Excellent An unwelcome surprise Morag*s Christmas Visit by Terry Reilly 200 Word Flash writing prompt entry Artwork by Renate-Bertodi at FanArtReview.com

The Dementia Ward was even more depressing at Christmas. Scattered tinsel and a  plastic tree fooled no one. This was God’s waiting room. I had hoped my sister would accompany me to visit mum. Alison had better things to do. Like partying.       “Mum’s gaga” she said. “She wouldn’t know either of us from       Attila the Hun. A total waste of time.” The tiny bed-ridden figure was physically present, but vague and distracted. Mum had   clumsily grasped the bunch of flowers and was trying to eat them. I removed them and laid them on her locker beside the unpulled Christmas cracker. She glared reproachfully. Tears trickled down deep facial furrows towards the trembling chin. How to connect? Inspiration. I opened my cell phone and searched. Success! Billy Connolly’s raucous voice belted out the “Welly Boot Song”. The emaciated old lady beamed and started to sway from side to side. Her lips were moving soundlessly. She was trying to sing along. When the song finished she beckoned me closer. I could just about make out her whispered words.       “Thank you, Alison. You’ve always been my favourite.” I rose and kissed her on the forehead.       “Happy Christmas, mum”, choking back the uninvited tears. Writing Prompt Write a story on any topic. 200 Words Exactly! Title not included in count. Author Notes Sad, for so many different reasons. Apologies for the bizarre formatting. I am not being permitted to rectify the text further. I clearly do not know my way round the site well enough yet to properly polish up my submissions. Thanks for your understanding.

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