Left Behind

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Photo Copyright: C.E. Ayr

Here we are again and this week we’re gathered near a desk in a living room. We’ve come together to discuss our original stories for the week. This is the Friday Fictioneer’s group. Our hostess for the gathering is the talented and gracious author and artist, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. The challenge for each of us this week and every week is to write a story with no more than 100 words, not counting the title. It’s supposed to have a beginning, middle, end, and be inspired by the picture prompt for the week. This week’s prompt was provided by C.E. Ayr. Thanks, C.E. To read the other stories by group members, just click on the link below, then on the smiling frog. Next, follow the given directions.

13 September 2019

Genre: Human Interest Fiction

Word Count: 100 Words

Left Behind by P.S. Joshi

My mother left us. She’d always been there to help, and I guess we thought she always would be. A sudden massive heart attack during a nap took her.

There were no hospital or nursing home bills left behind. She never wanted to cause trouble. I wonder if she prayed to go that way. It was something she’d do.

A heartbreaking memory was left behind. I cried when I found it.

On the desk was an open mystery book, with her glasses resting on top. I took a picture, made copies for other family members, and framed mine.

Bye, Mom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

45 thoughts on “Left Behind”

    • Thanks, Rochelle. I’m glad you liked the story. My dad died that way the day he came home after a month-long stay in the hospital. It was 1980 and they didn’t check for blood clots. It was hard on us but it could have been even worse. As a retired fireman, he had a great medical plan that covered the total hospital stay. —- Suzanne

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    • Thanks, Sandra. It was hard. I found him when I took a suitcase into the bedroom. I was planning to stay at my parent’s home with my children and my mother until he got his strength back. My husband had brought him from the hospital and given him lunch. —- Suzanne

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    • Thanks, Nan. I’m glad you liked the story so much. It is hard not being there when someone passes. It happened to me with my husband also. He was due to come home. It was physically difficult for me to go to the hospital when he went so his caregiver went and was there with him. It was the third day and he was improving. His cousin, a doctor, was also there. I got a call from the doctor treating him. There are forty-three steps to our flat in the building and no elevator. I use a walker. I got a ride with another relative and saw his body at the hospital. Hopefully, I’ll be able to move to a building with an elevator soon. —- Suzanne

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  14. So poignant. My dad went blind in his last years, and it was one of his great sadnesses that he could no longer read his beloved books. Also, I wasn’t able to say goodbye before he died. So this beautiful story was hard to read, but so well done. Thank you.

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    • I understand your pain. My mother was almost totally blind and had Alzheimer’s when she died at the age of 93 in 1994. I couldn’t take off from work to be with her as she gradually weakened when she stopped eating. She finally caught the flu from another visitor at the nursing home and died peacefully. We had given directions she be kept comfortable but extreme measures were not to be taken. Thank you for sharing. ❤ —- Suzanne

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