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101 Word Short Stories

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White Christmas

August 27, 2021 21 Comments

By J. P. Olesen

“Do you truly believe your parents will like me?” Marjia asked. She eyed the family’s big Cape Cod-style house with apprehension.

Well, I thought, why shouldn’t she be nervous? If I was meeting her folks back in Malaysia for Ramadan, I’d be one jittery mat salleh.

“Oh, honey,” I replied. “Mom and Dad aren’t what you’re thinking. Besides, it’s Christmastime.”

My parents did me proud. In fact, everything went so smoothly, I decided to speak to them later about our plans.

That’s when I overheard Father asking, “So, what do you think about our son’s little Aborigine?” and Mother quietly giggling.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shoshauna says

    August 27, 2021 at 8:32 am

    Ouch. This hurts.

    Reply
    • J. P. Olesen says

      August 27, 2021 at 10:09 am

      Yeah, stuff like that always does. Thanks for commenting! J. P.

      Reply
  2. Michelle Mellon says

    August 27, 2021 at 9:56 am

    “White” Christmas. Nicely done.

    Reply
    • J. P. Olesen says

      August 27, 2021 at 10:10 am

      Thank you, Michelle. It’s much appreciated. J. P.

      Reply
  3. b. says

    August 27, 2021 at 11:12 am

    Nice, well written story. Big surprises when least expected.

    Reply
    • J. P. Olesen says

      August 27, 2021 at 1:08 pm

      Thanks for taking the time to read and comment, b!

      Reply
  4. Rosemarie Schaut says

    August 27, 2021 at 12:18 pm

    I love this. ?

    Reply
    • J. P. Olesen says

      August 27, 2021 at 1:09 pm

      Thank you so much Rosemarie!

      Reply
  5. Amanda Barusch says

    August 27, 2021 at 12:27 pm

    I love this story. It’s a great read and that closing twist is just brutal.

    Reply
    • Amanda Barusch says

      August 27, 2021 at 12:28 pm

      Oh yeah, I agree with Michelle – the title’s perfect.

      Reply
    • J. P. Olesen says

      August 27, 2021 at 1:11 pm

      Thanks for those comments, Amanda 🙂

      Reply
  6. nancy liddle says

    August 27, 2021 at 7:30 pm

    big theme held so delicately in 101 words! bravo!

    Reply
    • J. P. Olesen says

      August 27, 2021 at 8:56 pm

      Thanks for those very kind words, Nancy!

      Reply
  7. Pauline Rendall says

    August 28, 2021 at 2:12 am

    Gosh, that’s crushing! Beautifully written.

    Reply
  8. J. P. Olesen says

    August 28, 2021 at 11:35 am

    Thank you, Pauline! That’s very flattering.

    Reply
  9. Debbie says

    August 30, 2021 at 8:57 pm

    Very well done! Amazing that you can tell so much, with so few words! Impressive… and heartbreaking!

    Reply
  10. J. P. Olesen says

    August 31, 2021 at 12:15 am

    Thank you, Debbie! Sometimes, the best fiction is based on truth.

    Reply
  11. Michael says

    September 1, 2021 at 9:45 am

    Devastating.

    Reply
  12. J. P. Olesen says

    September 1, 2021 at 1:14 pm

    Thank you, Michael! You should write microfiction. From the guy’s perspective, “devastating” pretty well sums it up.

    Reply
  13. Dan says

    September 3, 2021 at 12:56 pm

    I love how you included so much detail and scene in just 101 words.

    Reply
  14. J. P. Olesen says

    September 3, 2021 at 2:25 pm

    Thank you, Dan! Very thoughtful of you to comment.

    Reply

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