A Lesson from Dad
Vocal Community Microfiction Series - Families
Lina only knew him as "Dad."
He was the one who taught her how to ride a bike, who taught her it was okay to be goofy, and told her that she could be anything she wanted to be. She just had to be be a good person.
He taught that final lesson at his funeral, where, in the mountain village he grew up in, everyone filled the streets to mourn.
A few American tourists were there. "What's happening?" they asked. "Did the Mayor die?"
"No," Lina heard someone say. "Roscoe did."
*
*
*
Thank you for lingering
About the Creator
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Keep reading
More stories from Loryne Andawey and writers in Fiction and other communities.
An Instruction Manual for Keeping Your Child Alive:
Author’s Note This story contains references to childhood trauma and a parent’s experience supporting a child through recovery, including moments of emotional crisis. The focus is not on graphic detail, but on a family’s survival, vigilance, and the quiet, ongoing work of caregiving.
By Stacey Mataxis Whitlow (SMW)about 20 hours ago in Fiction
The Ritual of Winter Challenge Winners
Welcome to the Winners Announcement for The Ritual of Winter challenge. This prompt focused on winter rituals and the meaning that settles into them over time. The top pieces stay grounded in ordinary acts and repeated routines, letting winter shape the work through pace, attention, and restraint.
By Vocal Curation Team4 days ago in Resources
Comments (6)
A testament to his character! Better than any formal title...
This was so touching and emotional!
A life well loved and lived. Nice one, Loryne.
Loryne, I could linger over this forever. You brought tears to my eyes. That last line was perfect. Thank you for imagining this. Thank you for writing it. Thank you for sharing this piece of your soul with us.
The simple voice suits very well in this short piece - as always, a wonderful job.
Very profound and well written 💙 Anneliese