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.
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 !!!
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December 7th, 2017 at 12:40 pm
They may hound you for a while. There is nothing like a corporation scorned!!!!
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December 7th, 2017 at 11:40 am
Awe… 🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀
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December 7th, 2017 at 12:08 pm
That’s the world we live in – our online presence will outlast our actual lives!
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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.
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December 7th, 2017 at 12:18 pm
A chilling scenario of the future, not so distant at that.
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December 7th, 2017 at 1:17 pm
I believe we are already living it Sandra. Sad to say. 😦
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December 7th, 2017 at 12:53 pm
Your name and address will be sold and resold for eternity…(K)
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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!
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December 7th, 2017 at 1:27 pm
That’s a great story…all too reflective of reality though.
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December 7th, 2017 at 1:30 pm
It is true. The world we live in! 😟
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December 7th, 2017 at 1:13 pm
Sad but also very funny at the end. A least she had a hobby lol.
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December 7th, 2017 at 1:16 pm
I’m sure no one ever heard her complain about her life…;)
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December 7th, 2017 at 8:21 pm
Haha 🙂
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December 7th, 2017 at 4:40 pm
I still get mail for family that died over twenty years ago. It’s sad.
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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.
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December 7th, 2017 at 4:57 pm
Me, too, but the mail keeps finding me.
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December 7th, 2017 at 5:28 pm
😟
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December 7th, 2017 at 5:31 pm
Sad no one noticed she was gone except those she spent money with… nicely done!
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December 7th, 2017 at 5:32 pm
I know. 😟 thank you!
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December 7th, 2017 at 6:03 pm
How sad. Missed only by salespeople.
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December 7th, 2017 at 6:30 pm
I know. Sadder because it is true for so many. 😟
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December 7th, 2017 at 6:18 pm
That could be me in the not so distant future. Yikes!
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December 7th, 2017 at 6:31 pm
Oh my! Hope not! 😳
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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.
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December 8th, 2017 at 5:14 am
How terrible! I agree. We have become so disconnected. 😢
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December 8th, 2017 at 10:38 am
Dear Kat,
At least she was connected somewhere. 😉 Sad commentary really.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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December 8th, 2017 at 11:05 am
Hello Rochelle,
Yes, it is sad how disconnected from each other we have become. 😦
Peace,
Kathy
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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…
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December 9th, 2017 at 12:22 pm
I agree…😢
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December 12th, 2017 at 5:29 pm
IDK if I was supposed to or not, but I laughed at this.
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December 12th, 2017 at 8:21 pm
You’re allowed. 🙂 It is so ironic isn’t it?! 😀
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