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- Story Listed as: Fiction For Adults
- Theme: Survival / Success
- Subject: Current Events
- Published: 04/16/2020
Wo-ho it was spring break. Mary Lou had been busting her behind, staying up late, and eating little all year. She was in her senior year in college studying for her bachelor's degree in medical science.
Mary Lou was well-liked and not just because of her beautiful face with high cheekbones and ocean green eyes, framed by long fine blonde hair. Only five feet four and a body that many models wish they had. No it was her smile and sweet soft laughter. She could tell a joke or have a joke played on her and her disposition was a delight.
Nothing was going to stop her, and when Maggie suggested that this virus might be a good reason not to go, well... Mary Lou objected firmly, this would be her last year of school girl freedom. Besides as soon to be a nurse she would be facing a virus and risks all her life, she could handle it.
Two weeks of the sun and nice walks on the beach. The joy of cold lemonade and flirting with sweet boys. A cramped hotel room that saw little of her, as she danced late into the nights. Beer and hot dogs at the bonfire and blaring music.
A week back home, in her bland dorm room, book in hand, she was just not feeling so good. Hot and then cold, she noticed a slight fever and guessed it was a spring cold. The next day she thought she was getting better. Except for that annoying cough. Especially when trying to tell her mom how wonderful break had been and then a coughing fit, and I am sorry I missed seeing you, and pop, soon I will be home.
That was true, by the end of the week Pop was making the arrangements to send her ashes home. Momma just sat and stared out the window seeing nothing, her daughter's sweater in her hands.
When Mary Lou hung up the phone that day the coughing fit was bad. So bad she lost her ability to take a breath. Her friend Maggie found her on the floor, unable to take a deep breath and called 911. Maggie was not feeling so good either. They were taken to the overfilled hospital. Mary Lou needed a Ventilator but there were none available.
The nurses did all they could, the doctor did what he could, but Maggie might be save-able. Mary Lou was in great pain, but she was not thinking of the beach, or the hot dogs. when she could think it was about Mom and Pop. Her last thought as she choked on the fluids in her lungs was, I wonder if there is a God?
Maggie was one sick girl, she did not know Mary Lou only lasted a few hours. Not to be mean, but when Mary was bowing out of this world Maggie was more worried about her own self staying in it. She would not get to go to the funeral because there was none. The body was cremated and she would be sick long after the memorial service, with family only, had passed.
Maggie heard that many of her friends were sick, some like Mary Lou would not ever see her in this life again. While talking to a reporter she confessed, if only I had known this stuff was real. The president said, the mortality rate "within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero," that it would "disappear like a miracle," and claimed that "we're very close to a vaccine,"
Tonight she sits at home, school closed, hoping soon she can finish and graduate. Tears roll down her cheeks. how she missed the strength and smile of Mary Lou. How now she cried, knowing she would not be pinned by her side. The nation lost a wonderful nurse, she had lost an amazing friend, mom and pop had lost a daughter.
Spring Break(Rich Puckett)
Wo-ho it was spring break. Mary Lou had been busting her behind, staying up late, and eating little all year. She was in her senior year in college studying for her bachelor's degree in medical science.
Mary Lou was well-liked and not just because of her beautiful face with high cheekbones and ocean green eyes, framed by long fine blonde hair. Only five feet four and a body that many models wish they had. No it was her smile and sweet soft laughter. She could tell a joke or have a joke played on her and her disposition was a delight.
Nothing was going to stop her, and when Maggie suggested that this virus might be a good reason not to go, well... Mary Lou objected firmly, this would be her last year of school girl freedom. Besides as soon to be a nurse she would be facing a virus and risks all her life, she could handle it.
Two weeks of the sun and nice walks on the beach. The joy of cold lemonade and flirting with sweet boys. A cramped hotel room that saw little of her, as she danced late into the nights. Beer and hot dogs at the bonfire and blaring music.
A week back home, in her bland dorm room, book in hand, she was just not feeling so good. Hot and then cold, she noticed a slight fever and guessed it was a spring cold. The next day she thought she was getting better. Except for that annoying cough. Especially when trying to tell her mom how wonderful break had been and then a coughing fit, and I am sorry I missed seeing you, and pop, soon I will be home.
That was true, by the end of the week Pop was making the arrangements to send her ashes home. Momma just sat and stared out the window seeing nothing, her daughter's sweater in her hands.
When Mary Lou hung up the phone that day the coughing fit was bad. So bad she lost her ability to take a breath. Her friend Maggie found her on the floor, unable to take a deep breath and called 911. Maggie was not feeling so good either. They were taken to the overfilled hospital. Mary Lou needed a Ventilator but there were none available.
The nurses did all they could, the doctor did what he could, but Maggie might be save-able. Mary Lou was in great pain, but she was not thinking of the beach, or the hot dogs. when she could think it was about Mom and Pop. Her last thought as she choked on the fluids in her lungs was, I wonder if there is a God?
Maggie was one sick girl, she did not know Mary Lou only lasted a few hours. Not to be mean, but when Mary was bowing out of this world Maggie was more worried about her own self staying in it. She would not get to go to the funeral because there was none. The body was cremated and she would be sick long after the memorial service, with family only, had passed.
Maggie heard that many of her friends were sick, some like Mary Lou would not ever see her in this life again. While talking to a reporter she confessed, if only I had known this stuff was real. The president said, the mortality rate "within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero," that it would "disappear like a miracle," and claimed that "we're very close to a vaccine,"
Tonight she sits at home, school closed, hoping soon she can finish and graduate. Tears roll down her cheeks. how she missed the strength and smile of Mary Lou. How now she cried, knowing she would not be pinned by her side. The nation lost a wonderful nurse, she had lost an amazing friend, mom and pop had lost a daughter.
P.S. Winn
11/11/2020I hope this story will make all people think about what is important and why we have to protect each other.
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Rich Puckett
11/11/2020I hope so too, so many sick and dying, I have lost a family member and several friends. This is very real. Thank you for reading I appreciate it and your comment
Help Us Understand What's Happening
JD
04/17/2020Heartbreaking! So many beautiful people, full of life and promise, have been taken by this wicked virus. I sure hope we are able to eradicate it from our midst SOON, and that no more wonderful people are lost in the process. Thank you for sharing your heartfelt story on Storystar, Rich.
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Kevin Hughes
04/17/2020Aloha Rich,
It is a "true Story" in every aspect except for it being made up. We will finally understand the depth of sacrifice our parents (in my case) or grandparents in most folk's case during the Great Depression and World War II. Some of my relatives spent nearly a decade in poverty, uncertainty, and surrounded by a changing world. First the depression for more than five years...and then just a few years later- World War II. And that was five years of desperate sacrifice. Husbands didn't see their families for the duration...and wives waited every day to see if they were a widow.
This Virus is going to give us a New World to shape...and we will make it through it...just like they did. And someday, the folks who made it through this will tell unbelieving children what it was like when people held hands in Public.
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Rich Puckett
04/17/2020Thank you, yes this reminds me of being told as a boy, history repeats itself. I think for our younger people one might call it enlightenment. We will indeed see a different world emerging. Thank you again
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