Tag: short story

The Secret Admirer

He would stare at her all day, and she would glance past him each day. It was as if he were there. She stood in the balcony sometimes, reading her fancy poetry. Her golden locks would slide off her finger as she tried again and again to twirl them around it. She’d read intently, her eyes mirroring all the feelings she read about. He would just sit there, sluggish and drooling, as her eyes widened, smiled, cringed, and teared. He would just sit there longing for her to look at him. He would imagine her tender hand on his coarse cheek, he would picture himself in her arms, and he would fancy on as she finished her reading hour and went back inside. He could only imagine what it would be like, inside her house, in her presence. What it would be like to sit at her bedside as she slumbered. He loved every minute of her company.

He sighed. If only she knew he existed. Alas, he was just a toad.

Lingering Clue

lingering clue

“It’s too cold out there, Mark. Go read a book. Or play with your sister. Why do always want to go out into the snow?”

Mark hung his head and retreated. His mother had caught him sneaking through the door again. It wasn’t fair. He wanted to ski, and it was perfect outdoors. Maybe he’d try again later.

Mark was a great brother. His sister loved spending time with him and sharing gossip. She even told him about her first crush.

His mother was proud of him too. He was the ideal son, a good brother, and a gentleman in the making. So unlike the man in her life who had left her to chase his passion — never to return. But Mark was different. He was always there to care for his family.

Until 92′.

“I’ve got a chance to participate in the Winter Olympics preliminary round,” he announced, his voice echoing through the room.

Catherine remembered. Her brother used to clean up his snow-smudged shoes every morning.