Maria savored the hazelnut chocolate, eyes closed, as each bite melted in her mouth and warmed her heart. She wore her favorite pink lace dress, which now hung loosely around her thin body. However, she no longer cared about her weight.
She touched the pink pearls her husband had given her long ago. They were as fake as he was. But, she had kept both.
Maria walked around her beloved garden, feeling the twilight breeze on her face.
She leaned back and took a deep breath. Then she dialed the clinic to ask for the result of her diagnosis.
The above is my response to this week’s Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge. The prompt is to write a story of 99 words about deep wishes. Thank you, Charli, for giving us the opportunity.
call2read 
Yes, it is deep, and nicely done x One fake husband is far too many for my liking. I felt that flower scented breeze, the heady whiff of blooms. I enjoyed the descriptiveness of your tale, if I am somewhat saddened and anxious for the call she expects.
Hi Ellen, I am glad you were able to visualize this. Thank you so much for mentioning the points that drew you to the story:) Happy you liked this
So beautifully written. I especially loved the sequence about keeping both the fake pears and husband. Such humanity in that admission.
Thank you so much, Charli. Glad to be writing for carrot ranch after a long time.
I hope it’s a good report from the hospital.
I certainly hope so, Norah. Thank you very much for reading:)
My pleasure.
Sounds like she deserves to enjoy those chocolates. I wonder if t is even possible she knows and doesn’t care about the outcome of the call. Either way she knows what is fake and what is real, that is clear.
She could just be getting checked for diabetics, as she is eating chocolates. Considering that she is doing all her favorite things, the diagnosis could be something more serious. However, she is ready for it, I guess. Thank you for reading and commenting, Avery.
What a lovely and moving flash! That she kept the pearls that were as fake as her husband shows her love for life. I hope the call falls in her favor. ❤
Certainly hope she had good results. Thank you, Colleen, for taking the time to visit and comment on my post.
You’re welcome. It was a great read. ❤️
Loved the description, and now curious what’s her result like….
Hope the results turned out to be good. Thank you for reading and commenting, Ruchira:)
Even simple tests can be daunting. Once I ended up waiting (so insurance would cover a procedure)… Things worked out but there were many silent moments of just holding and hugs as we waited together. Hope your ‘gal’ gets support and good results.
You are right, Jules. We imagine the worst during our waiting hours. Thankfully, things worked out for you. Yes, I certainly hope the character in the story gets a good result. Thank you so much for commenting.
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Unlike the others who have commented here, I imagined that Maria did all those things because her husband was dead. The husband she got rid of. But fate always pays a price for the realization of our desires. So in the end she too had fallen ill and with the same disease as her husband. So he had to enjoy his last moments.
That is a very Interesting perspective indeed. It is quite possible to interpret the story that way. Thank you so much, Amleta, for taking the time to read this and comment in detail with your perspective.
I loved this, Nightlake. You did an amazing job of lulling the reader with your beautiful early imagery before the final poignant ending. Well done 🙂
I am very happy you liked it. Thank you so much for the kind words.
I read about the pink dress and the thin body and thought cancer…
You did a good job employing our senses and imagination.
I only wonder why she keeps the fake husband…
It could be that she was a very tolerant woman and had put up with his fakeness. Or it could be that she had weaknesses of her own and they both were compromising with each other. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment.