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How Do I Say Goodbye? by NT Franklin

3/12/2021

 
We met the first day second grade. You were new to town; my people had been here forever, living on the poor side of the tracks. You had pink ribbons and plastic barrettes in your long blond hair. I close my eyes to say goodbye, and I see your pink dress, white socks, and shiny black shoes.

My lucky stars put you in the seat in front of me. I put on my best smile and stuck out my hand, Roger L. McConnel here; I’d like to be friends. I’m Tammy. I’d like to be friends, too. How do I say goodbye to that memory?

You stayed in town through high school because your dad ran the factory where my dad worked. I stayed in high school because you were there. I don’t remember a single day that doesn’t include you. How can I say goodbye to that?

I went to work at the service station, you went into the factory office. Two years I worked to be able to buy the station. Then I asked for your hand. Fifty years, three daughters, and five granddaughters later I have to say goodbye. Every day I was with you. How can I say goodbye to a lifetime?

I left the room so they could close the casket. How do I say goodbye to part of me? All of me? Outside, eight blond girls surrounded and hugged me. I looked into their faces. Each one looked like you. I realized I didn’t have to say goodbye to you.
Jim B link
3/12/2021 04:23:58 pm

Ah - a tear at the heart (and at least one or two from the eyes)

Jim

NT Franklin link
3/12/2021 05:04:39 pm

Thanks for the kind words

Mike
3/12/2021 08:24:15 pm

Beautiful, NT

NT
3/12/2021 09:17:25 pm

Thanks for the kind words

Sue Clayton
4/12/2021 01:55:49 am

A heart-warming story of true love.

NT
4/12/2021 02:57:56 am

Thanks

Candace Arthuria Williams
4/12/2021 06:38:04 pm

So moving and beautifully written.

NT
7/12/2021 03:49:39 pm

Thanks

Frances Johnson
5/12/2021 01:57:35 am

Touching

NT
5/12/2021 02:49:40 am

Thanks

Inge Moore
5/12/2021 02:55:32 am

Sweet, sad, and then sweeet again! Loved it!

NT
5/12/2021 10:37:54 am

Thanks

Doug
25/12/2021 07:29:46 pm

Great story. Loved it.

NT
26/12/2021 11:15:33 am

Glad you liked it.


Comments are closed.

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    Friday Flash Fiction is primarily a site for stories of 100 words or fewer, and our authors are expected to take on that challenge if they possibly can. Most stories of under 150 words can be trimmed and we do not accept submissions of 101-150 words.


    However, in response to demand, the FFF team constructed this forum for significantly longer stories of 151-500 words. Please send submissions for these using the Submissions Page.

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    One little further note. Posting and publishing 500-word stories takes a little time if they need to be formatted, too.
    ​Please note that we tend to post longer flash fiction exactly as we find it – wrong spacing, everything.

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