magisternihil's 100-word story for January 23, 2026

magisternihil wrote the following micro-story on Hectalex on January 23, 2026. Each story on Hectalex is inspired by a daily visual prompt and must be exactly 100 words.

Grandma had a phone in her hallway, even after it stopped working and the land line was dead. We would play on it every visit, picking up and hitting buttons, having long conversations with “Sal, from down the road,” or “My agent calling about my screenplay.” Now Grandma’s gone. When we went to pack her house up, I couldn’t let the old thing go. Sometimes I pick up and hit a few buttons, just to catch up with Sal or anyone who is there. A part of me wishes I could hear Grandma’s voice again, just for a quick call.

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