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| Jedidiah Paneak Photo byThalia Jacobs |
Touch
Brief Fiction By Lander VerHoef
A flickering fluorescent bulb painted the room in harsh tones of
blue and white that matched the chill in the air. A young man sat, huddling
into his coat. He was hardly more than a boy, of that particular age when body
and mind and soul are stumbling towards adulthood. Weariness hung heavy on his
eyelids, and heavier on his heart. He was far from home and in his short life,
had never felt more alone. And then she stood before him. A friend, and maybe,
when he dared to hope, maybe more.
"Hi," she said, and reached up to touch his face.
Her hand was like fire against his cold skin, and warmth flooded
his face. He covered her small hand in his, almost fearful she would pull away.
She didn't, and as his eyelids fell, his heart rose. He closed his eyes, and
smiled.
