The Call.

good news comes at a great time

A slow purposeful sigh followed her blank stare. He sat in his chair, waiting for her to realize he had nothing more to say. Finally, she blinked and shook her head. She looked at him. "Isn't there anything we can do?"

He shook his head, and his face remained a facade of resignation. He didn't know he could keep it up. "There isn't much time either."

"How long do we have?"

"A month, maybe two."

"That's it?"

"Sometimes a couple of months can turn into years."

She dried her eyes with her sleeve. "When did they tell you?"

"Remember that call this morning?"

"You have known for five hours? And you didn't think to tell me?"

"I didn't know how to tell you. Telling you makes it too real."

"So, what's the plan?"

"I guess we just enjoy the time we have left."

That is when the phone rang. Joy cleared her throat, "I'll get it." She got up and answered it. My face blanched when I heard her gasp, "Oh dear God!" I heard the phone clatter to the floor. A few moments passed. After a few moments, Joy returned to the living room. She was as pale as a ghost. She sat heavily, put her face in her hands, and sobbed.

I stared at her for a moment and then went to comfort her. "What was it?"

"Jimmy, it was the doctor. He said he made a mistake. It isn't cancer. Your X-ray got mixed up with another patient's. You don't have cancer. The pain is from a large kidney stone. All you need is a quick procedure, and you'll be fine."

"Not cancer?" I nearly collapsed. A simple procedure? "You're sure?"

"Yes," She wiped her face with her sleeve and smiled.


Prompt▶︎

Daily flash fiction challenge prompt for 2/24/2026

Daily Flash Fiction Challenge  (13+) Enter your story of 300 words or less. #896794 by Arakun the Twisted Raccoon

Write a story that includes the words: blank, sigh, chair
Have fun!