The Spot, by Padmini Krishnan

15/9/2023

Editor's Choice

My mom did not pick me up that day. It had been 3 hours after school. At last, a neighbour came to collect me.

Policemen were bustling on the ground below my apartment. I was whisked to my unit on the fifteenth floor. My grandmom was there, sobbing.

‘’Your mom has gone to Bangalore,’’ she told me.

My dad stood on the balcony, staring down.

The next day, I saw a red spot on the ground where the police stood.

It has been two years now. The spot is still there. And my mom has not yet returned from Bangalore.

21 Comments

Krystyna

15/9/2023 02:40:26 pm

Congratulations on the “Editor’s Choice”, Padmini.
You’ve done well in the story progression of a sad, difficult topic.

Padmini

15/9/2023 07:33:06 pm

Thanks a lot, Krystyna. Hope you are well. It had been a few months since I wrote flash fiction.

This was written in the memory of an acquaintance.

Paul Freeman

15/9/2023 02:57:54 pm

The best flash fiction infers rather than states, as this story does.

Padmini

15/9/2023 07:33:51 pm

Thank you so much or reading, Paul, and your kind words.

Padmini

15/9/2023 07:36:12 pm

Thank you so much, Gordon, for selecting my story as the editor's choice this week.

Sivan Pillai

16/9/2023 05:21:34 am

The child has to learn to live without her mother. Nice story, Padmini.

Padmini

16/9/2023 05:39:03 am

Yes, you are right. Thank you so much for reading, Sivan

Tom Baldwin

16/9/2023 05:28:38 am

There is a lot unsaid in this story. Wel done, Padmini.

Padmini

16/9/2023 07:07:55 am

Thank you so much, Tom, for your encouraging words

Sue Clayton

16/9/2023 05:50:44 am

The truth might have been kinder. This child's heart is breaking every day.

Padmini

16/9/2023 07:13:36 am

You are right, Sue. It is even more heartbreaking indeed when the kid has no nanny and the father is away in office for 10-12 hours a day. The mother means everything to him.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Sue.

Christa Loughrey

16/9/2023 09:11:01 am

A well-deserved editor's choice, Padmina. Simple, deep - heartbreak gently portrayed.

Padmini

16/9/2023 11:39:31 am

Thank you for reading and commenting, Christa.

David Lowis

16/9/2023 10:27:00 am

I echo the above comments. I like the slight ambiguity of the ending. And congratulations on Editor's Choice.

Padmini

16/9/2023 11:41:22 am

Thanks a lot, David, for your kind comment.

Don Tassone link

16/9/2023 01:25:30 pm

Heart-rending story. Perfect title. Well done, Padmini.

Padmini

17/9/2023 04:24:16 am

Thanks a lot, Don

Jim Bartlett link

16/9/2023 03:38:20 pm

I agree with Don (and the others commenting here) - heart wrenching. Congratulations on being the Editor's Choice.
Jim

Padmini

17/9/2023 04:25:13 am

Thank you so much, Jim

Angela link

16/9/2023 06:21:52 pm

What a heartfelt and moving story!

Padmini

17/9/2023 04:25:47 am

Thank you for reading, Angela

"Classic"
100-Word
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Friday Flash Fiction
Rules

Kinda obvious, really...

Fiction only
Stories of 75-100 words only
Don't be nasty or cheat
Include your name and a story title

Since Friday Flash Fiction began in September 2013, 100-word stories have remained its 'beating heart'.

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