HLH_Shortcuts '25 "Metaphorically Speaking" (story written for me)

[brightknightie]

hlh_shortcuts '25 continues releasing its exchange stories -- 16 now available; 4 yet to go -- and the one written for my prompt slate revealed yesterday:

"Metaphorically Speaking" (anonymous at this time)
G, gen
~4K words
Richie, Angie, mention of Joe

This story delivers a familiar, favorite concept -- Angie encountering Richie after he let her believe he was dead -- in a fresh new way with "page-turner" energy. Enough years have passed that Richie's failure to age cannot be ignored or laughed off; not enough years have passed that he can pose as his own son or grandson. Angie is in the midst of a mess on top of a mess, emotionally vulnerable while still immensely strong, and this shock doesn't go down easy.

The author worked hard to include a lot of things I like, quietly stuffing character-rounding and world-building into the cracks between speech and action.

Comments

[havocthecat]

This sounds like a you story; I'm very glad you received it!