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The Osprey
My short story of the month is called the Osprey. It’s one of several short stories I wrote during a real-world stint that I think was inspired by the writing group I was in at the time not being very into fantasy or science fiction.
This one’s very short. 1,410 words. I wrote it in November of 2009. Here’s a little info about it: Life is uncertain. Loved ones are sometimes ripped away unexpectedly and moving on can seem an insurmountable task.
The Osprey
by Erika Friedman“I have the same dream almost every night. I’m flying over the water. And calling your name. You never answer.” The clash of the dumpster being emptied into a garbage truck intrudes on the early morning. I stop, wait for the distraction to fade, as if fearful my voice won’t carry over it. “I guess you were right about the osprey.”
I turn around. The kitchen is unoccupied. Silent. Undisturbed. There are dirty plates on the table. The smell of mint tea hugs the apartment. My untouched mug still steams its invitation, sitting beside Jeremy’s eternally empty one.
“Baby, your absence is all I see of tomorrow.”
At the funeral I talk about the osprey that lost its mate to a fishing net at Huntington Lake. Jeremy heard its calls every morning of our vacation and thought it was grieving. What to me seemed like nothing more than a series of short whistles was a song of mourning to my fiancée. He
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Above the Demise of the World
Today I’m posting a short story I wrote in May through July of 2013, and edited a little tonight. Normally I’d like to have edited more before sharing it like this, but I want to stick to what I mentally committed too – posting a short story at the beginning of each month.
This one is sci-fi. 10,479 words. Here’s a blurb about it: The world is struggling with climate change. Food and water shortages, air that’s harmful to breathe, and strict population and environmental regulations shape people’s days. Amidst it all, Ethan and Tobias are trying to live normal and happy lives. Where will Ethan’s curiosity lead him when he starts investigating why all the homeless people have disappeared? Will the happiness of the life he’s forged with Tobias survive what he discovers?
Incidentally, this is the story that started as the First Sentence I posted earlier this week. Any constructive criticism and feedback is greatly appreciated, from typos to plot holes.
Above the Demise of the World
by Erika FriedmanIt starts with the homeless people, and at first it seems like I am the only one who notices. They are missing. Jimmy, on the corner of Brooke and Lambert. Jonathan, on the corner of Tennant and Davies. The rest I don’t know by name. I don’t want to, don’t want to stomach so much familiarity with tales of tragedy and despair. I never avert my eyes, always stop to help, but can’t be on