“What’s all of this?” Tess asked Mrs. MacQuoid.
“They are my husband’s.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss.”
Mrs. MacQuoid reached inside to remove first the package and then the box. “These are all I want.”
“What about the rest of the contents?
“I don’t need them.”
“What are they?”
“Unfinished manuscripts.”
“Really? What if some of them are bestsellers?
“What good would that do him now?”
“You never know. He could become famous posthumously like Franz Kafka and Roald Dahl.”
“Fine. Do whatever you like with them.”
In time, the manuscripts were finished and published. They became international bestsellers.
This post is for the Friday’s Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. You can find this week’s prompt Here. To read other stories or to participate, click Here.
Source: Join Cake
Notes to Women 
Sometimes a little faith is all that’s needed. I hope she got to realise the benefits.
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Yes, Sandra. A little faith goes a long way 🙂 I believe she did.
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Mrs. MacQuoid had a literary taste apparently. 😉
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Unlike Tess, Mrs. MacQuoid didn’t see any point in her husband’s work getting published but look how things turned out.
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Love how this one turned out.
🌹
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I’m happy to hear that, Andrew 🙂
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Perhaps the pain is too great to deal with practicalities. I hope she at least got the royalties in the end.
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I think you’re right. She was still grieving her loss and the last thing on her mind was his unfinished work. I believe she did 🙂
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One woman’s trash is another one’s treasure. Great!
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Too many writers and artists aren’t appreciated in their own lifetimes. It’s such a shame.
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You’re right, Iain. It is a shame.
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Everyone here has already echoed my own thoughts–I hope she benefitted, as well as whoever finished up those manuscripts. Nicely done.
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I think she will benefit, thanks to Tess who took the initiative to get the manuscripts finished and published. Thanks, Linda 🙂
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Dear Adele,
May Mrs. MacQuoid take comfort in his memory and reap the benefits of royalties. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Yes, I can safely say that she will do both 🙂 Thanks.
Shalom,
Adele
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Nice that they got out there to be enjoyed in the end.
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Yes, it is 🙂
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Posthumous publications that almost never saw the light of day. Nice one.
My story!
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Thanks, Keith 🙂
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I like to think Tessa made sure Mrs. MacQuoid reaped some of the benefits from these best-sellers…
Lovely tale, Adele.
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Yes, I’m sure she did. It would have been what Mr. MacQuoid would have wanted for his wife. Thanks, Dale 🙂
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It’s a good thing Mrs. MacQuoid allowed Tess to have the manuscripts. Smart girl!!
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Yes, it’s a good thing that she did 🙂
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I did not know that about Roald Dahl. Thank you for sharing this fun, aspirational story!
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I didn’t know until I googled it. He was among 15 authors whose work was published after their deaths. You’re welcome and I’m delighted that you enjoyed the story 🙂
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As a collector of rejection letters, I have to say I’d rather be published while I’m alive! Nice story, Adele!
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I agree with you. It would have been nice if Mr. MacQuoid had finished a couple of his manuscripts and lived to see them published. Thanks, Penny.
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