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Ruth Mannino

The retirees have been married fifty years. Planning and embarking on an annual cruise was something they always looked forward to.

Covid-19 upended those plans.

Undeterred, the couple depends on their ingenuity to take them to foreign places. They spend cruise money on streaming services and explore the world from the comfort of their living room.

She plans their meal; selects a good imported wine. He purchases flowers to dress the captain’s table, and chooses the night’s entertainment: a stand-up comedian who drew rave reviews on HBO. Tonight’s music: via Alexa. As the sun sets, silly selfies are sent to the kids.

Ruth Mannino is a mother of four, grandmother of five, retired math teacher and business analyst. She has always enjoyed writing and published Thursday Mornings: Breathe, Stretch, Listen, Love in 2020. Her stories can be found in Smoky Blue Literary and Arts Magazine, Potato Soup Journal, 50-word stories, and FlashFiction 101.