“Have you seen my pills?”
“They’re on the desk.” Dorothy said pointing.
“Where on the desk?”
“There beside the things!”
“What things?”
“The things I tidied up, in the corner. Don’t make a mess.”
Cecil ambled over, feeling around with his thin wrinkled hands. At 92 he was slower than Dorothy, but as sharp as the corkboard tacks that held up their wedding picture.
He pushed open the bubble packet and downed his medication with a glass of wine. An hour later Cecil was dead. He was blind and couldn’t read the label that stated, “Do not take with alcohol.”
100 Words
There was a lot to pick out from this photo prompt. Did you notice the name on the letter opener? I actually googled the name and found a few Cecil Clarks. An obituary stood out for me, which I based this piece of fiction on. I also learned that it is the name of a politician in Nova Scotia, Canada. Isn’t the internet amazing! All that information in just a few minutes. No more slaving over research at the library. Well sometimes it’s necessary, because you can’t believe everything you read.
Friday Fictioneers is a place for flash fiction brought to us by the lovely Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Visit Rochelle’s site and use her Wednesday photo as a prompt to write a complete 100 word story.
Life with Alegria 
What a twist on this one! Enjoyed!
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Thanks Roger! Glad you enjoyed. And yes, definitely a twist. Thanks for reading.
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SO many ways to have prevented that, and yet we are not in total control are we? At 92, his body let him down and hopefully, it was quick and painless.
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Yes let’s hope it was quick and painless. Thanks for reading and commenting Fatima!
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I’m sure he had a good life. Sounds like a some what peaceful way to go. Shocking ending though.
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Yes a bit of a shocker for sure. Thanks for reading T!
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Wow what a roller coaster of emotions. Thanks for the fun ride!
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You’re welcome! And thanks for reading and commenting.
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I like what and how you were inspired to write your story. Very creative process.
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Thanks very much! You never know where the inspiration comes from, but it does.
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🙂
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Seems such a waste of a retained intellect, being let down by physical deterioration. Nicely done.
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Thanks Sandra. It is such a waste for sure.
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mistakes do happen and some didn’t live after making them.
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That’s for certain Plaridel. Thanks for reading!
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Dear Shelley,
What a way to go. At least he went with his mind intact. Sad story nonetheless.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for reading Rochelle. Sad, but possible. Better to read the label I say.
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Is it really possible to die from taking one dose of pills with alcohol? I always assumed (I know — ass) that it meant it would make you sick, but not that it would kill you. I take aspirin with wine all the time, but I’ll be careful with “my pills”! Scary. Nice bit of research.
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Thanks Eugenia! I think it depends on the pill. I’m not a pharmacist, but I’m certain there are some that would kill you. Thankfully this was just a piece of fiction. Thanks for reading!
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Good spot from the prompt! I wonder if Dorothy had anything to do with this ‘accident’?!
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Hmmm I don’t know. I certainly hope not. Thanks for reading Iain!
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Sad, but avoidable – or was it?
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Avoidable if he wasn’t blind or someone read him the label perhaps. Thanks for reading James.
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