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101 Word Short Stories

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Small Change

August 30, 2024 10 Comments

By Christie Walker Bos

Raised on a silver spoon and daily mass, I briefly consider crossing the street to avoid the man living outside my office.

Hunkered on a dirty slab of cardboard, a jumble of stained clothing holds the man together. My $600 black pumps tap out my nervous approach. Rattling coins in a rusty can ask the unspoken question. Clenched in my fist is the change from the purchase of my morning addiction.

Holding my breath, avoiding eye contact, I make my deposit. It’s never enough. With the toll paid, I rush on, my guilt alleviated.

Tomorrow a sandwich and hot coffee instead.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lian says

    September 4, 2024 at 9:05 am

    Very emotive!

    Reply
  2. Faith says

    September 4, 2024 at 10:10 am

    Very real. I liked “toll paid…”

    Reply
  3. Lori Brookes says

    September 4, 2024 at 1:00 pm

    Nicely done!

    Reply
  4. Lisa H. Owens says

    September 4, 2024 at 4:23 pm

    I felt this one in my soul. Truth.

    Reply
  5. Ramona Taylor says

    September 4, 2024 at 6:17 pm

    Yes that’s the way it is. Good job showing it in just 101 words.

    Reply
  6. Gloria says

    September 5, 2024 at 3:35 am

    Awesome! “the toll paid”…

    Reply
  7. Patrice Carlisle says

    September 5, 2024 at 11:23 am

    You captured the moment ! Well done.

    Reply
  8. Harris says

    September 7, 2024 at 7:01 am

    Ah, always a dilemma – I love this story!

    Reply
  9. Kelly Louisa Balliu says

    September 26, 2024 at 12:04 pm

    It’d be good for them to strike up a conversation next time 🙂 You can never tell how far people will drift from their beginnings.. A great piece of writing.

    Reply
  10. Brian Costanzo says

    March 27, 2025 at 8:32 am

    Love you mum.
    Let that imagination run.
    A world revolving around a sun. Providing a lot, but some have none. A simple token to brighten a day. Might provide a meal.
    Might provide a way.
    A small sacrifice of daily delight.
    Might be all that is right.
    Love you mum.
    Love your son.

    Reply

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