I’m not sure how I came across this short story. Perhaps a fellow blogger reviewed it or perhaps I saw it while looking through other short stories posted on The Walrus.
The story opens, “She hasn’t eaten like this in years. She’s ordered the quiche, two pancakes with local maple syrup, and then, a few minutes ago, she went back up to the counter and ordered a bag of day-old lemon cream scones.”
She appears to be lost in her newspaper but she is really, lost. She doesn’t live by the diner and she is staying in a hotel nearby. She has left with her husband’s blessing to think things over and decide what she wants to do with the rest of her life.
The man at the next table over can’t help but notice her. “She weighs 120 pounds.” How can she eat all that. He would like to start up a conversation with her but all he can think to say is “Hungry huh?” He knows that’s lame and remains quiet.
This story could have just as easily taken place in a bar. The woman and the man sitting close by are obviously lost souls. She could have just as easily been drowning her sorrows in alcohol as she was in quiche and pastries. The story doesn’t really go anywhere however, it is worthwhile. It is written in crisp and thought provoking prose, with an interesting character study. This is the first thing I have read by Michael Redhill but it certainly wont be the last. Click on the link to read “Breaking Fast.”
If you would like to participate in Short Story Mondays or just find out about some great short stories, go to John of The Book Mine Set. He has a short story review every Monday and a place for you to link your short story reviews. Come join in the fun!
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