Dazed, unseeing, she finally left the room, not knowing or caring where she was headed. The axis of her world had shifted. Forever after, it would be winter.
Whose arms are these? she wondered, their stiff weight surprising her, their purpose now in question. Not her arms! They had never been this empty.
Was it only minutes since she’d held him, and brushed frenzied kisses against his cooling forehead? Her impotent caresses had protested his leave-taking, knowing even then the remainder of her life would be a requiem to loss.
Her son.
How would she go on?
__________________
Author’s Note: Prompt to write 100 word flash fiction based on above photograph. Photo prompt courtesy of 100 Word Story, link here.
Odyssey of a Novice Writer 
Heart breaking in its sparsity, and oh so moving.
I empathize with your character. I have only one child, a son, and the worst thing that could happen to me is for something to happen to him. Very emotional…well told…
Kathy
Thanks, Kathy. Something about the tilt of the photo and the manner in which the woman’s arms hung at her sides steered me in the direction the story took. To me, her body posture seemed to indicate a great shock, and then I wondered what might provoke such a reaction. That’s when I came up the idea of the loss of a child.
I meant to also thank you for the kind words about the story. Very much appreciated! 🙂
As writers, I think we see the world a bit differently than those who don’t write. Everything we see, everything we hear, can produce a “what if…?”
Excellent. So well done, my dear. What a horror for that woman. What an incredible response to that photo prompt. Bravo. Lucy
Thanks, Lucy – that photo really caught my attention. The way it was tilted, the woman’s body posture. It spoke of a world (her world) gone haywire. I appreciate the compliment! 🙂
This story reminds me of my sister so much. Tears..
Well done, Kate. Beautiful emotion! Sad…
Hi Audrey, thank you for the kind words. I’m sorry to learn that this story brought to mind a similar sorrow for your sister. I think it must take great courage to go on after such a tragic loss. ❤
It’s always good to think of that time, Kate. He was a blessing, no matter how long we had him for.
❤
An emotional scene. I don’t know whether you had a particular age for the mothers son in this story, but to me it could actually apply to a son of any age, and I hope I have read this right in interpreting this was in fact your intention. Clever writing……Whatever, it is a great short story. depicting a mothers sorrow at the loss of her son…
Thanks, Margaret. I had in mind a very young child, perhaps taken a fever, but you’re right – the story could work with the age of any child. Thanks for the comment! 🙂
Beautiful
Thank you! 🙂
I forgot to say ‘great work!’ 🙂
Thanks, Heather! I’m glad you enjoyed the story. 🙂 It must be very difficult to go on after the loss of a child.
Beautiful and heart-wrenching, especially considering that I spent the morning with a two beautiful children that are very special to me. To be able to spend time with them and hold them in my arms was a precious gift.
There’s no greater love than that of a child, there is something so pure and wonderful about it.
A complete story, beautifully wrapped in so few words. You continue to amaze and delight with your writing prowess!
You’re always so gallant, Mark. Thanks for the kind words! 🙂
I got chills when I read it. I loved it!
Thanks, Melanie! 🙂
You have the ability to say soooo much with so few words. Very good.
Thanks, Linda – I appreciate the compliment! 🙂
Great story, Kate. Emotional.
Thanks, Noelle! Glad that the emotion in the story came through. 🙂
I’ve been working on a piece of flash fiction, trying to get it from 200 to 100 words. Not easy! Great job.
Hi Julia, I feel your pain! The hardest thing I experience with flash fiction is editing down my story to the acceptable word count. I’m always over, and I wind up spending half my time trimming the stories so that the fluff is gone – but the meat is still there. Thank you for the compliment! 🙂
Wow…. I have this strong urge to hold my own son reading this…only he’s away for the weekend with his dad…gulp
Give that boy a big hug when he comes home! 🙂
It’s very emotional. Thank you.
Thank you for commenting – it’s nice to know that you read the story and enjoyed it. 🙂