PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson
Maude had always kept to herself. Her isolation increased even more after she retired. With no family or friends, and the internet and home shopping network at her disposal, she never needed to leave the comfort of her home, even for the most basic necessities.
After she passed, it was weeks before anyone noticed the odor emanating from her apartment. The authorities were called, she was cremated according to her prearranged wishes and that was that.
Maude was quickly forgotten, except for the army of online vendors who filled her mailbox daily with “We miss you! Come Back!” post cards.
~kat
I missed last week due to a technical snafu that was happily remedied in a matter of days. But I’m back today with 100 words for Rochelle Wisoff-Fields Friday Fictioneers Flash Fiction Challenge based on the photo above by Dale Rogerson.
like mercury colliding... 
December 7th, 2017 at 11:38 am
Like your tale – especially the end section about cheery on-line vendors. I have just unsubscribed from a vendor- oh soooo sorryI’m going…they’ll miss me, perhaps I’ll change my mind !!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 7th, 2017 at 12:40 pm
They may hound you for a while. There is nothing like a corporation scorned!!!!
LikeLike
December 7th, 2017 at 11:40 am
Awe… 🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 7th, 2017 at 12:08 pm
That’s the world we live in – our online presence will outlast our actual lives!
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 7th, 2017 at 12:38 pm
I have FB friends whose profiles are still active years after their death. Friends and family visit on special occasions, like holidays, birthdays, etc. to leave comments.
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 7th, 2017 at 12:18 pm
A chilling scenario of the future, not so distant at that.
LikeLike
December 7th, 2017 at 1:17 pm
I believe we are already living it Sandra. Sad to say. 😦
LikeLike
December 7th, 2017 at 12:53 pm
Your name and address will be sold and resold for eternity…(K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 7th, 2017 at 1:14 pm
Oh my…now that is a thought. I remember my mother receiving a call from a charitable group of monks who claimed to have spoken to my dad the previous week MONTHS after his death, saying that he was all for giving a nice donation. My mother told them perhaps she should reconsider her initial “no” since they clearly had amazing connections with the afterlife. Then she hung up!
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 7th, 2017 at 1:27 pm
That’s a great story…all too reflective of reality though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 7th, 2017 at 1:30 pm
It is true. The world we live in! 😟
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 7th, 2017 at 1:13 pm
Sad but also very funny at the end. A least she had a hobby lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 7th, 2017 at 1:16 pm
I’m sure no one ever heard her complain about her life…;)
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 7th, 2017 at 8:21 pm
Haha 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 7th, 2017 at 4:40 pm
I still get mail for family that died over twenty years ago. It’s sad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 7th, 2017 at 4:53 pm
Oh my goodness. I suppose the only reason I don’t is that I have moved a few times. That is very sad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 7th, 2017 at 4:57 pm
Me, too, but the mail keeps finding me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 7th, 2017 at 5:28 pm
😟
LikeLike
December 7th, 2017 at 5:31 pm
Sad no one noticed she was gone except those she spent money with… nicely done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 7th, 2017 at 5:32 pm
I know. 😟 thank you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
December 7th, 2017 at 6:03 pm
How sad. Missed only by salespeople.
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 7th, 2017 at 6:30 pm
I know. Sadder because it is true for so many. 😟
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 7th, 2017 at 6:18 pm
That could be me in the not so distant future. Yikes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 7th, 2017 at 6:31 pm
Oh my! Hope not! 😳
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 8th, 2017 at 1:41 am
Awwweee. We had a case like this in Mumbai last year. An old woman’s son was settled abroad somewhere, they fought on the phone, and did not talk for more than an year. He came to her place during his next trip only to realize that she’d been dead inside the house for months…and no one had realized it. Awful times we live in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 8th, 2017 at 5:14 am
How terrible! I agree. We have become so disconnected. 😢
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 8th, 2017 at 10:38 am
Dear Kat,
At least she was connected somewhere. 😉 Sad commentary really.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 8th, 2017 at 11:05 am
Hello Rochelle,
Yes, it is sad how disconnected from each other we have become. 😦
Peace,
Kathy
LikeLike
December 9th, 2017 at 11:42 am
What a lonely existence, she had. It’s bad enough to die alone, but to be found by smell is a most heartbreaking way…
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 9th, 2017 at 12:22 pm
I agree…😢
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 12th, 2017 at 5:29 pm
IDK if I was supposed to or not, but I laughed at this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
December 12th, 2017 at 8:21 pm
You’re allowed. 🙂 It is so ironic isn’t it?! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person