Loss on a (Word) Budget

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For the last two weeks, I have challenged myself with writing an extremely short story each day based on the general prompt of “Loss”. These story range from 50 words in length down to 5. Below is the compilation of stories organized by length, with date of authorship listed.

Note: These stories are meant to be read and interpreted individually. Any connection between stories beyond the shared general theme is unintentional.

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SJ Shoemaker
Word Count: 5-50
6/10/2023

50 word story on loss – 6/5/2023:
It is not that I fear joy. I long as much as any. But joy is a momentary spike of emotion. I fear not the peak but the descent into the valley that comes after. If life is a culmination of averages, what sin is there in seeking a plateau?

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30 word story on loss – 6/8/2023:
Am I too late? Have the throngs of distractions that we call life delayed my arrival so as to disallow me to witness this historic moment? No? One ticket please.

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25 word story on loss – 5/29/2023:
Cease. Fill not my head with thoughts of hope. I hunger enough without conjurations of fantastical feasts I never shall devour. End it. End. Me.

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20 word story on loss – 6/2/2023:
How was the meal? Lovely, I’d wager. Honestly, I was so worried about the time, I forgot to enjoy it.

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15 word story on loss – 6/6/2023:
Don’t worry about me. I’m just going to sit down and rest. Just for a…

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10 word story on loss – 6/10/2023:
“If only”, I repeat. Blaming whom more? Myself or fate?

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9 word story on loss – 6/9/2023:
Here’s your—Whoops! Don’t fret. I’ll go get another.

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8 word story on loss – 5/31/2023:
Damn. Why did I walk in here, again?

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7 word story on loss – 5/30/2023:
I know, bud. I miss her too.

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6 word story of loss – 6/7/2023:
Sorry, that was the last one.

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5 word story on loss – 6/1/2023:
Can’t. Want to, but can’t.