[The following short story made the shortlist of the recent Limnisa Short Story Competition 2020: “Although your story couldn’t make it into the top five it was on the short list of twenty five, out of five hundred entries, and was rated highly by some of our judges.”]
There it is. Just one word.
Down in the corner at the bottom of the screen.
REWIRING
I skim the ad, breath held. Catherine, I think. This would be perfect for Catherine.
My phone rings, on cue.
“Catherine?” I try.
There’s a muffled sound. My sister is crying, which isn’t at all like her.
“What’s happened?” I ask in a low voice. “Is it” – what was his name this time? – “Nick?”