April 1: Flash Fiction Challenge – Gone

Charli’s Carrot Ranch Prompt, dedicated to our wonderful friend, Sue Vincent:

April 1 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a swift passage. You can take inspiration from any source. Who is going where and why. What makes it swift? Go where the prompt leads!

Gone

Gone.

Just like that.

One minute, he was there, the next minute, not.

I’d sat by his side for days and nights, stroking his hand, answering to his quiet murmurs, sponging him down, dripping refreshing liquid onto his parched lips.

I knew it was coming, and I wanted to squeeze memories into every second of life that he had left, with him.

And yet, he still managed to go, without allowing me to say goodbye.

He squeezed my hand, so I turned for the glass, and I returned to a face, smiling, at peace, finally.

Just like that.

Gone.

https://carrotranch.com/2021/04/01/april-1-flash-fiction-challenge-2/

43 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Trackback: Swift Passage « Carrot Ranch Literary Community
  2. Charli Mills
    Apr 07, 2021 @ 06:12:58

    You express the shock of gone in heartfelt words. Love and hugs to you, Ritu.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. Gloria
    Apr 05, 2021 @ 17:30:21

    Condolences on the passing of your uncle Ritu. It’s like you wrote this for him. ♥️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. Jennie
    Apr 04, 2021 @ 12:51:42

    Really lovely and very touching!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. Erika
    Apr 03, 2021 @ 16:52:57

    That was very touching, sis!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. Keith
    Apr 03, 2021 @ 14:42:30

    So very real, but sad nonetheless. Thanks Ritu, Keith

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. thereluctantpoet
    Apr 03, 2021 @ 14:35:38

    Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. robbiesinspiration
    Apr 03, 2021 @ 10:02:59

    It is a blessing to go peacefully like this.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. lssattitudeofgratitude
    Apr 03, 2021 @ 05:47:25

    Very beautiful and touching

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. willowdot21
    Apr 03, 2021 @ 00:03:06

    I also with my Dad at the moment of his death it is just like that swift.💜💜💜

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. willowdot21
    Apr 03, 2021 @ 00:01:39

    Beautiful 💜

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. Colleen M. Chesebro
    Apr 02, 2021 @ 21:04:45

    Oh, Sis… I’m so sorry. What a lovely piece to honor Sue. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. johnrieber
    Apr 02, 2021 @ 20:08:09

    Powerful. Bravo.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. pensitivity101
    Apr 02, 2021 @ 19:58:32

    I was with my Dad when he passed away, though he never regained consciousness. Mum was holding his right hand and I was holding his left when he just slipped away quietly.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  15. Annette Rochelle Aben
    Apr 02, 2021 @ 19:56:41

    Often it does happen THAT quickly ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. NeverSilenceTheMadness
    Apr 02, 2021 @ 19:42:58

    💔 heartbreakingly beautiful

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  17. Dr. Andrea Dinardo
    Apr 02, 2021 @ 19:38:28

    Peace be with you Ritu. This is excellent.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  18. Brenda Marie Fluharty
    Apr 02, 2021 @ 19:27:27

    I love this sounds like how I felt when my father died.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  19. Shivangi
    Apr 02, 2021 @ 19:18:19

    Moving story, Ritu! 👏👌

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

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