The Visit

Short story

I just realized how little I’ve given you all by way of fiction so here is another story from my collection, which is already out in India and soon to be out in the US.

Acknowledgements:

This story has been published in: N+1, May 2013.

The Visit

In September, Anita left Mark. She wrote out instructions for Maya, packed two bags and took a taxi to Hopkins Airport in Cleveland. From there, she flew down to New York’s LaGuardia.

Ohio spread below like a chequer board of green and brown. East coast rolled so close she could smell it like rain. It was only for two weeks. Two weeks that permitted, no matter how fleeting, the smallest thrill of betrayal.

The key, as Anjali had promised, was with the doorman who, in his grey suit and fixed stare, made Anita feel shabby after the long journey from Columbus. She gave him her name, signed the visitor’s register and …