What I Hear by Mary Robison, 1998
The magic trick:
Portraying loneliness through a woman’s two troubled relationships
Mary Robison takes us to Anchorage today in this very short short story. The narrator shows us glimpses of two relationships – that with her daughter, and that with her almost-boyfriend.
Neither is in good shape.
She’s competing for their attention. Their distractions are very different, but the same dissatisfied feeling of disconnect is the same. As a story, it makes for an interesting comparison.
And that’s quite a trick on Robison’s part.
The selection:
“Am I bothering you?” I ask her. If I am, she doesn’t say. Should I ask her again to open these crinkly presents I’ve brought? She’s in something like pain when it comes to opening gifts, so I really have to think. Or I can be quiet. I don’t need entertainment. That pretty hair barrette is sliding down. No, I won’t touch it.
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.
Short Story Magic Tricks 