Short Story

I'm taking a creative writing class, which is a ton of fun. I wrote a 250 word short story as an exercise and I though some of you might like it. Constructive criticism is welcome. Thanks

~Sarah Rutti

Contact

Stan sighed and sank into the leather recliner. His large bachelor apartment was lavishly furnished, proof of the money and boredom that had occupied his life. Two months ago he had been free, free of any responsibility to anyone but himself. Then he had made the call, after finding the number scribbled in a public bathroom. He couldn’t remember why he had, but the call had changed his life.

***

The phone was ringing, its shrill chime echoed through her apartment.

“That’s odd,” she said, “I haven’t received my new number yet.”

Mrs. Wolfson had moved in only three weeks ago. Old, widowed, and barren, she had nothing holding her back from the journey to the Big City. She needed to leave, needed to get away from the memories and loneliness. Since her move, she hadn’t met a soul. After all her effort, she had found herself stuck with the same memories and seclusion that she had tried to leave behind. So who could be calling?

The phone kept ringing, like the bells of angles.

***

“She’s gone.” He whispered, “She’s gone,” he repeated a little loader this time. But why do I care? He questioned. His mind wrapped and unwrapped the delicate relationship that had developed between them. You hardly even knew her, his brain whispered, but his heart wouldn’t let go of his attachment, a connection that didn’t make sense, that he couldn’t explain.