“Samoa-Samoa-Tonga-Tonga-Talofa-Malo-Aloha.”
At the age of three, Clara was a musical prodigy, at five she spontaneously burst into song as if the family lived inside a musical.
“Hey, baby, why don’t you run over and pick out a T-shirt for daddy?”
Clara met the suggestion with an eye roll before skipping away.
Anita watched her daughter’s long blonde curls bounce against her tiny back, did her own eye roll thanking God for the blessed silence as her child disappeared in the crowd.
The blessed silence has gone on for two excruciating years. And now, today, the search for Clara was ended.
Up From the Ashes 
Wow, sucker punch ending. Powerful and effective, well done.
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Thanks for reading and leaving a comment, Iain.
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Be careful what you wish for. In spades
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Indeed!
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Didn’t see that ending coming. Very powerful.
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Thank you!
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Dear Lish,
Poignant and powerful. I’m a little confused by Tonya…was that supposed to be Clara?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Shoot! Yes! I changed the name because Tonya was too close in sound to Tonga! Rats! Thought I’d caught them all. Thank you, friend.
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Glad it wasn’t me being dense. 😉
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Nope! You were being very attentive.
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Oh! I had to read this twice!
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Thanks for telling me that. You know how you sometimes write – often write – something and think did it work? Cheers
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Yes. I think it’s a compliment if a reader comes back for a second reading…
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Me too!
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Nonononono! I’m picturing this adorable, if noisy, child with her golden hair bouncing, and then POOF! Gone. Leaving two of the most broken-hearted parents you can imagine. Good writing, but boy it’s sad!
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Sorry! When I read it to my husband he said the same thing, stood up, and repeated, “Yep. You made me sad.” Thanks for your comment. Stay well.
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I really really hope she was found alive. This story has a raging karmic bite to it.
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Thanks? I’m glad you stopped by. Stay well. Lish
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Fatally effective, the ending. Be careful what you wish for. A life superbly told in 100 words.
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Thank you.
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i suppose it didn’t well. a very sad story.
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No, it didn’t.
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Brutal last lone from family fun to horror in just 100 words. Anita will be wracked with guilt for the rest of her life.
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I think so. But it only takes a minute.
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Well you certainly delivered a twist at the end there, Alicia. Not what I was expecting at all.
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The end snuck up on me. I didn’t start the story expecting it to end this way.
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Such a sad ending. Beautifully told.
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It was such a lovely story, then along came that heart-wrenching last line. I felt guilty clicking ‘like’.
My short story
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Thanks, Ali.
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The way you built this story, keeping things sweet & light before socking me in the jaw was such a shock – as I’m sure you intended. Well done.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thanks, Susan. The end kinda’ snuck up on me. You know how that goes.
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A sad warning and tale that is felt by everyone – What a terrible world at times.
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Oh, indeed it is. I’ll never understand it. Thanks.
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whoop! that was some ending. a right hook that came out of nowhere.
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Thanks, Varad. So glad you stopped by.
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Dramatic and so sad. Maddie McCann springs to mind. Parents need to be so watchful.
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She popped into my mind too. Thanks, Penny.
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Ouch!
Brilliantly brutal, Alicia, masterful punch line.
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Thank you. I’ve never had children but I imagine a parent wanting them “gone” at times but not gone like Clara is. Glad you stopped by. Stay well.
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A grim tale that reminds us to treasure every day,
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Yes!!!! Thank you.
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Damn woman! I don’t need this now…I need sunshine and rainbows.
Heartbreaking story.
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🙂 This made me laugh! Maybe next week I’ll produce some sunshine and rainbows for you. Thanks for the giggle.
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Always and forever, my friend.
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Excellent, powerful ending.
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Thank you!
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Wow Alicia – that was a real sting in the tail. I was lulled by the theme of the precocious child.
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Thanks! And thank you for stopping by and leaving a reply. Stay well.
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The ending gave me chills. I was drifting along thinking she could be my kid. Far from a prodigy, I’m always making up little jingles. Then… Damn!
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It only takes a second. Thanks for reading.
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Wow what a shocking and horrific ending. Good job.
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