Corners of My Mind is a captivating collection of American short stories that promises to be the ideal companion for your next flight or bedtime routine. This eclectic assortment of tales delves into the lives of ordinary people who find themselves thrust into extraordinary situations, weaving a rich tapestry of human experience.
Within these pages, master storyteller Travis Short draws upon a vast array of sources-his own life, the lives of those around him, and flights of imagination. Each story emerges from a unique spark, be it a vivid dream, a fleeting conversation, or an evocative image. From soldiers and preachers to lonely women and even talking dogs, the characters in Corners of My Mind are as diverse as the stories themselves.
In "Old Men Cry Too Easily," readers are introduced to Jacob Monroe, whose seventy-sixth birthday is overshadowed by the haze of Alzheimer's, blurring the lines between celebration and reality. "Trimming Trees for God" unfolds the tale of a radio minister whose charisma ensnares an agnostic listener, leading to a dramatic personal upheaval when the listener's wife leaves him for the pastor. In "Lap Dance" reveals the heartbreak of a widower who is swindled out of his life savings by a seductive pole dancer. "Extra! Extra! Read All About It," a headline provides an unexpected lifeline to a man caught in the throes of infidelity. "In from the Cold" tells of a young soldier abandoned on a frigid North Korean mountain after escaping an abusive home life. Meanwhile, "Julius the Talking Dog" features a canine with remarkable intellect who converses with his master about the Tibetan concept of transference, while maintaining a peculiar silence around everyone else.
Each story in Corners of My Mind is imbued with unexpected twists and poignant moments that linger long after the last page is turned. Dive into this collection for a journey through the surprising and often profound corners of the human experience.