10 Comments
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Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

Wonderful little vignette, reads in part a bit like autofiction!

Jon (Animated)'s avatar

I loved how the three characters, each a little lost, found warmth in conversation and reflection. That final image of the moonlit tree is just perfect. It was quietly meditative.

Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Thanks so much, Jon!

Apologies; I'm terribly behind on everything.

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

This has the quality of a fairy tale, minus the magic and the fairies (but with the animal spirit...) Vividly realized, Kate - I felt like I was pulled up on the next seat at the counter with them.

Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Thanks so much, Troy, and sorry for my massive delay! Life just now :)

Love that it could be both fairy tale and real life drawn in. Yes, I didn't imagine quite as part of the real world, could have drifted off into the surreal if I allowed it to continue...

Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

“Wow, I always thought the Europeans here were more…superficial?" Ouch!

Lots going on here, Kate and I enjoyed the bear story (though a sad ending). I'm glad that the discreet (24-hour neon lit) charm of the konbini has entered your mind!

Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Ha, have I struck a chord? I do always wonder what the generalized feelings are about 'others' and then how those feelings break apart.

Thanks for reading, Jeffrey!

Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

I don't know the answer, but I wonder if “European” is a category much used here for those generalised feelings, as opposed to “Westerner”?

Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Probably 'Westerner' - ? I guess I don't like the word Westerner so I avoid it!

Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

I don't like it much either! 😊