to their empty house.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shoshauna says

    January 13, 2024 at 5:45 pm

    This is a heartbreak, Michael. Having just received a snowfall of 10 inches, I can picture every moment here.

    Reply
    • Michael Barbato-Dunn says

      January 13, 2024 at 6:24 pm

      Thank you, Shoshauna. I posted this on FB and a couple of Discord groups I’m on, and noted what a great experience it was working with you to whip this into shape. I greatly appreciate it.

      Good luck in the snow!

      Reply
  2. Shoshauna says

    January 14, 2024 at 11:44 am

    Hope to read more of your stories in the future —–

    Reply
  3. Nina Miller says

    January 17, 2024 at 9:17 am

    Heartbreaking a beautiful. Love how this was crafted. That last image is everything.

    Reply
    • Michael Barbato-Dunn says

      January 17, 2024 at 5:15 pm

      Thank you Nina!

      Reply
  4. Kelli Borges says

    January 17, 2024 at 10:14 am

    Heartbreaking, and beautifully written!

    Reply
    • Michael Barbato-Dunn says

      January 17, 2024 at 5:15 pm

      Thank you, appreciate it!

      Reply
  5. Liz Gauffreau says

    January 17, 2024 at 11:56 am

    I was very moved by this story. Well done!

    Reply
    • Michael Barbato-Dunn says

      January 17, 2024 at 5:16 pm

      Thanks so much!

      Reply
  6. Paulene says

    January 22, 2024 at 8:40 am

    Gosh. Power punch. I was intrigued as to where the story was going. Glad I was confounded. ?

    Reply
  7. Marie Barski says

    January 24, 2024 at 12:13 am

    Nicely done.

    Reply
  8. Pamela Cartlidge says

    January 24, 2024 at 7:17 am

    How to cope with grief! Good story.

    Reply
  9. Richard Mansbach says

    January 24, 2024 at 4:22 pm

    Quite impactful and well written.

    Reply

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