A short story

Keith's Ramblings

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Harry was an obsessive timekeeper.

As usual, his alarm rang at 07.50 

Washed and dressed, he went downstairs and entered the kitchen.

He liked his breakfast at 08.15

He placed bread in the toaster, put water in the kettle and tea leaves in the pot. Cracked an egg into boiling water and flipped the timer. He sat down, and watched the hands of the clock.

His cleaner arrived at 09.45 precisely. 

The bread was half-toasted, the kettle lukewarm. The egg was part-poached, and the timer stopped, midway. 

The clock said 08.08 

Harry was slumped in his chair.

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Prod Froggie to visit the squares – don’t worry, he’s only pretending to have snuffed it for the sake of my story!

 

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Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers.

PHOTO PROMPT © Jen Pendergast

38 thoughts on “A short story”

  5. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li Aug 6, 2025 / 17:20

    I feel bad for Harry, and for the cleaner who found him. I hope he found time for some fun off the clock once in awhile. Good storytelling, Keith.

    Are you a timekeeper like Harry?

    Liked by 1 person

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      • Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li Aug 8, 2025 / 19:38

        You’re welcome. My older son is like that also. With so much out of our control, sometimes we reach for the things we can control.

        Like

  6. Violet Lentz's avatar Violet Lentz Aug 6, 2025 / 17:59

    I think your, Harry should hook up with my Paula in my post: Lip Gloss they sound like a similarly regimented pair- that is in the event Harry is just sleeping and not dead. Loved it!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings Aug 8, 2025 / 16:34

      I just read your story again and I see what you mean. They should have met earlier – sadly Harry is no more 😦

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. messymimi's meanderings's avatar messymimi's meanderings Aug 6, 2025 / 22:55

    And he went at such an imprecise time, too. It probably would have bothered him the Grim Reaper didn’t wait until at least he’d had his breakfast, maybe by half past.

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  9. Rene Heartsong's avatar Rene Heartsong Aug 6, 2025 / 23:15

    Poor Harry, indeed! Praying for all the “obsessives” who make their lives harder than they probably need to be. It’s no joke when by disease (faulty-wiring in brain), or this ageing gig…some of us go a little crazy with repetitious behaviors and/or the “need” to have everything a certain way…or else. Great writing as always, Keith!

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  10. justjoyfulness's avatar justjoyfulness Aug 7, 2025 / 02:25

    I must say he’s a fast washer and dresser 🙂 Intriguing story. Looks like the clock was wired into his brain.

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. rochellewisoff's avatar rochellewisoff Aug 7, 2025 / 15:39

    Dear Keith,

    Poor Harry. I guess you could say he came to a timely end. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Like

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  14. poetisatinta's avatar poetisatinta Aug 8, 2025 / 13:49

    A sad tale Keith – poor Harry, I don’t think he would have liked that particular schedule – I don’t think it was planned!🙌

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  16. Brenda's Thoughts's avatar Brenda's Thoughts Aug 9, 2025 / 10:27

    At least he stuck to his schedule to the end. There’s something soothing about keeping time. I enjoyed your unique story, though feel sad for Harry and the maid who would find him. Happy weekend to ya!

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  17. Dahlia's avatar Dahlia Aug 10, 2025 / 07:38

    Interesting that everything died at the same time. Probably teleported to another land!

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  18. I B Arora's avatar I B Arora Aug 10, 2025 / 08:43

    Perhaps Murphy’s law was at work

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