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101 Words

101 Word Short Stories

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Touch

October 16, 2023 8 Comments

By Sharika Nair

He reduced initiating sex, at first. From once a month to once a few to not at all.

The hugs and kisses disappeared more slowly, into the nooks and crannies of their beautiful, cozy home. Holding hands and cuddling on the couch retreated into the safe space of memories.

The day he passed her the remote, his fingers awkwardly avoiding the brush of hers, she shed hot tears into her pillow.

Even her mother, her biggest cheerleader, failed to support her. “How is being divorced and alone better?”

But she knew living alone, unloved, was better than living with a loved one, unloved.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. David says

    October 16, 2023 at 2:31 pm

    Perfect use of your 101 words.

    Reply
    • Lisa H. Owens says

      October 18, 2023 at 7:53 am

      Wow! The entire decline of a marriage, told very well in 101words. Nice work!

      Reply
      • Sharika Nair says

        October 20, 2023 at 3:10 am

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
    • Sharika Nair says

      October 20, 2023 at 3:10 am

      Thank you David! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Mike McCarty says

    October 18, 2023 at 9:37 am

    Masterful and economic — reducing a big story arc to 101 words. Hats off to you.

    Reply
    • Sharika Nair says

      October 20, 2023 at 3:13 am

      Thank you so much! The word limit really does push writers to remove everything that is even slightly extraneous.

      Reply
  3. Nancy Finston says

    October 19, 2023 at 1:57 pm

    It’s amazing the story one can tell in 101 words. The story of my marriage!

    Reply
    • Sharika Nair says

      October 20, 2023 at 3:14 am

      Thank you Nancy! Hugs!!

      Reply

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