Weekend by Amy Hempel, 1997
The magic trick:
Pushing a story along with no readily apparent conflict
Where’s the drama here? Where’s the conflict? Everything seems so nice.
Then we get the last sentence. The only conflict is that the weekend has to end. Interesting way to generate emotion. And that’s quite a trick on Hempel’s part.
The selection:
“It’s not who wins – ” their coach began, and was shouted down by one of the boys, “There’s first and there’s forget it.”
Then Hunter retrieved a foul ball and carried it off in the direction of the river.
The other dogs followed – barking, mutinous.
As always, join the conversation in the comments section below, on SSMT Facebook or on Twitter @ShortStoryMT.
Subscribe to the Short Story Magic Tricks Monthly Newsletter to get the latest short story news, contests and fun.