Last Rites
The diagnosis came, “It’s terminal,” the doctor said. The words hit hard, but deep inside, we knew. We had watched her fade after multiple surgeries to remove diseased parts. Braces could no longer support her weakened limbs; the loss of balance and stability, the decrease in body mass–a harbinger of things to come. The once-strong arms couldn’t provide the shelter and security of their younger days. Her presence had become a liability. Who knew when she might fall? Then what would we do? It was decided, she would spend her final days at the Laguna Beach Sawdust Art Festival.
Linking to Friday Fictioneers.
Click the link for more information about the 100-word-photo-prompt fiction stories. It’s open to everyone.
oh, you’re a monster. you had me going until the ‘her presence was a liability’ turn.
LikeLike
LOL I think this is the first time I’ve been called a monster, Theresa. I shall have to make a note of it! 😉
LikeLike
I love surprise endings!
LikeLike
Thanks, Jan. 🙂
LikeLike
Double twist there, had me fooled. Well done.
LikeLike
Thanks, Sandra.
LikeLike
I love these twisters. 🙂
LikeLike
Oh, good, yarnspinnerr! 🙂
LikeLike
Dear Patti,
This story had me in tears until the end which made me smile.
shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
I hope that was a good thing, Rochelle. 🙂 Shalom.
LikeLike
Great writing….but who are you talking about? Sad, whoever or whatever it is.
LikeLike
I used the gnarly old tree in front of the church as my prompt, Cindy. Sorry, with only 100 words, it isn’t always as clear as I see it in my head.
LikeLike
I did not see the twist coming! Love that the tree meant so much to them—even if she got turned into sawdust at the end!
LikeLike
Oh, good, Wanderer, I was afraid I’d give it away too soon. Thanks for reading.:)
LikeLike
Toff funny! But… it’s so dusty in here! Is it too late one of my answers from your Share Your World post to ‘Sneezy’?!
🙂
LikeLike
LOL God bless you, Robert. 🙂
LikeLike
Seems like a fitting ending for such a great lady – ‘Sawdust Festival’
Made me smile.
LikeLike
Thanks, Mike. 🙂
LikeLike
Very clever. I love stories where when you get to the end you just have to read them again.
LikeLike
Thank you so much, claireful. What a lovely thing to say.
LikeLike
I love that photo! I love old buildings like the one you have pictured!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
LikeLike
Me, too, Linda. I’d love to pay that one a visit.
LikeLike
And here I thought they were talking of the matriarch of the family. I thought it was pretty harsh to call her a liability 🙂 A sawdust festival is a respectable end for a tree, though.
LikeLike
I thought “liability” might give it away, Janna. That would be a cruel thing to say.
LikeLike
Very deep. Punches you right in the gut. Excellent job.
LikeLike
Thanks for reading, Angelia. 🙂
LikeLike
My first reading took it very literally. it was only after I read other comments that I realised my error. Duh. Clever.
LikeLike
Thanks for taking the time to figure it out, Patrick. Fiction is new to me, so I’m still finding my way. I didn’t want to give it away too soon, but maybe I should have?
LikeLike
Very clever. At first, I was thinking you were talking about the building caving in – and I wondered what you meant about the sawdust festival. It wasn’t until I read the comments that I got it was the tree. I must be pretty wooden-headed.
LikeLike
Maybe I should have left better clues, Russell. Thanks for reading.
LikeLike
Saw dust art festival huh? lol
LikeLike
It’s a real festival, Dawn! I was wondering how I could end on a happy note with the sawdust demise, so I turned to my good friend Google. Voila!
LikeLike
I’m not surprised its a real festival, still funny, though.
LikeLike
A sawdust festival.. that’s one way to end it. … poor old tree.
LikeLike
That seemed like a happy ending, Bjorn. Thanks for reading.
LikeLike
We had an old oak being cut down here … and it was used to feed a rare kind of beetle… wonder what’s best.
LikeLike
Was it cut down for that purpose–to feed the beetle–or was that a side-effect?
LikeLike
It was a very old oak, and it was claimed it was a hazard. a lot of demonstrations and media… very sad end for the oak… many hundred years old.
LikeLike
i loved the twist at the end, a pleasant surprise. very effective and masterfully handled. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, kz. 🙂 What a lovely compliment.
LikeLike
I am so connected to our Oaks that I knew right away!
LikeLike
Thanks for words of confirmation, Pix. Have a great week!
LikeLike
You are the queen of flash fiction! I’ve got to learn that art. I can’t write a short story less than 1500 words, and even that is nearly impossible for me. Well, well done!
LikeLike
I appreciate your kinds words of encouragement, Susan. A hundred words is about all I’m good for! Thank you.
LikeLike