Green for Go. The hustle and bustle. The crowded market. The anxiety. Tell yourself they've all been vaccinated. Tell yourself the numbers are small. Faces unmasked. Breathing. Germs. Raw meat. Sweating. Palpitations. Get out. An open street and space. Relax, everything is normal. The green signal flashes. Step out onto the road. The driver doesn't … Continue reading EASING RESTRICTIONS
'It is a given, Sir. It is only a matter of time.' 'Nothing is a given yet.' 'The votes are almost all counted. You have it, Sir. You will be appointed the next leader of the country.' His eyes gleamed and I had to stop myself from giving in to his enthusiasm and optimism. 'There … Continue reading PROPHECY
Tennessee, 1865: Mary-Louise folded the newspaper in half and laid it down and looked at her husband. 'We should at least give President Johnson a chance. He's sayin' he wants to bring the country together. You don't think that's a good idea?' Tennessee, 2020: Roddy turned off the television and looked at his wife. 'You … Continue reading TIME LOOP
'Are they close enough together?' He looked at the room. It seemed crowded and cluttered, but apparently that's how they used to do it. 'Four round that small table?' They would be banging elbows. 'It's how they wanted it,' the maitre d' shrugged. The serving staff would have trouble manoeuvring in and out the small … Continue reading NOSTALGIA
Black and white images from the past. Not hers, someone else's. The smiling portrait of a young woman, an elderly couple in front of their house, a grandfather, a brother and sister. A family, a historical document of a happy life. $1 for the basket. The seller had no idea who the people in the … Continue reading SURROGATES
