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101 Word Short Stories

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The Shed

December 19, 2022 6 Comments

By Claire Lawrence

Allen lobbed a Russian vine into the garden. He said the voracious plant with delicate, lacy flowers would cover the run-down shed. I tried to stop him.

He stood wiping the dirt onto his dress pants, both him and the pants fresh off the plane from Moscow.

It will smother everything in its path, I said.

That’s the point.

But, the shed, I protested. It’s where we first made love. It will vanish.

Allen glanced at my grey hair, sagging breasts, and apron belly.

You’re right. I imagine it will.

What are you saying?

I’ve met someone. Her name is Oksana.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Valli says

    December 19, 2022 at 5:25 pm

    Nice read… great choice of words which sadly reflected how someone can be replaced in the blink of an eye… kudos …

    Reply
  2. Andre says

    December 21, 2022 at 8:52 am

    How so many relationships end. The other just never knew and is just left to wonder. Lovely use of the Russian Vine as metaphor

    Reply
  3. Jean Barbaro says

    December 21, 2022 at 8:24 pm

    Lovely, timely, insightful story.

    Reply
  4. Toni Brayer says

    December 22, 2022 at 12:23 am

    Nice cadence and twist

    Reply
  5. Chetana Vaishnavi says

    December 24, 2022 at 1:03 am

    Sad story.
    How people live on by hurting others

    Reply
  6. Lynda says

    December 26, 2022 at 2:38 pm

    Effective symbolism.

    Reply

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