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101 Word Short Stories

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Saying Goodbye

March 2, 2021 7 Comments

By Nancy Reckler

My mom stands on the porch, as always, and waves goodbye when we drive away, her hand stretched up, swaying high above her head.

From the rearview mirror, I watch her small house getting smaller and toot the car horn, as always, when we turn left onto the road home.

She likes to clear the table she set for us, a summer feast on her blue-rimmed dishes. Sliced tomatoes soaked in vinegar with crusty bread for dunking, roasted corn rolled in butter and extra napkins for my kids.

She lathers each dish with a soapy sponge, savoring the last August days.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julia says

    March 2, 2021 at 8:21 am

    What a wonderful summery and poignant scene to read on this cold and blustery morning!

    Reply
  2. Constanée Malik Hemedi says

    March 3, 2021 at 6:09 am

    This is very nice. So calm, so normal in times that are anything but.

    Reply
  3. Cassandra Cassandra Hamilton says

    March 3, 2021 at 7:55 am

    Nice scene! Vivid.

    Reply
  4. David Daniel says

    March 3, 2021 at 8:35 am

    Very evocative!

    Reply
  5. Alex Markovich says

    March 3, 2021 at 9:32 am

    As our daughter is leaving after a several-days’ stay, she always toots the horn while she’s turning left onto the main road. Maybe everybody’s kids do. This story captured the mood perfectly.

    Reply
  6. Beena Khan says

    March 3, 2021 at 2:42 pm

    Such a lovely little window showing the love in a family .

    Reply
  7. Lydiaq says

    March 7, 2021 at 9:24 pm

    Sweetly told.

    Reply

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