Gray's 100-word story for June 28, 2025

Gray wrote the following micro-story on Hectalex on June 28, 2025. Each story on Hectalex is inspired by a daily visual prompt and must be exactly 100 words.

Liberto never liked touch, even as a baby. His mother was one of those who thought having a baby was a way to create something that would love you, something to dress up, cart around, be best friends with. Like a dog. When he was old enough to start saying 'no' -- and shove, and hit, because she, like every other adult, disregarded the boundaries and bodily autonomy of children -- she collected dolls. As the sole attendant of her funeral, he knew she'd died alone because she never realized you have to love people the way they want to be loved.

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