A Sudden Shift in the Air

April 30, 2026

by Joan

1 min read

Story Premise 1 min read (186 words)

"My dear friend Lena was fading away in a hospital bed. Her sister phoned to say the time was near. I could not bring myself to go; my truck was broken, and I feared my tears would only sadden her. So I remained in my house, my sorrow coming in waves throughout the empty day. […]"

My dear friend Lena was fading away in a hospital bed. Her sister phoned to say the time was near. I could not bring myself to go; my truck was broken, and I feared my tears would only sadden her. So I remained in my house, my sorrow coming in waves throughout the empty day. I did nothing of value.

Then, as evening drew in, a strange calm settled over me. A profound gratitude for my own small life, for my children’s laughter, filled me up. The fact that I had not made dinner seemed unimportant, so I called for Chinese food. We were just opening the containers when the telephone rang. It was Lena’s sister, saying she had passed away peacefully that afternoon, right when my own spirit had felt so light. The grief returned, heavy and sharp, and stayed with me for hours.

That night, ready for sleep, I did something I had never done. I took a smooth, gray stone from my windowsill and curled my fingers around it. I slept, and I dreamed the old clock on my wall began to chime.

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