This short story is from <Heartwarming Collection of Short Stories for Seniors: 2 Books in 1> by Bradley Windrow. It is perfect for seniors, even for dementia patients. Be sure to read until the end, as there’s a special gift waiting for you! hope you enjoy it!
All things are difficult before they are easy. –Thomas Fuller
“I’ve decided to go vegan!” she declared, slicing a perfectly ripe avocado for breakfast, feeling superior already. No more animal products, no more excuses. She was about to join the plant-based elite. That sense of victory lasted until lunch.
Her friend Maria had invited her over, and Louise arrived expecting a light meal—something full of leafy greens. But as she stepped into Maria’s kitchen, the mouthwatering scent of sizzling chorizo filled the air. Louise’s stomach betrayed her with a loud growl.
“Hey, girl! You’re just in time!” Maria called, grinning and flipping the sausage in the pan with the expertise of a seasoned chef. “I’m making paella—the kind you can’t resist.” Louise swallowed hard.
“Oh, I… I’m vegan now,” she stammered, the words sounding foreign even to her. Maria blinked in confusion, holding a fork full of the most deliciously greasy chorizo.
“Since when?”
“Since breakfast.” Louise shifted uncomfortably.
“Well, I’ve got some roasted peppers if you’re serious, but you don’t know what you’re missing.” Maria snorted.
Louise’s eyes darted to the peppers, sad and lonely compared to the feast sizzling before her. But she held firm—barely—nibbling on roasted peppers while watching Maria devour the rest of the paella. She left Maria’s place feeling both proud and deflated but mostly hungry.
That evening, when she arrived at her parents’ house for their traditional Sunday dinner, Louise opened the door to the unmistakable smell of roast lamb, her all-time favorite. Her heart sank. Her mother beamed as she bustled around the kitchen.
“Look what I made, Mija! Just like you love it!”
“Oh, I… I’m vegan now.” Louise winced.
“Vegan? Since when?” Her father snorted into his wine glass.
“Since breakfast,” Louise repeated, her earlier confidence dwindling with every passing second.
“Well, good luck. More lamb for me then!” her father said, already halfway through his plate. Louise held firm. Sort of. She loaded her plate with salad and roasted potatoes, but each bite felt like a small betrayal. She smiled through gritted teeth as her father teased her with lamb.
By the time she got home, she was just starting to relax when there was a knock at the door. Her neighbor, the ever-friendly Mrs. Morales, stood there with a tray of honey-glazed ribs.
“Hey, Louise! I made too much and thought you’d like some.”
Louise blinked. It seemed the universe didn’t want her to be vegan. She could actually feel her willpower shattering into a million tiny pieces.
“Oh no, I couldn’t—”
“Don’t be shy, dear. You always loved these ribs.” But Mrs. Morales cut her off with a knowing smile. And that was it. She grabbed a rib, took a bite, and practically melted into her doorway.
“I’ll try again tomorrow,” she mumbled between bites, already feeling better about her life decisions.
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