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Wrinkles

Some things can never be ironed out

By Howard IronsPublished about a year ago 1 min read
Runner-Up in Microfiction Magic Challenge

She couldn’t remember the last time she’d ironed anything. Beyond recollection certainly, but this shirt had to be perfect.

She spritzed some water and guided the iron like a planchette on a ouija board.

The steam fogged her glasses as she smoothed the collar. Finished.

She balled the shirt up. Laid it back down.

The mortician was waiting. No one would see her son in his closed casket, but she had to start again.

Her tears sizzled under the hot iron, the salt embedded in the fibers of the last thing her boy would ever wear.

Microfiction

About the Creator

Howard Irons

He writes. Sometimes a lot. Sometimes very little. But he writes.

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Comments (9)

  • Christy Munsonabout a month ago

    Wow. Impactful writing. Simply mesmerizing. Not overly sentimental, but evocative, heartfelt and gripping. Congratulations on a richly deserved placement.

  • Alexandria Stanwyckabout a year ago

    First of all, congrats on your placement! Second, excellent job portraying a grieving mother attempting to carrying on what normally would be a simple task. The scrunching up and crying on the shirt that would clothe her dead son made my eyes water.

  • Beth Sarahabout a year ago

    Wow - this one packed the biggest punch. So poignant and well crafted - well done 👏

  • Alexander McEvoyabout a year ago

    Oh wow So sad ;-;

  • Melissa Ingoldsbyabout a year ago

    Haunting and very sad 😭

  • Kendall Defoe about a year ago

    This is very impressive. Excellent!

  • Babs Iversonabout a year ago

    Well done congratulations on Runner up!!!♥️♥️💕

  • Stephanie Downardabout a year ago

    Congrats!! 🎉 Excellent story! This hit my emotions hard! ❤️

  • J. S. Wadeabout a year ago

    Congratulations. I’ve loved this compelling story. Well done. ! 🥇

Howard IronsWritten by Howard Irons

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