A haunting story about more than it seems. Thanks, Walter.
Decades ago I stopped reading short stories as a genre. Having read masters, in my (long ago) youth, as well as my dad's pulp magazine stories, I grew frustrated with contemporary stories. Only occasionally would I be drawn into a tale, even then too often unsatisfied in the end. Most of the time they would leave me disinterested in the pages I'd just turned; worse than having not started it.
A gem of few words presenting complete personalities. I will be thinking about this one and these people for a very long time.
I love this story, and the writing is so good, I couldn't read it straight through. I kept stopping every few paragraphs to do something else, just to stretch the story out a bit longer. What a storyteller is Mr. Kirn🥰
Thank you for sharing that. I suspect it was a costly article to write. I hope you know how much it is appreciated. Blessings to you and your mother if she is still alive. And to your father.
"He had on a wrinkled pink polo shirt, dark glasses, and a baseball cap from Popular Mechanics. I sensed that he thought he looked inconspicuous, but to me he looked absurd. Also, profoundly, utterly fulfilled."
That's really funny....not sure why...maybe most people have one of those teenage, pre-adult moments where their father seems to suddenly personify the absurdity of the whole world you are about to be fully engulfed as an adult.
LOVED this so much - you have such a gift for writing intoxicating stories that haunt the reader for years. I still think about Creeps regularly, and suspect this one will be the same. Thank you.
Thank you, Walter. It was a pleasure to read this story and to have confidence in the storyteller's ability to tell it. I'm going to print it out and keep it for my family. More buried treasure for them to find.
Fabulous. It’s been so long since I’ve read a great short story. Thank you, Walter.
I have no doubt that every sentence is true, even if each of them is made up. I appreciate the tale, and thank you for sharing it, Walter.
Like father, like son?
A haunting story about more than it seems. Thanks, Walter.
Decades ago I stopped reading short stories as a genre. Having read masters, in my (long ago) youth, as well as my dad's pulp magazine stories, I grew frustrated with contemporary stories. Only occasionally would I be drawn into a tale, even then too often unsatisfied in the end. Most of the time they would leave me disinterested in the pages I'd just turned; worse than having not started it.
A gem of few words presenting complete personalities. I will be thinking about this one and these people for a very long time.
That is good stuff. I couldn't stop reading and paused all other distractions until the end. Thank you
The same goes for me, I have a brunch to prepare for, but I could not stop reading your story! Thank you for your amazing story, Walt!
I love this story, and the writing is so good, I couldn't read it straight through. I kept stopping every few paragraphs to do something else, just to stretch the story out a bit longer. What a storyteller is Mr. Kirn🥰
A brilliant, raw, American story.
Thank you for sharing that. I suspect it was a costly article to write. I hope you know how much it is appreciated. Blessings to you and your mother if she is still alive. And to your father.
Jaysus. Amazing writing. Just...carried me along...where it wanted...and left me...when it was done.
So many pitch perfect lines. Here's a good one:
"..A thin line down the middle of my body was all that I felt was left of me....."
My goodness Walter, you are a modern day master of the tale. An honor to read your work
"He had on a wrinkled pink polo shirt, dark glasses, and a baseball cap from Popular Mechanics. I sensed that he thought he looked inconspicuous, but to me he looked absurd. Also, profoundly, utterly fulfilled."
That's really funny....not sure why...maybe most people have one of those teenage, pre-adult moments where their father seems to suddenly personify the absurdity of the whole world you are about to be fully engulfed as an adult.
Anyway, thanks Walter...great little story!
Best tale I’ve read in an age! I thought compelling short stories were nearly extinct! Bravo Walter!
A wonderful story beautifully written. Thank you.
Captivating, and so full of emotion and thought. I could touch and feel it. Thank you. There’s a hoaxer in all of us.
LOVED this so much - you have such a gift for writing intoxicating stories that haunt the reader for years. I still think about Creeps regularly, and suspect this one will be the same. Thank you.
Thank you, Walter. It was a pleasure to read this story and to have confidence in the storyteller's ability to tell it. I'm going to print it out and keep it for my family. More buried treasure for them to find.
Such a beautiful story Walter. I loved when the father said “You’re next”. I received the same admonition from my Dad.
Thank you.